TipStar: Tottenham Hotspur vs Brentford preview and prediction

Tottenham's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur in London, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/category/721/football-tips">Tottenham Hotspur<, looking to secure their place in Europe next season, will welcome a depleted Brentford side to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/category/721/football-tips">Premier League< on Saturday afternoon (2:30pm)

The Bees, who are without their top scorer Ivan Toney, are currently ninth in the table, just four points behind Spurs, who are in seventh. With only two games remaining, both teams will be

For Tottenham, their European dreams hang in the balance, as they desperately aim to avoid slipping from their UEFA Conference League position. They now seek redemption within the confines of home having weathered a tough spell on their travels, enduring a winless streak spanning seven games,

Spurs have been in good form at home recently, winning six of their last eight matches. They have also scored at least one goal in each of those games, and Harry Kane has been in particularly good form, scoring in nine of his last 10 Premier League appearances.

Brentford, on the other hand, have been struggling away from home recently, losing three of their last four matches. They are also without their top scorer Ivan Toney, who is serving an eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules. They have kept only two clean sheets in their last 10 games, and are winless in 4 last meetings against Spurs.

Brentford's Ivan Toney celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brentford, at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Nov.12, 2022. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Despite their recent struggles, Brentford have a good record in London derbies, and they will be hoping to maintain that unbeaten run. The match promises to be an exciting one, with the reverse fixture having ended in a 2-2 draw.

Team News

Tottenham: Hugo Lloris, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur have all been sidelined for the rest of the season due to hip, thigh and knee injuries respectively. Defensive duo Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga picked up knocks and are doubtful having missed the loss to Aston Villa.

The rest of the team remains fit, with top scorer Harry Kane expected to lead an attack alongside Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski. Emerson Royal should start in a back three alongside Cristian Romero and Clement Lenglet, with new signing Pedro Porro expected at right wing, and Ben Davies or Ivan Perisic on the left. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp should both start in midfield.

Brentford: Striker Ivan Toney is serving an eight-month ban from all football-related activity but Bretford could still find the back of the net with Yoane Mbisa and Bryan Mbeumo all available upfront. Christian Norgaard, Pontus Jansson Keane Lewis-Potter and Thomas Strakosha remain on the sidelines with Achilles, hamstring, knee and calf injuries respectively. Brentford could also play with a back three, with Ben Mee and Ethan Pinnock and possibly Zanka. Mathias Jorgensen and Mikkel Damsgaard are expected to start in midfield with Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry on the flanks.

Tottenham Hotspur form (Last six Premier League games): LLDLWL

Brentford form (Last six Premier League games): LDWWLW

Tottenham's possible starting XI:

Forster, Lenglet, Romero, Royal, Porro, Skipp, Hojberg, Davies, Kulusevski, Harry Kane, Son,

Brentford's possible starting XI:

Raya, Pinnock, Mee, Zanka, Hickey Jensen, Janelt, Damsgaard, Henry, Wissa, Mbeumo.

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/category/721/football-tips">STANDARD TIPSTAR PREDICTION<: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Brentford

With the reverse fixture having ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, we expected more of the same and a GOAL-GOAL would be a safe bet. However, a HOME WIN is most likely if head-to-head history and form are anything to go by.

We expect a close contest with goals, with Spurs edging it by at least a goal in the end.