Can Kane Fire Spurs To Stoke Victory?

Tottenham will be looking to round off a productive period with their fourth win in a less than a fortnight in all competitions at home to Stoke City this afternoon (Sunday 9th November, 13:30). Meanwhile, City have failed to record a victory in their last three attempts, including a 3-2 League Cup exit at the hands Southampton. Being two points behind today`s opponents, however, 13th-placed Potters could rise above the European hopefuls with the slightest of wins.

Two goals in either half put the Midlands club in the driving seat in their last game against West Ham, though late goals from the Hammers` Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing meant that Stoke would have to settle for a meagre point. Victor Moses grabbed his first goal for Hughes` men whilst Mame Biram Diouf bagged the second of the match.

This slip-up followed City`s own fight back in their League Cup tussle with Southampton. First-half goals from Graziano Pelle and Shane Long saw the home side go 2-0 down before Steven N`Zonzi reduced the deficit and Diouf levelled up in the 82nd minute despite the sending off of strike partner Peter Crouch. The Britannia Stadium outfit were all ready to go to extra time though their plans were soon scuppered by Pelle`s completion of his brace seeing Stoke miss out on progressing through to the final eight. Six foot seven Crouch is once again available for the clash against his former club after serving his one game suspension. He is 11/1 (Bwin) to score first at his old stomping ground today.

The result saw Ronald Koeman`s Saints beat City for the second time in the space of four days. Sadio Mane grabbed the only goal for the St. Mary`s side to secure all three Premier League points. This came a week after Stoke`s last win, when they met Swansea at home. Two penalties converted by Charlie Adam for the home side and Wilfried Bony for the Welsh club saw the tie level before Jonathan Walters hit the winner 15 minutes from time.

Mauricio Pochettino`s Spurs have been coping relatively well with the Saturday, mid-week routine that comes from juggling the bread and butter of the Premier League with life competing in the Europa League.

The North London`s side`s winning run began as a reaction to a 2-1 loss against a resurgent Newcastle United. The White Hart Lane faithful had to watch as their team squandered a one nil lead to eventually lose all possible points. Emanuel Adebayor scored in the 18th minute.

Three days later Tottenham brushed aside Sami Hyypia`s Championship strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion in the League Cup. Second half efforts from Erik Lamela and Harry Kane sealed the side`s progression through to the last eight of the competition before Kane grabbed the second of two goals in Spurs` Premier League victory away at Aston Villa.

The Englishman`s goal came in the dying minutes and followed Nacer Chadli`s 84th minute equaliser with the Villans` Andreas Weimann breaking the deadlock in the first half. The 2-1 scoreline was mimicked in the Europa League last time out against Greek outfit Asteras Tripolis. Andros Townsend opened the scoring with a first-half penalty prior to that man Kane once again grabbing the winner.

The on-fire striker is 7/4 with Bwin to hit a goal at anytime. The 21-year-old star is looking for his tenth goal in all competitions, though Pochettino may continue to select Adebayor over Kane, the former just returning from being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Aaron Lennon is also back for the top five hopefuls whilst the pair of Kyle Walker and Nabil Bentaleb will sit the game out.

It is the home side who are the 3/4 (Betvictor) favourites for the tie with Stoke having to upset odds of 19/4 (boylesports) to secure the three points. A draw can be backed at 3/1 with boylesports.

As well as welcoming back Crouch, Phil Bardsley will also look to reclaim his place in the first team after serving a one game ban for picking up five yellow cards. Manager Mark Hughes has no new injury concerns to consider.

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09/11/2014     © Frixo 2026