Tottenham host Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round replay as both sides hope to book their place in the fifth round. The first match ended in a 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s and both teams will be aiming to extend their cup runs, knowing a victory would set up a fifth-round clash against Premier League strugglers Norwich. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the game here.
Despite being second-best for much of the game, Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham side picked up a morale-boosting smash and grab victory against Manchester City. The win lifted Spurs up to fifth in the Premier League table and puts them firmly in the race for the top four. Moreover, Mourinho will want to end the season with the trophy. If they beat the Saints, they face Premier League’s bottom club Norwich City at home. Therefore, this is a huge chance for Spurs to get a cup run.
Despite Saturday’s humbling at Anfield against Liverpool, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton have been decent the last few months. They are 13th in the league table and currently sit just six points adrift of Spurs. Only two of the Saints’ last 10 games have ended in defeat. They’ve undergone an extraordinary revival since that 9-0 thrashing against Leicester. An FA Cup run can cap a remarkable turnaround if they beat Spurs. They have already won at Chelsea and Leicester, meaning Spurs could be stunned too.
Betting preview
Spurs have won eight of their last nine home games against Southampton in all competitions. They have also won seven of their last ten home games. You can back a Tottenham Hotspur Win at odds of 1.70.
Three of Tottenham’s last five home games have ended with a 2-1 scoreline. Seven of Southampton’s last ten away matches have seen three or more goals. Four of the last seven games between these two have seen at least three goals. For that reason, you can back Over 2.5 Goals in this game at odds of 1.75.
Eight of Southampton’s last 11 away games in all competitions have seen both teams find the net. Both teams have found the net in three of Spurs last five games in all competitions. Six of the last seven games between these two sides have seen both teams score. Therefore, you can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.70.
Team news
Steven Bergwijn is ineligible for this clash as FA Cup rules state a player must be available for the first tie to feature in a replay. Meanwhile, Dele Alli is a slight doubt after being on the end of a horror tackle from England teammate Raheem Sterling. Harry Kane, Moussa Sissoko and Ben Davies are all still sidelined for the foreseeable future.
The only notable absentee for the Saints is Stuart Armstrong who is expected back in several weeks after sustaining a hip injury. Yan Valery is back in training and could return.
Possible line-ups
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Tanganga, Fernandes, Winks, Lo Celso, Lamela, Moura, Son
Southampton: McCarthy, Danso, Stephens, Vestergaard, Bertrand, Djenepo, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond, Obafemi, Ings