Tottenham Hotspur welcomes Sheffield United on Sunday in just their third game after the sacking of their manager Jose Mourinho.
Interim manager Ryan Mason, who also played for Tottenham, will be taking charge of his second ever Premier League game and the third overall in his managerial career. In a game that is of immense significance for the London club, they will be looking to get three points that will help stake their claim for a top 4 finish.
Spurs have been in poor form and have won just one of their last 5 games in all competitions, losing 2 and drawing 2. They last lost against Man City in the Carabao Cup final, a game that ended in tears for the Lilywhites. Tottenham have been through a topsy-turvy season, leading the league at one time, but now find themselves in 7th position and face the prospect of being without European football for next season.
They go into this fixture as the favourites, although Sheffield United are no walkovers and will certainly give them a tough fight. Tottenham currently have 53 points, 5 less than 4th placed Chelsea.
The already-relegated Sheffield United will be hoping to end the season on a high and get as many wins as they can. The management will already be thinking about their next season in the Championship and three points on Sunday will give them a much-needed break. The Blades were last in action against Brighton and Hove Albion at home and they won 1-0, thanks to a David McGoldrick strike. The Blades players will be hoping to give their fans something to celebrate in what has been a dismal season, which saw the club stay in the 20th position for most of the season. Interim manager Paul Heckingbottom will surely go into each game aiming to get the maximum as he targets the head coach position at the South Yorkshire club.
TEAM NEWS:
Tottenham Hotspur saw the return of Harry Kane last Sunday after he was feared to be ruled out for the Cup final. Defender Ben Davies is ruled out of the game. However, Matt Doherty is a doubt for the game and could miss out. Barring these two, interim manager Ryan Mason is expected to have a full squad at his disposal for Sunday’s game.
Sheffield United have many on the treatment table, with Billy Sharp, Jack O’Connell, and Oli McBurnie all injured and ruled out of Sunday’s game. However, Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge is set to return to the squad. Left-back Jack Robinson is a major doubt ahead of the trip to London.
PREDICTED LINEUPS:
Tottenham XI: Hugo Lloris; Sergio Reguillon, Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier, Serge Aurier; Giovani Lo Celso, Pierre-Emile Hojberg, Dele Alli; Heung-min Son, Harry Kane, Gareth Bale.
Sheffield XI: Aaron Ramsdale; George Baldock, Kean Bryan, John Egan; Jayden Bogle, John Fleck, Oliver Norwood, Enda Stevens; Ben Osborn; David McGoldrick, Rhian Brewster.
PREDICTIONS:
Tottenham Hotspur vs Sheffield United: 1-1
