When Mauricio Pochettino left Southampton over the summer for Tottenham, most expected that his departure combined with several of the Saints top players being sold would lead to a decline for the club. Instead, Ronald Koeman has come in and have the Saints rolling as they currently sit five points clear of Spurs, in third place. A win by the Saints over Spurs would move the back into second place.
Tottenham vs. Southampton live stream: How to watch EPL online, TV schedule and more
The Saints look to continue their fantastic start to the season at the expense of their former manager.
Julian Finney
Spurs have continued to be well, Spurs, this season as they sit stuck in the mid table thanks to a four match winless streak. They’re not a bad team, but neither are they a great team and it’s going to take time for Pochettino to install his philosophy, along with assembling the players he needs to be effective. The question is always how much patience the Daniel Levy will have, but one suspects he’ll give him the time.
Key Player: Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
What we’ve seen this season so far from Morgan Schneiderlin is exactly why the club fought so hard to keep him from leaving over the summer. Despite the fact he asked to leave, the Saints dug in their heels and kept him with the team. Now Schneiderlin is tearing up the Premier League and happy he stuck around at Southampton. Spurs would do well to find a way to disrupt his play on Sunday.
Key Matchup: Spurs vs. Saints midfield
Koeman’s switch to a 4-3-3 had made the Saints a more difficult team to deal with thanks to a combination of width and a central midfield that spends a lot of time rotating around, which helps create match-up problems. With Spurs still trying to get comfortable with Pochettino’s high-energy pressing style, it would be reasonable to be concerned about the Saints being able to pick apart space left by Tottenham.
Tottenham injuries and suspensions
Out: Kyle Walker (hip).
Southampton injuries and suspensions
Out: Jay Rodriguez (knee), James Ward-Prowse (foot). In Doubt: Maya Yoshida (ankle), Florin Gardos (calf), Sam Gallagher (knee), Lloyd Isgrove (knee).
Despite a variety of injury concerns, Soton have begun this season in exceptional form. Several players are doubtful for Sunday including Yoshida, Gardos, Gallagher and Isgrove.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 2:05 p.m. local, 9:05 a.m. ET
Venue: White Hart Lane, London, England
TV: NBC Premier League Extra Time (U.S.), TSN1 (Canada)
Online: NBC Live Extra (U.S.), TSN Go (Canada)
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