MY ACCOUNT
– Tottenham have won six out of eight Premier League home games this season
– Spurs have conceded first 10 times this season
– Recommended Bet: Tottenham to win and both to score
Tottenham endured another rollercoaster year in 2022 but have the chance to start 2023 on the right track when they host Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.
Spurs’ top-four push is in full swing but the Villans have shown plenty of improvement in new boss Unai Emery’s three league games in charge.
The Spaniard has clearly improved his side and is sure to have hatched a tactical plan to undo the men from north London.
However, having fallen out of the top four following Manchester United’s win over Wolves on Saturday, Spurs have extra motivation to push for a seventh home victory of the season.
Team news
Rodrigo Bentancur is back available following a one-match ban but will miss the game through a groin injury, while Antonio Conte can call upon a couple of World Cup finalists.
The boss has confirmed that Argentina defender Cristian Romero is ready to play after returning from his homeland and will feature ahead of his captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who was on the other side of the result in the final.
Villa, too, have a World Cup winner to call upon with Emiliano Martinez back in the fold and he is likely to start ahead of Robin Olsen between the sticks.
However, Jacob Ramsey is sidelined, as is Diego Carlos, although the Brazilian is closing on on a return after rupturing his Achilles in August.
The stats
Tottenham have won six of their eight home Premier League matches this season, a record in stark contrast to Villa’s away tally of just one victory.
However, Spurs have got into a habit of making life tough for themselves, conceding first in their last six games in the league.
Fortunately for Antonio Conte’s side they have the irrepressible Harry Kane, who has scored in his last three league matches to take his tally to 13 for the season.
Kane has also scored seven times in his 10 top-flight appearances against Aston Villa.
Opponents Villa have kept just three clean sheets this season but are at least in the habit of scoring, having netted in four of their last five Premier League games.
Despite losing to Liverpool, they still managed 12 shots and are sure to make life awkward at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Prediction
With United winning on Saturday, Tottenham have slipped out of the top four ahead of their New Year’s Day clash.
However, the match marks the perfect chance for Conte’s side to set the tone for a 2023 in which they will aim to end their trophy drought, which extends back to 2008.
Villa will be tough opponents and have undoubtedly improved under Emery’s tutelage.
With Spurs’ habit of conceding first, they will feel they have a chance but Kane’s prowess suggests a home victory will be in the offing.
Therefore, the 21/10 with LiveScore Bet for Tottenham to win and both teams to score appears tempting.
