Tottenham v Southampton: Kane-less Spurs face toughest challenge yet
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It’s a question plenty of us have asked over the last three years: just where would Tottenham Hotspur be without Harry Kane? The striker missed five Premier League games earlier on in the season through injury, and Spurs dropped points against West Brom, Bournemouth and Leicester City in his absence.
We’re about to find out how just they’ll fare without February’s Player of the Month over the coming weeks.
Though we still don’t know how long the England striker will be out for, Spurs are hoping he’ll be back in time to face Chelsea in the Emirates FA Cup semi-final on April 22.
That means Spurs could potentially play at least five Premier League games without the 23-year-old, starting with a clash with Southampton this Sunday.
They’re still favourites at 4/6 to take all three points though – something which they’ve done in 12 of their 14 top-flight matches at White Hart Lane so far this season.
But in Kane’s absence their approach will have to change.
That’s because he’s scored a staggering 19 goals already this season for the north London outfit (as many as Middlesbrough have managed combined). But it’s his link-up play with England teammate Dele Alli which will be equally sorely missed.
Arguably the deadliest duo in the division, they have 32 goals between them, and have thrived playing alongside each other week-in, week-out for the second year in a row.
All eyes will be on Alli in the coming weeks – so can he handle the pressure on his own?
He’s 4/1 to score first, while 13/8 says he nets in a Spurs win.
Meanwhile, January signing Manolo Gabbiadini has been in exceptional form for the Saints, netting six goals in four games. Don’t be surprised if he opens the scoring here at 13/2.
And while Pochettino’s men breezed past the Saints earlier on in the season, it was the south-coast outfit who claimed all three points in this fixture last year, winning 2-1 thanks to a Steven Davis brace.
Those of you fancying a repeat of that scoreline can get odds of 14/1, while 80/1 says Davis nets two or more again.
But as far as we’re concerned, this one will be a nervy affair. The Saints would be delighted with a point, while life without Kane might take some getting used to – meaning there could be great value in the 5/2 on offer for under 1.5 goals to be scored – while 13/5 for a draw looks equally tempting.
Click here for a full list of Tottenham v Southampton odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
