Mauricio Pochettino takes his Tottenham side to West Brom as they look to extend an impressive run which has seen them go 13 Premier League matches unbeaten, since an opening day defeat to Manchester United.

Both sides growing in confidence

Having faced a difficult November, facing London rivals Arsenal, West Ham United and Chelsea, Tottenham have been increasingly growing in confidence. Picking up five out of a possible nine points has consolidated their position in the top five, with a title push looking a real possibility this year.

The one criticism of Tottenham this season has been their inability to turn draws into three points, the home matches against Stoke City and Everton prime examples, and a difficult trip to the Hawthorns will prove a real test of any title credentials Pochettino may feel his side possesses.

West Brom, on the other hand, have been slowly moving up the table following a couple of impressive performances. Their 1-1 draw at Upton Park last week, against West Ham, followed a 2-1 victory at home to Arsenal which in turn ended a run of disappointing results at home.

Under the guidance of Premier League veteran Tony Pulis, West Brom will be hoping to continue their fine run of form against London opposition in recent weeks as all eyes are focused on Tottenham once again.

The last meeting

Tottenham ran out the victors in their last visit to the Hawthorns, putting in a complete performance in a 3-0 victory at the end of January this year. Christian Eriksen put the side from White Hart Lane into an early lead before Harry Kane hit a double on his way to a record breaking debut season.

Pochettino will be hoping for a similar performance this time round, rather than the lacklustre return match at White Hart Lane last season, in which James Morrison scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory for the Baggies.

Spurs will be hoping there's no repeat result from when the sides last met. (Image credit: GOAL)
Spurs will be hoping there's no repeat result from when the sides last met. (Image credit: GOAL)

Team News

West Brom will be without long term absentee Ben Foster for the visit of Tottenham, whist Northern Irish international Jonny Evans is a doubt. Claudio Yacob, however, is definitely ruled out having picked up his fifth booking of the season in the draw at Upton Park last weekend.

Probable line-up: Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Brunt; Gardner, Fletcher, Morrison, McClean; Lambert, Rondón 

Key man: Salomón Rondón will be looking to build on his impressive start to life in England with West Brom. Having been recommended to Pulis by former Tottenham boss, and current Zenit St Petersburg head coach Andre Villas-Boas, Rondón has adapted to life in the Premier League seamlessly having scored three league goals so far.

Tottenham will be relieved to have Dele Alli back from suspension, after serving a one match ban against Chelsea at White Hart Lane last Sunday. The return of Alli is all the more important with Ryan Mason having picked up an injury against the title holders last time around. 

Nabil Bentaleb and Nacer Chadli are both close to full fitness, having recovered from long term injuries in recent weeks, but the match at the Hawthorns is likely to come too soon (the home fixture to Newcastle United next week seemingly a much likelier return date).

Probable line-up: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Alli; Son, Eriksen, Dembélé; Kane

Key man: Despite his presence in the middle of the park being missed against Chelsea (https://www.vavel.com/en/football/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur/570693.html) Tottenham fans will have been delighted to see Dele Alli have a much needed rest last week. Having gone from hot prospect to a key player for both club an country in just a few weeks, Pochettino will be hoping Alli picks up where he left off following a short, but necessary, rest last time around.

Both teams looking to continue positive run of form

A tight, and closely contested, match awaits the two sides on Saturday at 3pm as neither side dares consider losing a vital match in both of their seasons so far.

Tottenham will aim to continue building on their unbeaten run of form, which has already surpassed their previous Premier League record, whilst West Brom will be hoping to put a run of their own together, starting with one of the real contenders this season at the Hawthorns.

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