Stoke v Tottenham

By Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator

TEAM NEWS

Stoke pair Rory Delap and Jermaine Pennant could return after missing the win over Everton with minor injuries.

Andy Wilkinson injured his back in training and faces a fitness test, while goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is fit after mild concussion.

Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe and Sandro are all doubts for Sunday’s game, as is captain Ledley King.

They remain without defender Michael Dawson and midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Niko Kranjcar.

MATCH PREVIEW

The old master visits his protégé as Harry Redknapp goes for a Bournemouth reunion. Tony Pulis took his first management steps as Harry’s assistant at Dean Court in 1991 and took over when Redknapp left for West Ham a year later. They remain firm friends and will no doubt swap Europa League yarns after the game.

But while Stoke have saved their best for Europe, Tottenham clearly can’t wait to get out of the competition so they can concentrate on clinching a top-three place.

If they avoid defeat at the Britannia they’ll stretch their unbeaten league run to 12 matches – their best run since 1984/85. It is the finest Spurs side since Terry Venables’ FA Cup winners and has the potential to get even better.

They’ve won six successive league victories for the first time since 1990. Their attacking play is sumptuous. Scott Parker has added the missing defensive quality from the heart of midfield and Brad Friedel is their most consistent keeper in recent years.

But there will be trepidation over this trip. Old boys Peter Crouch , Matthew Etherington, Wilson Palacios and Jon Woodgate lie in wait with points to prove. Redknapp has respect for Kenwyne Jones and Ricardo Fuller after managing them on the South Coast.

Stoke may have suffered from hiccups this season as they’ve tried to juggle Thursday European football and Sunday Premier League action, but they’ve won their last two top-flight games and rediscovered the resilience that deserted them in the early autumn.

They also beat Spurs in the Carling Cup this season and know they can probe away at Tottenham’s Achilles heel: 36% of Stoke goals this season have come from headers. That’s the highest rate in the Premier League. Tottenham have conceded 31% of their goals from headers. That’s also the highest in the division.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• This is the 81st meeting between the sides. Tottenham have won 40, Stoke 22 and there have been 18 draws.
• Tottenham have won on their last two visits to the Britannia Stadium in the league by the same scoreline, 2-1.
• There have been three red cards and three penalties in the three Premier League meetings between Stoke and Tottenham at the Britannia.
• They drew 0-0 after extra-time in the Carling Cup third round earlier this season with Stoke winning 7-6 on pens.

Stoke

• Stoke are eighth in the table despite scoring only 14 goals in their 14 matches this season – only Wigan and West Brom have scored less.
• Only five of those 14 goals this campaign have been scored from open play.
• Their only two shots on target at Everton last week were from their two centre-halves.

Tottenham

• Tottenham’s record of six successive league wins is their best since 1990.
• Their record of 11 matches unbeaten is their best since they managed it under Gerry Francis in October to December 1995.
• Spurs have seen more opponents sent off against them (four) than any other Premier League team this season.
• They have averaged more shots on target per game (7.4) this season than any other top-flight club, including Man City.
• Gareth Bale has scored four and assisted four goals in his last five Premier League appearances.
• Tottenham have won their last three Premier League away games – they have never won four in a row on the road.