Tottenham have been given a big advantage ahead of their forthcoming Premier League match with Liverpool.
In an incredibly busy season, Spurs have been granted a rare chance to rest. A week has passed since their last match against Sheffield United, with Jose Mourinho’s side not in action until Monday night when they will take on Wycombe in the FA Cup fourth round.
Having eight days between matches is a luxury in itself, but Wycombe’s status effectively extends that period of rest. The visitors are bottom of the Championship and Mourinho will surely be confident enough in his squad to pick a second-string side, which will leave his key players fresh for Thursday’s match with Liverpool.
If you click through to bet live here you will find that Tottenham are heavy favourites to beat Wycombe at home. This is a game to give opportunities to players who are rebuilding their fitness, such as Erik Lamela and Gareth Bale, or trying to find form, like Dele Alli. The likes of Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son can sit this one out.
While Tottenham’s best players effectively get a mid-winter break, Liverpool have been involved in a series of physically and mentally gruelling games. Since Spurs beat Sheffield United 3-0 last Sunday, Liverpool have played three times, starting with a 0-0 draw with arch rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford later on that same afternoon.
This was followed by a 1-0 defeat at home to Burnley on Thursday night, which ended Liverpool’s four year unbeaten run at Anfield in the Premier League. Liverpool were then beaten again over the weekend, when they faced another match with Manchester United, losing 3-2 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup.
The contrasting schedules of the two teams, can only work in Tottenham’s favour. Liverpool will be physically tired and mentally drained by their poor form. The reigning Premier League champions have only won one of their last six games (D3 L2) and that victory came against a very youthful Aston Villa side, who were ravaged by a COVID outbreak.
Liverpool’s defending has been very poor, at a time when regular centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both injured. They are very susceptible to counter-attacks and with the deadly duo of Kane and Son sure to be fresh, Spurs could take advantage against opposition that they could have easily beaten in the reverse fixture at Anfield.
