Tottenham travel to Aston Villa on Saturday evening looking for their fourth Premier League win in a row as the race for Champions League football enters the home straight. Spurs thrashed Newcastle 5-1 last weekend to move above north London rivals Arsenal into fourth spot.
Antonio Conte’s side appear to be finding form at just the right time after a period of inconsistent results, however, they cannot afford to slip up with the Gunners only below them on goal-difference. And with West Ham and Manchester United still in hot pursuit, the margin for error is virtually non-existent if Spurs are to achieve their first top four finish since 2018/19 season.
Meanwhile, Villa are on a dreadful run having lost their last three games in a row. But despite Steven Gerrard’s side having little to play for with relegation not a concern and Europe unattainable, the pundits have disagreed on the outcome of the result.
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Paul Merson - Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham
"This game could turn out to be Spurs' banana skin in their pursuit of a top four spot as Aston Villa will definitely give them a game," Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda. "Unlike last week, Arsenal can win their game and put pressure on their cross-town rivals, so Spurs will be up against it if the Gunners pick up three points against Brighton.
"If Antonio Conte and co win this, though, I would start worrying for Arsenal and their top-four hopes. I get the feeling that this could end all square, so I'm going for a 1-1 draw.
"Harry Kane has been one of the best players in world football this calendar year - the bloke is a different class. He's an all-round package, I don't know anyone else who can play like him. If he's up for it, then there's only one way this game will pan out."
Mark Lawrenson - Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham
"Tottenham have got momentum now, while Aston Villa have lost all of theirs after suffering three defeats in a row. Lawrenson told BBC Sport: "Philippe Coutinho has been quiet of late, and Villa need to find a way of getting him involved more if they are going to trouble Tottenham.
"A Spurs slip-up is always just around the corner, but when Harry Kane is playing the way he is, they are extremely dangerous."
