chrissivad
Staff
- May 20, 2005
- 51,646
- 58,072
- Staff
- #1
Banner By Evolution
Sky Sports PreviewTottenham v Liverpool preview
Spurs have won just two of their last 12 opening weekend matches
Liverpool kick-off their assault on the 2009/10 Premier League title with a difficult fixture at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1.
The Reds impressed last season but ultimately finished four points adrift of eventual champions Manchester United.
Rafa Benitez, though, is confident his side can go all the way this campaign, with the club desperate for a first league crown since 1990.
For Spurs, the new term is a chance to right last season's wrongs that saw them initially flirt with relegation under former boss Juande Ramos.
Harry Redknapp took over from the Spaniard and helped manoeuvre the club up to a final standing of eighth in the table.
Having bolstered during the winter and summer transfer windows, Redknapp will be targeting European football this time around.
Redknapp has brought in Peter Crouch from Portsmouth and the towering striker will be pushing for a starting role versus his former club Liverpool.
Defender Sebastien Bassong has been given the green light to feature following uncertainty over a previous ban.
The ex-Newcastle United centre-back's availability is a massive boost for Redknapp, given that Jonathan Woodgate (groin) is out, while Ledley King (back) and Michael Dawson (Achilles) are doubts.
Reds manager Benitez will monitor captain Steven Gerrard's fitness ahead of the clash at White Hart Lane.
Gerrard sat out England's draw against Holland in midweek after suffering a groin injury.
Central defenders Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel could both be available after ankle and hamstring problems respectively.
Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio and new signing Alberto Aquilani are sidelined through injury.
BBC Preview
Team News:
Steven Gerrard is doubtful for Liverpool with a groin injury but both Jamie Carragher (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (hamstring) should feature.
New signing Alberto Aquilani is unlikely to play before September as he recovers from an ankle problem.
Tottenham's Jonathan Woodgate is recovering from groin surgery while fellow centre-back Michael Dawson is out with an Achilles injury.
Sebastien Bassong could make his debut following an £8m move from Newcastle.
Tottenham
Suspended: None Doubtful: Jenas (calf)
Injured: Bale (knee), Dawson (Achilles), Woodgate (groin)
Liverpool
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Carragher (ankle), Gerrard (groin), Skrtel (hamstring)
Injured: Agger (back), Aquilani (ankle), Aurelio (knee), El Zhar (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
Liverpool face an early test of their title credentials with a trip to White Hart Lane, where Tottenham are unbeaten in the Premier League since last November
The Reds suffered only two league defeats last season, the first a 2-1 reverse at Spurs that lifted Harry Redknapp's side off the bottom of the table.
Though Liverpool gained revenge on the final day, the damage had already been done, with a first league title since 1990 eluding the Reds despite 10 wins from their last 11 games.
Nine years after leaving White Hart Lane without a first team appearance to his name, Peter Crouch could make his Tottenham debut following his move from Portsmouth.
Like team-mate Robbie Keane, he will be hoping to prove a point to Rafael Benitez after being deemed surplus to requirements during a spell at Anfield.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Last season's 2-1 defeat is Liverpool's only loss in their last 10 league games against Tottenham.
• Spurs also beat the Reds in the fourth round of the League Cup on 12 November 2008.
Tottenham
• Spurs are chasing a seventh successive home league win. They are unbeaten in their last 11 top flight games at White Hart Lane. Everton were the last side to take maximum points at Spurs, winning 1-0 on 30 November 2008.
• Spurs made their worst start to a top flight season last year. When Harry Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane at the end of October, Spurs were bottom of the table with two points from eight games. They picked up 49 points from the remaining 30 matches to finish eighth.
• Tottenham's last hat-trick against the Reds was scored by Jimmy Greaves, who scored four at White Hart Lane in a 7-2 win in 1963.
Liverpool
• The Reds have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 league games.
• Liverpool's tally of 77 league goals last season was their best since 1990/91.
• A win would make Liverpool the first team to reach 5,000 points in the top flight of English football.
• Jamie Carragher has scored only three Premier League goals since making his debut 11 years ago. He has also scored three own goals against Tottenham (two at White Hart Lane).
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey, Simon Beck
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
MOST RECENT MEETING
Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham, 24 May 2009
Liverpool scorers: Torres 31, Hutton 64 og, Benayoun 81
Tottenham scorer: Keane 77
Geez's Live Media Coverage
FOR SC LIVE CHAT, CLICK ON THIS BANNER
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Sky Sports PreviewTottenham v Liverpool preview
Spurs have won just two of their last 12 opening weekend matches
Liverpool kick-off their assault on the 2009/10 Premier League title with a difficult fixture at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1.
The Reds impressed last season but ultimately finished four points adrift of eventual champions Manchester United.
Rafa Benitez, though, is confident his side can go all the way this campaign, with the club desperate for a first league crown since 1990.
For Spurs, the new term is a chance to right last season's wrongs that saw them initially flirt with relegation under former boss Juande Ramos.
Harry Redknapp took over from the Spaniard and helped manoeuvre the club up to a final standing of eighth in the table.
Having bolstered during the winter and summer transfer windows, Redknapp will be targeting European football this time around.
Redknapp has brought in Peter Crouch from Portsmouth and the towering striker will be pushing for a starting role versus his former club Liverpool.
Defender Sebastien Bassong has been given the green light to feature following uncertainty over a previous ban.
The ex-Newcastle United centre-back's availability is a massive boost for Redknapp, given that Jonathan Woodgate (groin) is out, while Ledley King (back) and Michael Dawson (Achilles) are doubts.
Reds manager Benitez will monitor captain Steven Gerrard's fitness ahead of the clash at White Hart Lane.
Gerrard sat out England's draw against Holland in midweek after suffering a groin injury.
Central defenders Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel could both be available after ankle and hamstring problems respectively.
Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio and new signing Alberto Aquilani are sidelined through injury.
___________________________________________________________________________________
BBC Preview
Team News:
Steven Gerrard is doubtful for Liverpool with a groin injury but both Jamie Carragher (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (hamstring) should feature.
New signing Alberto Aquilani is unlikely to play before September as he recovers from an ankle problem.
Tottenham's Jonathan Woodgate is recovering from groin surgery while fellow centre-back Michael Dawson is out with an Achilles injury.
Sebastien Bassong could make his debut following an £8m move from Newcastle.
Tottenham
Suspended: None Doubtful: Jenas (calf)
Injured: Bale (knee), Dawson (Achilles), Woodgate (groin)
Liverpool
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Carragher (ankle), Gerrard (groin), Skrtel (hamstring)
Injured: Agger (back), Aquilani (ankle), Aurelio (knee), El Zhar (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
Liverpool face an early test of their title credentials with a trip to White Hart Lane, where Tottenham are unbeaten in the Premier League since last November
The Reds suffered only two league defeats last season, the first a 2-1 reverse at Spurs that lifted Harry Redknapp's side off the bottom of the table.
Though Liverpool gained revenge on the final day, the damage had already been done, with a first league title since 1990 eluding the Reds despite 10 wins from their last 11 games.
Nine years after leaving White Hart Lane without a first team appearance to his name, Peter Crouch could make his Tottenham debut following his move from Portsmouth.
Like team-mate Robbie Keane, he will be hoping to prove a point to Rafael Benitez after being deemed surplus to requirements during a spell at Anfield.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Last season's 2-1 defeat is Liverpool's only loss in their last 10 league games against Tottenham.
• Spurs also beat the Reds in the fourth round of the League Cup on 12 November 2008.
Tottenham
• Spurs are chasing a seventh successive home league win. They are unbeaten in their last 11 top flight games at White Hart Lane. Everton were the last side to take maximum points at Spurs, winning 1-0 on 30 November 2008.
• Spurs made their worst start to a top flight season last year. When Harry Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane at the end of October, Spurs were bottom of the table with two points from eight games. They picked up 49 points from the remaining 30 matches to finish eighth.
• Tottenham's last hat-trick against the Reds was scored by Jimmy Greaves, who scored four at White Hart Lane in a 7-2 win in 1963.
Liverpool
• The Reds have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 league games.
• Liverpool's tally of 77 league goals last season was their best since 1990/91.
• A win would make Liverpool the first team to reach 5,000 points in the top flight of English football.
• Jamie Carragher has scored only three Premier League goals since making his debut 11 years ago. He has also scored three own goals against Tottenham (two at White Hart Lane).
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey, Simon Beck
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
MOST RECENT MEETING
Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham, 24 May 2009
Liverpool scorers: Torres 31, Hutton 64 og, Benayoun 81
Tottenham scorer: Keane 77
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Geez's Live Media Coverage
FOR SC LIVE CHAT, CLICK ON THIS BANNER
