When Tottenham Hotspur head to Fulham on Sunday, it’ll be the first game they’ll play without superstar striker Harry Kane until March. Or at least that’s what the club injury recovery time table says at this point right now.
Spurs have weathered the storm of having to be without Kane for long stretches before, so they is something they do know how to handle. However, this time brings a slate that is potentially more difficult, and a top four race that is likely more competitive. Once again it’s the ankle that’s the issue and this time it’s severe ligament damage that is the injury.
This tremendous setback means that Fernando Llorente is likely inserted into the starting lineup for this one. Elsewhere, Moussa Sissoko suffered a muscle injury during the first half of the defeat at home to Manchester United this past Sunday, with initial fears that his injury could keep him out for close to a month.
However, as the week went on we learned that his injury isn’t as serious as originally believed and that he could return to action before long. Early Friday morning news broke that he could actually be in contention for this one, but that might be a bit of a stretch.
Elsewhere Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama are still working their way back to full match fitness after having endured recent spells on the sidelines.
Meanwhile forward Lucas Moura is still feeling some pain from his most recent injury layoff, but is hoping to play through it. He posted the following
The knock was strong, it is still painful. I am doing full time treatment to be ready as soon as possible https://t.co/r8ATJLucFq
— Lucas Moura (@LucasMoura7) January 14, 2019
In flipping over to the hosts, Claudio Ranieri has a lot of work to do to get this side out of the drop zone, but he does have an almost fully-fit roster for selection.
Just one player, Alfie Mawson is confirmed as out of commission for this one.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham FC FYIs
Kickoff: Sunday, January 20, 4:00 PM local, Craven Cottage
Google Result Probability: Tottenham win 55%, Draw 27%, Fulham win 18%
Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Odds via Betfair: Tottenham win 3/4, Draw 5/2, Fulham 9/2
Prediction: Tottenham 1, Fulham 0
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.