Tottenham Hotspur’s injury crisis is pretty much over now that Dele Alli has returned to training. You might even see the English midfielder make an appearance off the bench this weekend, meaning Mauricio Pochettino now has a fully fit squad to select from at Southampton FC…only Pochettino won’t be there on the touchline looking out against his former club.
Poch will serve the first of his two match ban in this one, as that was the punishment handed down on him for the heated exchange with referee Mike Dean at Burnley. Pochettino maintains that he “still loves” the south coast club he left for a bigger job in 2014.
He still roots for the Saints, except when they’re playing Spurs of course.
“A lot of people were disappointed when I left the club and they are not going to forgive, but I still love them. In one year and a half I spent there, it was a great experience,” Pochettino said of Southampton FC.
“For different circumstances that are difficult to understand, I left the club.”
“I cried a lot when I left, my family too. It was one of the most important periods in my life. I hope we beat them Saturday, but I wish all the best to them.”
Let’s take a look at the fitness situation for the Argentine’s former club-
Forward Danny Ings is in line for a return, now having recovered from a hamstring strain. However, Mario Lemina continues to struggle with an abdominal issue.
Youngster Michael Obafemi is out for the rest of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur at Southampton FC FYIs
Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: Saturday, March 9, 3pm St. Mary’s Stadium
TV: BBC Final Score
Odds (90 minutes only) via Betway: Tottenham 5/6, Draw 11/4, Southampton FC 16/5
Google Result Probability: Tottenham win 51%, Draw 26%, Southampton FC 23%
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3, Southampton FC 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.