Tuesday's Premier League questions: Can Spurs prove their top four credentials again?
We look at the big talking points ahead of another key round of top-flight fixtures
Wednesday 11 February 2015 09:45, UK
With another huge round of Premier League this week, we ponder the questions that could be answered on Tuesday evening...
Can Tottenham build on their Arsenal win and prove their top four credentials again?
Back in March 2013, Tottenham, with a rampant Gareth Bale, moved seven points clear of Arsenal after a 2-1 win in the north London Derby but it was still not enough for Spurs to finish in the top four.
The Gunners fought back, just as they did in the previous year, to finish fourth and it would be unwise for Spurs to take their eye off the ball just yet, starting with the trip to Liverpool.
However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have the opportunity to throw down another huge statement of intent by picking up three points at Anfield, a result which would move them up into third place in the table for 24 hours at least.
Spurs have lost their last four encounters against Liverpool – conceding 15 goals in the process – so the trip to Merseyside will prove a stern test of their ambitions this season.
But with the on-fire Harry Kane in the side, anything is possible!
Aston Villa finally ended their goal drought. Will Paul Lambert recall Christian Benteke so the striker can end his run without a goal?
It took nearly 11 hours but Aston Villa finally scored a Premier League goal through defender Jores Okore on Saturday.
Now Paul Lambert will want his forwards to get in on the act, in particular Christian Benteke.
The Belgium international was dropped in favour of Gabriel Agbonlahor for the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea after going seven league matches without a goal.
Lambert admitted he does not know whether he will recall the 24-year-old for the trip to Hull but if he does, he will hope the decision to bench Benteke has fired him up to end his own goal drought.
Can Jermain Defoe continue Sunderland's revival and make it three goals in three successive league games?
There was plenty of scrutiny surrounding the price it cost Sunderland to bring Jermain Defoe back to the Premier League, but the move is certainly paying dividends for Black Cats boss Gus Poyet.
The former England striker has scored two goals in his last two Premier League matches and he can make it three strikes in as many games for the first time since 2008 against a QPR side who have lost 11 straight games on the road.
It’s no secret former Hoops boss Harry Redknapp was interested in bringing Defoe to Loftus Road in January but the move never materialised, and it would be no surprise to see the ex-Spurs forward come back to haunt the west Londoners.
How will the Leicester City team respond to a turbulent few days regarding Nigel Pearson’s future?
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson has refused to clear up the confusion over reports that emerged on Sunday claiming he had been sacked.
Sky sources understand that Pearson and his staff were sacked by one owner of the club, only for another to re-instate them three hours later.
Pearson takes his under-pressure side to take on Arsenal on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how his players react.
