Tottenham vs. Wolves
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Kick off: 4PM
Tottenham Hotspur could temporarily close the gap at the top of the Premier League table to just three points when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Wembley this afternoon.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side go into their final game of 2018 having established themselves as genuine title contenders, while Wolves sit 11th at the halfway stage of the campaign.
Just a week ago, Tottenham were considered outside title challengers at best, but a stunning spell of form – coupled with unexpected slip-ups for Manchester City – have seen them storm into the position of Liverpool’s closest competitors.
Jurgen Klopp’s side remain six points clear at the top of the table, but with matches against Arsenal and Man City to come for the leaders, Spurs will see their double-header against Wolves and Cardiff City as a real chance to close that gap further.
The North Londoners have enjoyed a memorable Christmas so far, plundering 11 goals in their last two games with a 6-2 triumph over Everton being followed by a 5-0 thrashing of Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
Spurs have never before scored five or more goals in three successive top-flight games, but with the likes of Son Heung-min, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen all in such good form it is an achievement which is not out of the realms of possibility this weekend.
As a team, Tottenham have now won 12 and lost just one of their last 14 games across all competitions, including each of their last four.
Should they make it five in a row today then it would pile the pressure on Liverpool ahead of their match against Arsenal later in the day, while also ensuring that they remain in second place heading into 2019.
To even be in this position is a huge credit to Pochettino and his players, having failed to make a single summer signing, been hit hard by injuries and all the while being uncertain of when they will end their time at Wembley and move into their new home.
Spurs have been better on the road than they have in front of their own fans so far this season, but they have won each of their last six home games and victory on Saturday would see them equal their best-ever streak at the stadium.
Pochettino’s side will be heavy favourites to do just that having won 36 and lost none of their last 39 Premier League games against promoted teams – a run stretching back to April 2012.
An extension to that run would set Spurs up nicely ahead of a 2019 which they will hope will bring a first piece of silverware under Pochettino, and their recent charge has ensured that they remain firmly in contention for all four trophies available to them this season.
Tottenham possible XI: Lloris, Trippier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Davies, Skipp, Winks, Son, Eriksen, Lamela, Kane.
Wolves possible XI: Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Neves, Saiss, Jonny, Moutinho, Traore, Jimenez.