Stoke vs Tottenham - Match preview and prediction
High-flying Tottenham travel to the Britannia Stadium looking to close the gap on second place in the Premier League table by defeating a tough Stoke City side.
Manchester United's win yesterday leaves them five points ahead of Spurs, but Harry Redknapp's men have two games in hand on the Premier League champions. Spurs face problems with injury as doubts remain over the fitness of Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe and Sandro. Captain Ledley King is also a worry in defence and a worry for Redknapp, who also has Michael Dawson on the sidelines. Spurs were rampant at home to Bolton last weekend and could have inflicted a rugby score on the Trotters, if they had been able to take their chances.
Stoke got the better of Spurs in the Carling Cup third round earlier this season and will be confident of another victory after their 1-0 win over Everton last weekend. In fairness, the Toffees were poor, but Stoke controlled the game and will look to stop Spurs' unbeaten league run of 12 matches. Stoke have Spurs old boys Matthew Etherington, Peter Crouch, Wilson Palacios and Jonathan Woodgate in their ranks, who are eager to prove a point against their former side. Tony Pulis will see the return of Rory Delap and Jermaine Pennant from injury and goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, injured in last weekend's win, is available after shaking off a mild concussion.
The Britannia Stadium will be loud and proud, but Spurs should have enough quality to see of Stoke. Tony Pulis' side will perform admirably, but with the attacking talents Harry Redknapp's side has, there looks to be only one winner.
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