A cracking first clash to start Super Sunday and George Pitts expects Heung-min Son to continue to inspire Spurs in the absence of Harry Kane.
Tottenham v Leicester (1330 KO at Sky Sports Premier League)
Three years ago, these sides were fighting it out for the Premier League title and now Tottenham are looking to stick in the title race.
Mauricio Pochettino's side are five points adrift of leaders Man City, albeit with a game in hand, and improved form of three wins in their last four has put them back into the mix.
That is despite injuries to Dele Alli and Harry Kane and the return of Heung-min Son from the Asian Games has given them a timely boost - the South Korean has picked up where he left off with two goals in as many appearances.
Leicester, meanwhile, are without a win in their last five in all competitions and pressure continues to surround Claude Puel, despite the Foxes sitting safely in mid-table.
They have beaten Chelsea and Man City in recent months and were unlucky to be defeated by Man United last time out.
This match has produced thrillers in recent seasons, with the 5-4 in 2017/18 and 6-1 in 2016/17 (both in Spurs' favour) springing to mind. Let's hope for more of the same.
Betting guide
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Leicester City (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)
This match has produced some crackers over the years and hopefully we see be treated to another, but the feeling is it will be a little closer this time. In the two high-scoring matches mentioned, Harry Kane contributed six goals while another outlet for goals in Pochettino's team is Dele Alli, so both will be a big miss. Son can be the man to inspire the hosts though and keep them in the hunt.
Best bet: Heung-min Son to score 2+ goals at 6/1
The forward has been getting the recognition he deserves and can step up in the absence of Kane. He has 14 goals this season and has scored two or more in three games. Considering he is nearly odds-on to score anytime here, it is worth looking at first, last or for two or more to find value from a small stake.
RequestABet: Tottenham to win, over 2.5 total goals and Heung-min Son to score last at 8/1
Opta stats
- Tottenham have won three of their last four Premier League games against Leicester City (L1), winning the last two in a row. They haven’t won three consecutive league matches versus the Foxes since February 1987.
- Leicester failed to score in the reverse fixture against Spurs, losing 0-2. They last failed to net in two consecutive league games against the Lilywhites in November 2000.
- Leicester have won just one of their last 11 Premier League away games in London (D4 L6), beating Chelsea on their last such visit in December.
- Tottenham have set a new Premier League record of going 29 Premier League games without a single draw. The last top-flight team to have a longer run were Portsmouth between March 1928-February 1929 (38 games).
- Tottenham have lost three of their five Sunday Premier League games this season (W2), including their only previous one at home so far (0-1 vs Manchester United).
- Leicester are one of just three non ‘big six’ sides to have won away against such a team this season (1-0 vs Chelsea), along with Wolves and Crystal Palace.
- Tottenham have won their last three Premier League games thanks to goals scored in the final 10 minutes of games.
- Leicester’s Jamie Vardy has been directly involved in seven goals in his last seven Premier League appearances against Tottenham (4 goals, 3 assists), netting three goals in his last two against them.
- Spurs attacker Son Heung-Min has had a hand in five goals in his last two Premier League starts against Leicester, scoring three and assisting two.
- Son Heung-min has had a hand in 14 goals in his last 11 starts in the Premier League for Tottenham, scoring 10 and assisting four.
Odds correct as of 1500 GMT on 08/02/19
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