Nobody needs a win more than Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino right now. The going rate on his being the next Premier League manager sacked in the betting market is 7/10; making him the current favorite. Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is next by the way.
Over the course of his Spurs career, Pochettino has been a miracle worker, leading Tottenham to the Champions League final last season, and two seasons in which his side was the last team standing between the eventual league champions and their inevitable glory.
He did it all despite minimal support in the transfer market, and the Argentine has repeatedly made public his frustrations about that. Pochettino finally got financial support this past summer, but hasn’t done anything with it as the club sits in ninth place this international break. Some of his team selection decisions have been baffling.
He’s openly hinted at considering the idea of leaving, so if he does get sacked it could be one of those supposed “mutually parted ways” arrangements.
There is some good news though heading into the next fixture, a London derby at home versus Crystal Palace. Injuries have been Spurs’ biggest problem so far this season, and the north London side is now set for a well needed fitness boost.
First we need to get the bad news out of the way, summer signing Giovani Lo Celso returned from the international break with new injury that might sideline him until the end of next month; at least.
However, the club record signing, midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, is back in training after having missed the last two matches due to a thigh injury.
That part of the body seems to have caused significant problems for numerous players on the Spurs roster this season.
Defender Kyle Walker-Peters and promising new addition Ryan Sessegnon (who has yet to debut in a Spurs shirt) have been out with hamstring injuries, but both should be available for selection here.
Meanwhile Eric Dier is back, having recovered from a hip problem. Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez remain long term absentees.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace FYIs
Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: Saturday Sept 14, 3pm, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Google Result Probability: Tottenham Hotspur win 69%, Draw 20%, Crystal Palace win 11%
Odds via Bet America: Tottenham Hotspur win -266, Draw +400, Crystal Palace win +750
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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