TOTTENHAM VS CARDIFF CITY: PREVIEW

Tottenham Hotspur welcome Cardiff City to Wembley this weekend in a match where a positive result is needed for both sides. 

Despite a decent start to the campaign Spurs are in need of a win. Following a string of bad performance that’s seen them lose their opening two Champions League games, a win against the Bluebirds is vital. 

Meanwhile, Cardiff are one of only two teams without a win this term, only off the bottom on goal difference.

Meaning a game that Neil Warnock may have previously put down as a free hit has now taken on significant importance in Cardiff’s survival bid.

A positive result of any kind is greatly needed for Cardiff. 

Tottenham's main man, Harry Kane...

VIEW FROM THE HOME DUGOUT

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino sees similarities between Cardiff and Huddersfield, who they played last weekend.

"We are going to compete against Cardiff and it will be such a tough game," Pochettino said.

"They have a similar style to Huddersfield, a very well-organised team, physical and they are very clear in their philosophy and how they are going to play.

"After the Barcelona defeat, we need to recover the feeling of victory but we all know very well that in the Premier League, it's always so tough to win.

"The effort was massive on Wednesday, not only physically but mentally too. We are confident we can arrive in good shape, fit and ready to compete. That's most important."

VIEW FROM THE AWAY DUGOUT

Neil Warnock took a nostalgic moment to look back on his time so far with Cardiff City in his press conference today as he lauded the fans for coming together.

"Last week - when I saw Burnley on a Sunday afternoon and there were over 30,000 there - I thought it was incredible really. The fans have really come on board," Warnock said.

"I think that's my biggest achievement, getting the club together, because it was a little bit fragmented when I came and I think putting everybody together [and getting everyone together] supporting the club is a fabulous feeling.”

However he did admit he owed the some “good result” for their efforts. 

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham will be without a number of first-team players for this weekend's match, as Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Moussa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen and Serge Aurier are all nursing injury problems.

In term of the away side, they are with out Iceland international Aron Gunnarsson but Warnock’s side are boosted by the return of winger Junior Hoilett.

BETTING ODDS/PREDICTION

Spurs are evidently huge favourites at 1/4 whereas Cardiff are long odds at 12/1.

World Cup golden boot winner Harry Kane is favourite to score at 4/9, whereas Cardiff’s most likely goal scorer is Kenneth Zohore at 4/1.

Spurs are the clear favourite for this match and I can only see them heaping more misery onto Cardiff at Wembley.

Tottenham will put Messi’s masterclass behind them and come at comfortable 3-0 winners.