Premier League: Burnley Next for Mourinho’s Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley

It seems like he’s never been away, but Jose Mourinho has only been back in the Premier League limelight for two weeks and he’s already won three games.

The start of Mourinho’s reign at Spurs has been everything we expected; entertaining, impressive and bewildering, but there’s no doubt the Portuguese legend has made an immediate impact. Premier League: Spurs vs Burnley is his next challenge and, after winning three and losing one while conceding two goals in each game, this is not a match to miss.

This time last season, Spurs and Burnley were at opposite ends of the league table. After a Europa League fixture clog, Burnley were 19^th with just nine points on the board, while Spurs were in a three-horse race for the title on 33 points. But this season, after 15 games, a win for the Clarets would lift them above Spurs. SBOBET odds back a home win, but Sean Dyche’s team arrive in North London on the back of two defeats and he’ll be determined to avoid another at all costs.

Talking Points

Alli is back on song

After winning his first three games in charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Jose’s luck ran out on his return to Old Trafford on Wednesday when he saw his team beaten 2-1 by his former club. But Dele Alli scored his fourth goal under the new boss, in spectacular fashion, and he looks like a new player. Mourinho needs him to keep firing.

Harry Kane (7) and Alli (5) have scored the same number of goals between them as Burnley’s strike pair of Chris Wood (6) and Ashley Barnes (6), and with all respect to the Clarets, that’s not the most impressive statistic for the England duo. But Alli has scored in three consecutive games for the first time since March 2017 and he’ll be up for the challenge against Burnley.

Can Christian Eriksen help Tottenham Hotspur make a comeback as they host Burnley in Premier League? — Christian Eriksen in action during Tottenham Hotspur’s clash against Man United

Two of Spurs unsettled trio, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, are back in the fold and Christian Eriksen made an appearance against Manchester United so, while these are early days there are encouraging signs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Mourinho has had a run in with Burnley before. The Clarets held his Chelsea side to a draw at Stamford Bridge in 2015 after Nemanja Matic was sent off after an altercation with Burnley’s Barnes. Jose was furious as it was the first points his side had dropped at home.

Burnley’s defence needs to tighten up

In their sixth season in the Premier League Burnley have become a difficult team to beat, built on the foundation of a resolute defence, an energetic midfield and a dangerous front two. But the Clarets were out of sorts on Tuesday night against Manchester City as the Sky Blues cut their defence to ribbons while Burnley rarely threatened City’s rearguard.

That followed a disappointing 0-2 home reversal to Crystal Palace and Dyche will be keen to shore things up against Spurs. He has plenty of talent at the back, England defender James Tarkowski partners the granite tough Ben Mee at the heart of defence. Goalkeeper Nick Pope kept a clean sheet on his first start for England against Kosovo and he’ll be hoping to get the nod over Everton’s Jordan Pickford at Euro 2020.

Midfield man Ashley Westwood has been sorely missed in the last two games and Burnley fans will hope he’ll be back to add bite and composure in the middle of the park.

History

The head to head Spurs vs Burnley results have been in the London club’s favour.

Spurs have won nine to Burnley’s four and there have been three draws over the last 16 meetings

Last season, Spurs won this fixture 1-0 thanks to an injury time strike from Christian Eriksen, while the Clarets beat the Whites 2-1 at Turf Moor to end Spurs title challenge.

But they haven’t won away to Spurs in their last seven encounters in the capital city.

Betting Tip

	Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley	2-3 Goals @ 2.08
	December 07, 23:00 (GMT+8)

Jose’s boys should have too much for Burnley and should be able to break the Clarets’ impressive defence down, but with the Spurs vs Burnley betting odds pitching them at 1.43 I wouldn’t back them.

Burnley are at 6.80 to win and the draw is at 4.50. I expect Spurs to triumph, but I think the value is in the 2-3 goals bracket.

2-0 and 2-1 to Spurs are both available at 7.20 …take your pick.