Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at White Hart Lane

Gareth Bale celebrates his goal for Tottenham (Getty Images)

Spurs face Southampton with an opportunity to leapfrog Arsenal into the coveted fourth place, albeit temporarily. Villas-Boas’ side will be hoping to mount some serious pressure on their north London rivals ahead of their game against QPR later in the afternoon, when they will be able to seize back the initiative.

Spurs’ top-scorer Gareth Bale will face his former side after a week in which he added the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year to his collection of PFA awards. He, in particular, will be looking to improve on a subdued performance against Wigan last week to prove he is indeed the best player in the country.

Southampton will be looking to bounce back after last week’s 3-0 loss to West Brom. The loss was preceded by a six match unbeaten run and Mauricio Pochettino has much to do to get his side back on track after what he described as the ‘worst defeat’ since he has been at the club. The performance was compounded by red cards to Fox and Ramirez who will be suspended for the match against Spurs.

KICK-OFF:Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Southampton 1 (Rodriguez) Tottenham 2 (Bale, Dempsey), Premier League, October 2012   

Southampton 1 (Quashie) Tottenham 0, Premier League, March 2005        

Tottenham 5 (Defoe 3, Kanoute, Keane) Southampton 1 (Crouch), Premier League, December 2004  

STATS…

Spurs have scored 12 goals from outside the area this season, more than any other club. Bale has contributed to 7 of these, more than any other player in the league.

Southampton have not conceded an away goal for 281 minutes, whilst only winning two of their last 11 games on the road.

Of the last 11 fixtures at White Hart Lane between the two sides, Spurs have won nine and lost twice.

Spurs have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ninePremier League games.

ODDS…

Tottenham to win: 1.5

Southampton to win: 7.8

Draw: 4.7

TV: highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm.