If only Tottenham Hotspur could translate their recent success in Europe against Red Star Belgrade over to their domestic campaign. Since the embarrassing 7-2 shellacking at the hands of Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League group stage play, Spurs have won both of their UCL matches, both of which were against Red Star, 9-0 on aggregate.
At home though, in league play, Spurs are winless (2L2D) with a 3-7 goal aggregate differential since that beating at the hands of Bayern. Up next is a home clash against surprising Sheffield United, a team that is performing much better than your typical newly promoted side.
In fact that Blades will enter this match five slots ahead of the Spurs in the table. Let’s take a look at the team news now, starting with the hosts. Forward Son Heung-min is now available again after his red card against Everton last weekend got rescinded.
The South Korean left the pitch at Goodison Park in tears and holding his head in shame after he was shown a red card and sent off for his challenge on Andre Gomes.
Elsewhere central defender Jan Vertonghen and midfielder Erik Lamela are both still out of commission with hamstring injuries. And of course, Hugh Lloris is out until 2020.
Flipping over to Sheffield United, they have some some players nursing minor injuries, but manager Chris Wilder was stealthy and evasive in regards to details.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Sheffield United FYIs
Kickoff: Nov. 9, 3pm Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Google’s result probability: Tottenham Hotspur win 62%, Draw 23%, Sheffield United victory 15%
Tottenham Hotspur starting XI prediction: go to this link
Odds via Betway: Tottenham Hotspur win 4/7, Draw 3/1, Sheffield United 5/1
Form Guide: Tottenham Hotspur- DLDLW Sheffield United- WDWDL
Prediction: Sheffield United 2, Tottenham Hotspur 1
I think the projectionists, prognosticators and bookies are misreading this match, sizing it up poorly. I really think the Blades got this one.
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.
You can follow Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com on Twitter here and his cat on Instagram at this link.