Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur preview: Spurs set for defensive reshuffle

Toby Alderweireld is in line to return for Tottenham Hotspur against Norwich City on Tuesday night, but the north Londoners will be without fellow centre-back Jan Vertonghen through injury.

The Belgium international faces two months on the sidelines after damaging his medial ligament following a recent clash with Crystal Palace's Connor Wickham.

Central defender Kevin Wimmer is set to deputise in Vertonghen's absence, as the Austrian did in Spurs' 4-1 win at Colchester United in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

The visitors head into this contest holding a five-point advantage over Manchester United in the fourth and final Champions League place.

Meanwhile, since winning three games out of four over the holiday period, Alex Neil's side have since lost four matches in a row and find themselves just one place and two points above the relegation zone heading into this fixture.

Team news

Norwich could hand debuts to new loan signing Patrick Bamford and fellow recent recruit Timm Klose when they host Tottenham in the Barclays Premier League on Tuesday night.

Bamford has joined on loan from Chelsea and could come straight into Alex Neil's side, while Klose could come in after the Canaries shipped five goals in their last outing against Liverpool.

Andre Wisdom is available having been ineligible against parent club Liverpool while Gary O'Neil serves the last game of his three-match ban following his sending off at Stoke.

As well as Vertonghen, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino will also be without midfielder Ryan Mason (ankle) and striker Clinton N'Jie (knee) for the trip to Carrow Road.

Dele Alli is expected to return to Tottenham's starting XI. Alli was an unused substitute in Saturday's 4-1 FA Cup fourth-round win at Colchester and should join Alderweireld and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in returning to the fold.

Paul Merson's prediction

I don't see anything other than a Tottenham win - they are absolutely flying at the moment. If you take a look at Norwich and their result the other week against a Liverpool side, who are not finding it easy to score goals, and they let in five against them. 

I've watched them a lot this season and they create a lot of chances but just cannot put the ball in the net. That's why the result against Liverpool was a real hammer blow for them. The one day they score four they let in five.

Then you don't have a game for a while and that's even worse because you have a long time to stew over it. I just think Tottenham, who will miss Vertonghen, are on fire. They have too much firepower and I'm backing Spurs to win 3-1 with Harry Kane to grab the first goal.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (Sky Bet, 14/1)

Opta stats

Norwich have scored just five goals in their last 11 Premier League games against Spurs.

Tottenham have won eight and lost just three of their 15 Premier League games against Norwich (D4).

Kane's first-ever Premier League game was for Spurs in August 2012, while his second was for Norwich on loan in September of the same year. He scored two goals against the Canaries earlier this season in his only appearance in this fixture.

Tottenham have had the most shots on target from outside the box in the Premier League this season (53).

Norwich have had fewer touches in the opposition box than any other Premier League team this season.

The Canaries have conceded the most goals from opposition counter-attacks this season in the Premier League (4).

Dele Alli has had a hand in nine goals in his last 12 Premier League games for Spurs (five goals, four assists).

Betting

Norwich are Sky Bet's 3/1 underdogs to topple 10/11 shots Tottenham on Tuesday with the draw trading at 5/2. Spurs are unbeaten in 1- away matches this season but face a Norwich side who beat them 1-0 when the sides last met at Carrow Road, a 10/1 this time round. Spurs won 3-0 earlier in the season and can be backed at 14/1 to record the same scoreline, with the league's best defence 9/2 to secure another. Check out tips from our Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier here.