Tottenham Hotspur have won the fewest aerial duels per game in the Premier League so far, and their inability to dominate has cost them in their past two games.
Sunday’s shock 1-0 loss at home to West Bromwich Albion meant that Spurs are without a win in four, and Mauricio Pochettino’s side must improve quickly after a disappointing run of results.
Tottenham are the worst side in the division in the air, as they have won fewer headers per game than any other side after five matches, and their lack of aerial superiority has cost them in their past two games against Sunderland and West Brom.
A late Harry Kane own goal at Sunderland cost Spurs two points as they failed to defend a free-kick from the edge of the area, and terrible marking from a corner allowed James Morrison to score what proved to be the winner on Sunday.
Spurs have won just 10.4 aerial duels per game so far, and they must improve in the air if they are to start picking up clean sheets once again.
| Goals | Goals Conceded | Aerial Won / played | Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stoke City | 4 | 5 | 30.00 | 5 |
| Burnley | 1 | 4 | 22.80 | 5 |
| Crystal Palace | 8 | 10 | 21.80 | 5 |
| Leicester City | 9 | 8 | 21.60 | 5 |
| Hull City | 7 | 7 | 19.00 | 5 |
| Newcastle United | 5 | 11 | 18.40 | 5 |
| Arsenal | 10 | 6 | 16.80 | 5 |
| West Ham United | 9 | 8 | 16.60 | 5 |
| Queens Park Rangers | 3 | 11 | 16.40 | 5 |
| Manchester United | 9 | 8 | 15.80 | 5 |
| Chelsea | 16 | 7 | 15.80 | 5 |
| Liverpool | 7 | 8 | 14.80 | 5 |
| Sunderland | 5 | 6 | 14.60 | 5 |
| Manchester City | 8 | 5 | 13.80 | 5 |
| Southampton | 9 | 3 | 13.80 | 5 |
| Everton | 11 | 13 | 13.20 | 5 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 3 | 7 | 12.60 | 5 |
| Swansea City | 8 | 6 | 11.60 | 5 |
| Aston Villa | 4 | 4 | 11.00 | 5 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 7 | 6 | 10.40 | 5 |
Stoke have won an average of 30 headers per appearance – 20 more per game than Spurs – and Pochettino will surely be concerned about his team’s weakness in the air.
Federico Fazio was brought in last month to shore up the defence, and the 6ft 5in centre-back could help to solve the problem in the air.
The Argentine defender made his debut in the Europa League last Thursday and helped Spurs to a clean sheet against Partizan Belgrade, and he will be hoping to make his mark in the Premier League soon.
Spurs travel to fierce rivals Arsenal on Saturday night, and the Gunners have may look to exploit Spurs’ weaknesses in the air from set-pieces in what is a crucial game.
Arsene Wenger’s side have been the seventh-best side in the air so far, and Spurs may need to bring Fazio into the starting lineup in what will be a testing game.
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