Premier League: Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur match preview

A look ahead to Sunday’s Premier League fixture at the Britannia

Scott Parker of Tottenham Hotspur is closed down by Peter Crouch and Dean Whitehead of Stoke City (Getty Images)

After their 2-2 draw to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, nothing but two wins from their last two games will keep Tottenham in with a shout of playing Champions League football next season as the race for third and fourth is now out of their hands.

Stoke have all but guaranteed their safety and look set to compete in their sixth straight season in the Premier League come August. With that in mind, Spurs may take advantage of the fact that the Potters have nothing to play and will just want to see out the rest of the season.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas will be determined to make Champions League qualification in his first campaign in charge of the Lilywhites after failing to get the better of his former employers Chelsea on Wednesday.

But as most Premier League teams know, the Britannia is a ground where goals are hard to come by, so Tottenham will have to take whatever chances that come their way to snatch their first away win since March.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 1.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Tottenham 0 Stoke 0, Premier League, December 2012

Tottenham 1 (Van der Vaart) Stoke 1 (Jerome), Premier League, March 2012

Stoke 2 (Etherington 2), Tottenham 1 (Adebayor), Premier League, December 2011

STATS...

Tottenham have not won at the Britannia since August 2010.

Spurs have not lost a game in 90 minutes since their home defeat to Fulham in March.

Stoke have scored just 32 goals in the league this season, the second lowest behind QPR.

But the Potters have conceded just 42 goals in the league all season. Only the top four and Everton have conceded less.

ODDS…

Stoke to win: 4.00

Tottenham to win: 1.90

Draw: 3.40

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 1.30pm, highlights on BBC 1 at 10.25pm