Tottenham Hotspur vs Huddersfield Town. Premier League.
Wembley StadiumAttendance68,311.
Saturday 3 March 2018 13:35, UK
Tottenham will look to record a fourth straight home league win when Huddersfield Town visit Wembley on Saturday, but the hosts received a major blow on the eve of the encounter.
Toby Alderweireld has been ruled out the Champions League last-16 second-leg clash against Juventus with a hamstring injury while Jan Vertonghen is facing a fight to be fit for both matches due to an ankle problem.
Vertonghen has returned to training but manager Mauricio Pochettino may opt not to risk him against the Terriers.
Pochettino insists he is focused on strengthening Spurs' Champions League hopes for next season despite the close proximity with the match against the Italian champions.
The Argentine said: "Both our eyes are focused on the game against Huddersfield. That for us is the most important game. It's an important three points for the battle for the top four.
"We cannot think of the game after. We need to be focused and ready to compete because it will be tough. Huddersfield are in a position where they need points too. For us the most important thing is tomorrow."
The Terriers return to Wembley for the first time since their triumphant penalty shoot-out against Reading in last summer's play-off final.
David Wagner's side have won their last two Premier League games to move three points above the relegation zone in 14th place, and defender Florent Hadergjonaj feels the visitors could spring a surprise in memorable surroundings.
"For us it's a big game against a big opponent, but Wembley, I think a lot of players have a very good feeling for Wembley," he said.
"We come from a very good period. We are confident. We have played very well in the last three games. I'm looking forward to this game and really happy we can play in such a big stadium against this team."
Pochettino says Lucas Moura is in contention to start after impressing in the FA Cup win over Rochdale.
The Argentine must decide on whether to drop Fernando Llorente after the striker scored a hat-trick against the League One strugglers, but Harry Kane is likely to return to leading the line.
Huddersfield pair Philip Billing and Chris Lowe return to contention.
Midfielder Billing missed last week's win at West Brom through illness, while left-back Lowe has been sidelined for three games due to an ankle injury.
Aaron Mooy is expected to be back in full training next week after recovering from an infected cut on a knee and striker Elias Kachunga (knee) is closing in on his return.
Tottenham are unbeaten in six games in all competitions against Huddersfield (W3 D3), since a 1-2 home defeat in April 1956.
Spurs are unbeaten in their last 33 Premier League games against newly promoted sides (W31 D2) since a 0-1 loss at QPR in April 2012.
The Terriers are unbeaten in their last four competitive visits to Wembley Stadium (W1 D3), with the last two finishing 0-0, both of which they won on penalties.
Huddersfield are looking to secure three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time this season, last doing so within a single top-flight season in April 1956 (four in a row).
Kane's 24 goals for Spurs this season in the Premier League have been worth 14 points - the most of any player in the competition in 2017-18.
If Kane scores, he'll be the third player to have scored 25+ goals in three consecutive Premier League campaigns, after Alan Shearer (four seasons between 93-94 and 96-97) and Thierry Henry (three seasons between 03-04 to 05-06).
Huddersfield have been exceptional in the last few games but then with this game, and then you look at the other fixtures this weekend, you can find yourself back in the mire quicker than you got out of it.
It's so difficult down at the bottom but for me, Huddersfield have done the job required of them in the last few weeks so this is a bit of a free swing for them at Wembley. There's no point in them going there and putting 10 men behind the ball and just fizzling out. They might as well have a go at Tottenham.
The last time they were at Wembley they had good memories but that being said, I'm expecting a rather routine victory for Spurs.
PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
