Game Week 20 Predictions: Tottenham to beat Bournemouth?

Tottenham vs Bournemouth: Spurs seek crucial win to close gap on Arsenal, while Bournemouth aims to extend winning streak.

Heung Min Son must do it all alone on Sunday when Bournemouth visits Tottenham in the absence of most of his creators. (Photo credit: GOAL)

 

Tottenham vs. Bournemouth

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

3:00pm

Right about the time the Gunners are taking on Fulham at Craven Cottage, their North London rivals Tottenham will be squaring up with Bournemouth at home.

Tottenham needs a win to close in on Arsenal in fourth position on the log. Should Arsenal lose at Fulham, Spurs would move within one point of the Gunners, a huge incentive for them to have a strong go at Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Cherries are the first team in the league. Bournemouth have won their last four games, a run that includes three away wins. Bournemouth have thirteen points from their last fifteen, with the only dropped points coming at home against Aston Villa.

Andoni Iraola was within touching distance of a sack; he got a fortuitous win over Sheffield, and the rest is history. No one ever gave him and his Cherries a chance, but as things stand, they’re only going upward and forward.

It was a difficult night for Tottenham at Brighton on Thursday. The hosts raced to a four-goal lead before Tottenham managed a fightback in the second half. It was too little, too late, as Brighton ran out 4-2 winners on the night.

Tottenham will set up the only way they know how to; they will throw everything forward with their high line, and that is a huge encouragement to Bournemouth. They can profit from the space the Spurs leave behind with timely runs and precise strikes.

Gigi Vicario has been a signing of immense value to Spurs; his saves have earned them points this season, but can he keep a clean sheet against Dominic Solanke and the Cherries? The former has scored freely in recent games; he isn’t willing to rest yet.

Tottenham will be without Dejan Kulusevski for this game after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in their 4-2 loss at Brighton on Thursday. Yves Bissouma continues to serve his ban after receiving a straight red card, and they still have a host of names on the treatment table.

Richarlison looks like a man who has rediscovered his touch; he will be immense, but Spurs will miss Kulusevski. The Swede has been their creator-in-chief since James Madison got injured. Heung Min Son will have to step into the hole, creating for the Brazilian and Brennan Johnson.

Verdict: Both teams score