Premier League: Tottenham v Stoke match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture at White Hart Lane

Stoke manager Tony Pulis (GETTY IMAGES)

When these two sides met at the Britannia Stadium just over a year ago it was Stoke who ended Tottenham’s 11 match unbeaten run.

This time it will be Andre Villas-Boas Spurs side who will look for retribution and attempt to end the Potters’ superb run of form which has seen them go without defeat in their previous seven games.

The foundation of Stoke’s recent excellent run comes from their almost exemplary defensive record; the meanest defence in the Premier League have conceded just three in their past seven games.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

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

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

Stoke 0 Tottenham 0 (Stoke won 7-6 on penalties) League Cup, September 2011

STATS…

Spurs have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight previous Premier League fixtures with Stoke.

Tottenham have suffered only two defeats in their last 17 Premier League games in the month of December (W10 D5 L2).

No side have drawn 0-0 more often in the top five European Leagues this season than the Potters (4).

Spurs have not conceded a goal in the opening 15 minutes of a Premier League game this season; the only side yet to do so.

ODDS…

Tottenham to win: 1.65

Stoke to win: 6.4

Draw: 4

CLASSIC MATCH

Tottenham’s 11-match unbeaten run came to an end courtesy of former winger Matthew Etherington’s brace to give Stoke their third straight win.

Spurs were aggrieved with many decisions by referee Chris Foy throughout the match, including the harsh dismissal of Younnes Kaboul for two bookable offences.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored a consolation penalty for the visitors after Luka Modric was fouled.

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm on MOTD