Tottenham Hotspur FC
Southampton FC
Southampton FC
Manager-less Tottenham face Southampton in their first game following Mourinho sacking
Tottenham to win 3-1
Tottenham made the shocking but perhaps unsurprising decision to part company with Jose Mourinho earlier this week, after winning just seven of their last 20 league games, as well as crashing out of the Europa League.
The timing can be considered strange, with Spurs involved in the Carabao Cup final next weekend and not allowing Mourinho the opportunity to win a trophy at the club.
In the league, Spurs have drifted ever seen they topped the table six months ago, and their mixed form has seen them fall to 7th, with little chance of making the top four, especially now they’ve sacked their manager.
Southampton, on the other hand, have stuck by their manager through one of the worst periods in their recent history, though have endured a difficult season to say the least.
The club appear safe from relegation, but will be largely disappointed with their league position. Whether this could be a good time to play Spurs or not, remains to be seen.
Form Guide (all comps): LWDLD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Change of leadership could give them a boost
Have won 12 of last 17 meetings with Southampton
Reasons to be fearful:
Harry Kane is likely to miss this through injury
Just seven wins from their last 20 games
Ryan Mason will take charge of Tottenham for the remainder of the season after Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
Although Mourinho’s results were considered not good enough for this club, it’s perhaps a little strange that Spurs feel a 29-year-old will do any better between now and the end of the campaign.
He must do so without the services of Harry Kane, too, at least for this match after picking up an injury in the 2-2 draw against Everton.
Spurs have only picked up a single point from their last five league games without Kane, and it will come as a huge worry to their fans if he doesn’t return quickly.
The one positive is that they have a strong record over Southampton over the years, and they will look to continue that streak here.
Star Man – Son Heung-Min
Son has been brilliant this season, and without Kane he is Tottenham’s main man.
Form Guide (all comps): LWWLL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Danny Ings has a great record vs. Spurs
Could be a good opportunity to play them without Mourinho and Kane
Reasons to be fearful:
The Saints have lost 11 of their last 14 fixtures
They have the worst record in the league since the start of 2021
Southampton have at least stabilised themselves over the past month or so, taking six points from their last five games. It leaves them nine points ahead of 18th place Fulham, and they have a game in hand, too.
Their record against Spurs is dreadful, although they’ll be thankful that they won’t have to face Harry Kane – with 10 goals from their meetings, the Saints are one of his favourite teams to play against.
Despite that, their recent form suggests they’ll struggle with a lack of goals and a defence that have kept just two clean sheets since the start of 2021.
Although likely to be safe from relegation, they’ll be looking to pick up something from their remaining games.
Star Man – Danny Ings
Has five goals in his five appearances against Spurs.
Can Spurs rebound from a disappointing week?
Can the Saints take advantage of a disjointed club?
Spurs need a victory to have any chance of 4th
This is one of the hardest games to predict, judging by the nature of Tottenham’s announcement this week.
Without Mourinho, Spurs’ players could either be demotivated, or energised. Without Harry Kane, their goal threat won’t be quite the same, though they should still have too much for Southampton.
Tottenham to win 3-1
