Having gone five games without a win, Tottenham are desperate to beat Stoke and thus remain in contention for the top 4 place. The Potters, on the other hand, could have more important things on their mind when they visit White Hart Lane, with FA Cup semi-final against Bolton due just a week later.

Spurs in big problems

Tottenham have been going on through a very rough patch of late, but their under-par performances are not that hard to explain. Harry Redknapp’s injury-plagued squad have started to struggle with the busy schedule as the Champions League campaign is seriously affecting team’s performances in the Premiership. Just as the key players started to recover, Tottenham were unlucky to record an embarrassing defeat in Madrid, but I still believe they have what it takes to get this season back on track. We could all see how much Gareth Bale is important for this side and with Aaron Lennon close to making his comeback, Spurs should soon return to top form. Harry Redknapp’s side need a morale-boosting win to forget all about the defeat at Bernabeu and I can see them getting one with Stoke utterly disappointing on the travels. Tottenham missed a host of clear-cut chances in their last home game against West Ham, but Stoke will not be so lucky.

Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone should return to the side after the spell on the sidelines, while Steven Pienaar remains a doubt. King, Hutton, Woodgate and Kaboul are definitely out.

11 defeats in 15 away games

Stoke managed to establish themselves as a genuine mid table side over the last few years and it looks that they will have no problems surviving another Premiership campaign. As usual, the Potters owe it all to Tony Pulis and their impressive performances at Britannia Stadium, but their showings on the travels remain a problem. Having lost 11 out of 15 away games in the Premiership this season, Stoke don’t have much to hope for before the trip to London, especially as they will have one eye on the FA Cup semi-final match with Bolton. This is a unique chance for the Potters to make it to the FA Cup final and Tony Pulis is unlikely to risk any players carrying knocks against Tottenham. That is not to say that Stoke will roll over and let Tottenham win the game, but there is not much they can do to avoid defeat at White Hart Lane.

Danny Higginbotham, Thomas Sorensen, John Carew, Abdoulaye Faye and Mamadou Sidibe are all sidelined, which only adds to the worries.

Verdict

Tottenham are eager to make amends for the heavy defeat in Madrid and with Huddlestone, Bale and Lennon returning to the side, Spurs should have no problems winning this match. With Stoke largely struggling on the travels, a big home win looks on the cards.

Our prediction: Tottenham to win with -0.75 Asian handicap

Odds: 1.98 (49/50)

Bookmaker: 188BET