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Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Jose Mourinho has demanded a response from his Tottenham Hotspur players when they host West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs have lost three games in a row to completely end any hope of a title challenge, while West Brom are winless in four and are facing a swift return to the Championship.


Match preview

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho pictured on January 2, 2021© Reuters

Thursday's 1-0 loss to former club Chelsea has increased the pressure on Mourinho, who has faced criticism for recent results and his pragmatic style of play.

Tottenham were deservedly beaten on home soil in a game in which they managed only two shots on target, making it just two wins in their last 10 league matches.

The North London outfit are now seven points adrift of the top four, albeit with a game in hand to play on Liverpool, who are in that final Champions League qualification spot.

Mourinho may have guided Spurs to the final of the EFL Cup, into the last 16 of the FA Cup and last 32 of the Europa League, but the Portuguese will know that results and performances simply have to improve in the Premier League.

The Lilywhites' losing streak has coincided with the injury loss of Harry Kane, with the likes of Son Heung-min, Carlos Vinicius and Bale unable to step up and replace the talismanic skipper.

After suffering back-to-back home losses for the first time in his managerial career, Mourinho will see this visit of West Brom as the ideal chance to stop the rot.

West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce reacts on January 16, 2021© Reuters

The Baggies have themselves struggled for points of late, collecting just one from the last 12 on offer - a 2-2 draw with Fulham last week.

Albion followed that up with a 2-1 loss to bottom side Sheffield United, however, and they are now 10 points from safety, having played a game more than 17th-placed Burnley.

Sam Allardyce's appointment has not had the desired impact, the Baggies having conceded 26 league goals in nine matches under the experienced manager - as many as they shipped in 13 games under Slaven Bilic.

West Brom have won just one of their last 14 away games against Spurs in all competitions - a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane in September 2014.

Tottenham have lost just one of their last 26 Premier League home games against promoted clubs, meanwhile, going down 3-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2018.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form: WDWLLL
Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions): DWWLLL

West Bromwich Albion Premier League form: LWLLDL
West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions): LWLLDL


Team News

Gareth Bale in action for Spurs against Marine on January 10, 2021© Reuters

Kane will sit out a third straight game this weekend, but Mourinho is hopeful of having the England international back for next week's showdown with Manchester City.

Sergio Reguilon has also been badly missed at left-back and remains absent here, while Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso complete Tottenham's injury and suspension list.

Mourinho will surely be tempted to rotate his side on the back of the loss to Chelsea, which could mean Gareth Bale coming in for a third league start since re-joining on loan.

Fellow forward Son has been directly involved in 16 goals in his last 15 Premier League appearances against promoted sides, scoring nine and assisting seven.

As for West Brom, Grady Diangana is back in training after sustaining a thigh problem and a late decision will be made on his availability.

The Baggies brought in Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Okay Yokuslu on deadline day and, having been ineligible to face Sheffield United, they could make their debuts on Sunday.

Conor Gallagher, Kieran Gibbs and Darnell Furlong will also be hoping to earn a place in the starting lineup for this crucial clash.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Rodon, Davies; Hojbjerg, Winks; Bale, Ndombele, Bergwijn; Son

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Gibbs; Snodgrass, Livermore, Maitland-Niles, Gallagher; Pereira; Diagne


SM words green background

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

The pressure is slowly starting to build on Mourinho on the back of three successive league losses, two of those on home soil.

West Brom have taken points away at Man City and Liverpool this season, but Allardyce's men had their confidence battered with defeat to Sheffield United in midweek and it is difficult to see them responding here.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


ID:433903:cQx

How you voted: Spurs vs West Brom

Tottenham Hotspur
80.9%
Draw
9.6%
West Bromwich Albion
9.6%
94
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho pictured on January 9, 2021
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Jose Mourinho: "I put pressure on myself every day"
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City23165246143253
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd24137450311946
3Leicester CityLeicester24144642261646
4Liverpool24117645321340
5Chelsea23116638241439
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham2311663428639
7Everton2211473430437
8Aston Villa22113836241236
9Tottenham HotspurSpurs23106736251136
10Arsenal24104103125634
11Leeds UnitedLeeds23102114042-232
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2486102532-730
13Southampton2385103039-929
14Crystal Palace2485112742-1529
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2451182530-526
16Burnley2375111729-1226
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2374122538-1325
18Fulham2339111931-1218
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2427151955-3613
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2332181537-2211

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