Since Stoke City have long since secured their safety in the Premier League, Mark Hughes understands that his team have nothing left to fight for in the last five games of the season. Reaching the qualification spots for the Europa League isn’t impossible, but is looking less and less likely, with Man United, West Ham, Liverpool and Southampton all sitting above The Potters. Five players from Stoke’s regular squad will be missing through injury, and although three of them could perhaps easily be replaced – Marc Wilson, Charlie Adam and Glen Johnson – the other two, in Jack Butland, John Walters, certainly leave a gaping void. The hosts may also be without another of their star players, as Marko Arnautovic is a doubt. In their last five home games Stoke won just twice.
Add all of that up, and gathering the right motivation here might be hard for Hughes’ men. It is only really a question of pride and playing in front of a home crowd that is likely to spur the hosts on tonight, although they might also relish the thought of dampening the visitors title hopes.
There should be no such motivational problems for Tottenham, who, knowing they could close the gap on league leaders Leicester with a win tonight, will be throwing everything at this one. There are no injury concerns for the North London club and they are likely to be as determined as ever after Leicester dropped points yesterday. And the possibility of avenging a late Stoke comeback when these teams last met at the lane – back at the start of the season – should fire the visitors up even more.
All things considered we can back Spurs to win and total match goals over 1.5. This maybe the last chance for Spurs to keep their title dreams alive, and with that in mind they must win.