Tottenham v Southampton predictions: Spurs can stay on the top-four trail

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 7.45pm Wednesday

Best bet

Tottenham to win and both teams to score
1pt 12-5 bet365

Team news

Tottenham
Japhet Tanganga, Oliver Skipp and Eric Dier will need to be assessed after missing Saturday's 3-1 victory over Brighton with minor injuries.

Southampton
Alex McCarthy (thigh) remains unavailable.

Match preview

Tottenham's unbeaten start to life under Antonio Conte (nine Premier League games) came to an end with last month's 2-0 loss at Chelsea, but they remain well placed in the battle for Champions League qualification and can improve their chances with a high-scoring home win over Southampton.

Conte is the first person to stress that his work in north London has only just started, but his impact on results and performances has been obvious with Spurs getting their just rewards for playing with noticeably greater focus, energy and intensity.

Since the Italian's arrival they have averaged 2.10 points per game (the third-best in the division behind Manchester City and Liverpool) and they successfully got the Chelsea defeat out of their system with an impressive 3-1 success at home to Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round.

Winning the FA Cup and finishing in the top four are Tottenham's main objectives for the rest of the season and their chances have been boosted by the deadline-day signings of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevksi.

Both of the new arrivals showed positive signs when coming off the bench against Brighton, although there is no rush to bring them into the starting eleven.

Spurs looked incisive in attack against the Seagulls with Harry Kane helping himself to two goals and Heung-Min Son showing no ill effects on his return from injury.

And their offensive ability will be the key to defeating Southampton, who rarely take a backward step irrespective of the opposition.

Saints seem to relish taking on the big guns and picked up their second point against Manchester City last month when holding Pep Guardiola's to a 1-1 draw at St Mary's Stadium.

Southampton have scored in ten of their last 12 games but their run of matches without a clean sheet stands at 13, and their defensive vulnerabilities are a concern given the quality of opposition they face at Spurs.

Nonetheless Ralph Hasenhuttl is unlikely to alter his high-pressing style and his team could cause problems for Tottenham's defence who looked far from secure against Brighton.

Hugo Lloris was kept quite busy at the weekend with Brighton edging the shot count 13 to 12, and he may have to wait a little longer to register his first clean sheet since the 1-0 triumph at Watford on New Year's Day.

Spurs have not managed a home shutout since a 3-0 success over injury and illness-hit Crystal Palace on Boxing Day, and the trend of high-scoring home games could continue against the Saints although the quality of Conte's forwards should get them the three points.

Key stat

Tottenham have won and both teams have scored in three of the last five games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Inside info

Tottenham

Penalty taker Harry Kane
Free-kick wizard Harry Kane
Set-piece aerial threat Davinson Sanchez
Card magnet Cristian Romero

Southampton

Penalty taker James Ward-Prowse
Free-kick wizardJames Ward-Prowse
Set-piece aerial threatJan Bednarek
Card magnetMohammed Salisu

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