While some might have started getting a little bored with the remarkable story of Leicester’s rise to glory and their chances to take the title after sitting on top for most of the season, Tottenham’s push for glory recently breathed a new life into the Premier League. It is definitely a two horse race now with the Spurs putting on some brilliant performance to ensure that they are still very much in as they demolished Stoke 4-0.
Sitting only five points behind the League leaders, Mauricio Pochettino’s men have a good few factors going for them, including a superior goal difference and enough time – with only four games to go – to pinch the title. But what makes Tottenham such a threat that they could make a dramatic come from behind charge and deny what would be an incredible story?
First of all, they possess two of the league’s hottest goal scorers in the England duo of Harry Kane and Dele Alli. The partnership these two have stuck up has been phenomenal, especially considering they have only been together for this season alone. The English teammates have a fantastic understanding of each other’s game and are the main reason why the north London club have outscored every Premier League team thus far. Alli has provided the assist for seven of Kane’s 24 goals. Between them they have scored or assisted 37 of Tottenham’s 64 goals – that’s over 50 percent.
Surprisingly, in a team with such an incredible attack, there is also a very well structured defence to balance it all out. A lot of praise may be heaped upon Kane and Alli’s shoulders, but one must spare a thought for the men at the back, they are potentially even more important in this title chase. Spurs have tightened up their defense and after last season where they were one of only four teams to leak more than 53 goals, this season it has been less than half of that at 25.
A lot of the praise must go to Toby Alderweireld for and a beautiful partnership with Belgium team-mate Jan Vertonghen. These two have managed to halt even the shots on target with Tottenham topping that list with only 102.
And that is another incredible factor to Spurs’ game, their stats. While they may not be No. 1 on the table, they surely are in some other areas. They have scored the most goals (64), scored the most goals from set-pieces (17), created the most chances (449) and had the most shots on target (234). Their goal difference (+39) is far superior to their nearest rivals.
Finally, in this race for the line, it is important to compare the remaining fixtures Spurs and Leicester have. They both play home and away twice in the last four games, but Spurs will be much happier with their remaining opposition. Next up for Spurs are West Brom at home before a game at Chelsea, Â Southampton at home and Newcastle away. Claudio Ranieri’s men have Swansea first before Manchester United, Everton, and Chelsea to finish off the season on a high note.
Things have only been on the up for the Spurs while for Leicester, their draw at West Ham and the upcoming suspension of Jamie Vardy will hurt them.