Mark Lawrenson is backing Tottenham Hotspur to beat Leicester City today.
Mark Lawrenson
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Tottenham Hotspur will beat Leicester City 2-1 at White Hart Lane this afternoon.
Spurs remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season, but the momentum generated by the 2-0 win over league leaders Manchester City earlier this month appears to have evaporated.
Tottenham have failed to win their last four games since the international break, drawing three times – scoring just once in those games – before a 2-1 away defeat at Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
General View of White Hart Lane
Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to get back to winning ways as Spurs take on Leicester City this afternoon, as they host the team who they challenged for the Premier League title last season.
The Foxes claimed the title last term, but have endured an up-and-down start to the new season. Last weekend’s 3-1 home win over Crystal Palace was a major boost, but heavy defeats against Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea mean Leicester still only lie in 13th place.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Manager Claudio Ranieri has seen his side excel in the Champions League, but struggle to replicate that form in the Premier League, and he’ll be hoping to generate some momentum this afternoon.
Ahead of the game, pundit Mark Lawrenson has offered his prediction to BBC Sport, suggesting that Tottenham will beat Leicester 2-1 as both teams prepare for their midweek Champions League games.
Lawrenson thinks that Tottenham will return to winning ways after something of a blip, factoring in Leicester’s terrible defensive record away from home so far this season.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri
“By their standards, Tottenham have had a blip by drawing their last two games,” said Lawrenson. “Things did not go their way at West Brom or Bournemouth but, even so, they did not lose and they are still the only unbeaten top-flight team this season. Tottenham could have Toby Alderweireld back from injury to play at centre-half against Leicester, but Eric Dier looks perfectly happy there if he is not ready yet.”
“We know the system Spurs will play – that does not change – and the great thing for their manager Mauricio Pochettino is that when the personnel changes, it is still business as usual. I see them returning to winning ways on Saturdays, helped by the fact that Leicester’s away league form – they have lost four games out of four on the road, conceding 13 goals.”
“The Foxes’ Champions League form has been outstanding which makes up for the fact they have been inconsistent domestically. It looks like they will get out of their group and be involved in Europe after Christmas so this is still going to be a good season for them, even if they remain in mid-table in the Premier League,” he added.
What’s your prediction for Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City?
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