Team News, Stats, Quotes & Line-up - Spurs vs Leicester 21/01/15

Harry Kane will be in the mood to celebrate following his first senior England call-up this week, and Spurs will certainly be in need of his goals if they are to stay in touch with the League’s top 4 as Leicester make the trip to White Hart Lane.

The youngster was recognised for his astounding 26 goal haul by national team boss Roy Hodgson, who picked him as one of his 4 strikers for the double-header with Lithuania and Italy alongside fellow Spurs Kyle Walker and Andros Townsend.

It took Kane just 58 seconds to find the net when we took all 3 points at the King Power Stadium when we visited on Boxing Day, as Christian Eriksen’s free-kick made the difference in 2-1 win.

However, the result was turned on its head when Nigel Pearson’s side came to the Lane in January – as Jeffrey Schlupp’s 90th minute volley knocked us out of the FA Cup.

The Foxes are in dire need of a similar result as they stay routed to the base of the Premier League.

Team News

Roberto Soldado is the only injury doubt for the clash, having sat out our disappointing 3-0 defeat at Manchester United last week with a knee injury.

Emmanuel Adebayor made only his second appearance of 2015 when he emerged from the bench at Old Trafford, replacing Nacer Chadli in the 79th minute, and could be used again as form-man Harry Kane’s legs begin to tire.

The 21-year-old has played 42 games for Spurs this season, as well as England U21 games on top, and so the return of out-of-favour Adebayor could be vital to his progression.

Spur shave no other discernible injury problems, which some would say is a credit to Mauricio Pochettino’s player management.

Stat Attack

The fixture promises to be full of goals - with just the one of the last 102 meetings between the sides ending goalless. Spurs have racked up an impressive 197 goals against Leicester, while conceding just 163 since the first meeting in 1914.

Our FA Cup defeat in January was our only loss in the last 15 games at The Lane, having won 10 and drawn 4 league and cup games in N17, including memorable wins over Arsenal and Chelsea.

However, Spurs have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine.

Leicester have lost just two of their last eight league and cup games at White Hart Lane, while the last Premier League meeting their finished 4-4 after Spurs had been 3-1 up at half time.

Opposition View

Leicester are 3 points adrift of 19th placed QPR at the bottom of the table, with their game in hand giving them the chance to claw back some rapidly disappearing hope. While, only Sunderland (23) and Aston Villa (19) have managed to hit the net less times than their 24.

They are without a win in 7 games in all competitions, their win at the Lane being their sole victory in 9 games.

Nigel Pearson’s side have picked up just 8 points on the road all season, most recently falling to a 2-0 defeat at Manchester City’s Etihad last week.

What They Said

Defender Jan Vertonghen - “There is just no acceptance of defeat and every game is a fight, whoever is playing. Look at City against Burnley. That’s why we know it’s another difficult game for us on Saturday."

Striker Harry Kane – “We have a great togetherness here and we stick together. We have to go out there, get a win before the international break and try to get some momentum going again because we’re still right up there.”

Predicted Line Up

Lloris; Rose Vertonghen Dier Walker; Mason Bentaleb; Chadli Eriksen Townsend; Kane