Plucky Terriers could keep Spurs at bay in first half
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Mauricio Pochettino has declared his undying affection for Harry Kane but there will be nothing particularly romantic about the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium.
The two Tottenham lovebirds have enjoyed their days away in recent times – Spurs have copped on their last six road trips in all competitions, a sequence of triumphs in which Kane has banged in 14 goals.
It's hardly a surprise, then, that they go off 2-5 shots at Huddersfield.
However, Spurs misfired after their last European assignment as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Swansea just days after defeating Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
You could argue that given Tottenham’s teething problems at Wembley they are a better proposition on their travels anyway, but having had to work hard in Cyprus against Apoel on Tuesday this might not be the worst time to be taking them on.
Huddersfield may not have the firepower to trouble Tottenham – since their opening 3-0 win at Crystal Palace they have managed to score just two goals in five games.
But in all five of those matches, the scoreline has been 0-0 at the interval and it’s worth betting that Town can go in at half-time all-square again.
The one thing David Wagner has shown in his short time in the top flight is that he knows how to organise a team and get them working so Pochettino’s side know they will be worked hard.
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Huddersfield boast an absolute gem of a centre-back in Christopher Schindler. The German is relatively unheralded at the moment but any sort of a decent containing job on Kane will get tongues wagging.
Equally, Jonathan Hogg is the type of tenacious midfielder who will chase tails all day, and he’ll be snapping away at Christian Eriksen, giving the Danish star little chance to shine.
Their work-rate is going to have to be mirrored by the rest of the home 11 but the evidence suggests the Terriers have the tools to frustrate Spurs.
Shut-outs of Palace, Newcastle, Southampton and Burnley are testament to the shape Huddersfield keep.
Stifling a team such as Saints, who are woeful in front of goal, is one thing but doing the same to Tottenham is something else.
Kane has scored nine in his last five, Eriksen helped to create two for the striker against West Ham last week and scored the third himself and they have not even had to unleash Fernando Llorente yet.
Spurs have a few injuries and one or two may be leggy after their Cypriot test, where they were given a tough time for long periods, but Dele Alli, Jan Vertonghen and Eriksen will be fresh and the Londoners are hard to oppose.
Huddersfield are sitting in eighth on nine points having lost only one of their last six games and are competitive enough to make Tottenham earn the victory.
Recommendation
Half-time draw
1pt 7-5 bet365, Betfair, Betway
Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com
Team news
Huddersfield
Steve Mounie, Collin Quaner and Danny Williams, who all missed the draw against Burnley, are still out.
Tottenham
Serge Aurier is suspended. Mousa Dembele, Danny Rose, Victor Wanyama and Erik Lamela are injured. Christian Eriksen has recovered from illness.
Key stat
Spurs have won their last six away games in all competitions, scoring 24 goals.
Published on 29 September 2017inPremier League
Last updated 20:07, 29 September 2017
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