Match Dossier – Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspurs – 10 Mar 2013

Though Liverpool are in 7th position, they are still a big team. And, Spurs are on a brilliant form with win against heavyweights Arsenal and Inter Milan. With one playing for Champions League spot and the other playing for Europa League spot, the match is going to be the exciting match of the weekend.

Current Form: [Spurs cruising to the top]

Spurs are now undefeated in 12 matches and are in a very positive run of matches. Liverpool has 3 wins, 2 draws and a loss from their last 6 matches. Tottenham have a very strong advantage here.

Home and Away Form: [Spurs leads again]

In the last 5 home matches, Liverpool has won 4 and lost 1. Tottenham on the other hand remains undefeated in their last 6 away matches. Reds are with 12 points in 6 home games and Spurs are with 14 points in 6 away games now. Considering that playing away is difficult that at home, Spurs have an advantage here.

Head-to-Head Form: [Anfield is the only hope for Reds]

In the past 5 meetings,  Tottenham has won 4 and the remaining one ended in a draw. In the last 5 matches at Anfield, Liverpool has won 2, Tottenham has won 1 and the rest 2 ended in draws. Home factor only could help Liverpool.

Player Form (Attack): [Both teams armored heavily]

In the last 14 games, Liverpool have scored in all but one match. In the last 2 matches, they have scored 9 goals. In the last 11 games, Luis Suarez has scored 11 goals. He is currently in his best form. Tottenham have scored in all but one match in their last 10 matches. Gareth Bale has scored 7 goals in his last 5 matches. Both the teams are heavily loaded in attack and are balanced.

Player Form (Defense): [Lack of defensive discipline]

Both teams have conceded 33 (Spurs) and 34 (Reds) goals this season and are quite the same in the defense. Liverpool have 2 clean sheets and Tottenham have 1 clean sheet in the last 5 matches. They are both expected to concede goals.

[caption id="attachment_1603" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Players to watch - Luis Suarez & Gareth Bale[/caption]

Directions in which the league might steer:

1. Liverpool win: Europa league qualification fight will become intense. Tottenham might leave third place to Chelsea. Manchester City will move further up to affirm its position at second.


2. Draw: Fight for third place will become intense between Spurs and Chelsea. Liverpool might start facing the pressure from Swansea for 7th position.


3. Tottenham win: Manchester City will be pressurized to deliver results every match in order to avoid slip down. Liverpool might lose 7th position to Swansea.

Verdict: Tottenham Spurs have a very good possibility of winning this match.

If you have any statistics related to this match, please post it in comments. It will be published in EPL Statistics.

Related articles

• Can Liverpool Contain Gareth Bale? (lfcboston.wordpress.com)


• Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur: 6 Key Battles to Watch in Reds-Spurs (bleacherreport.com)

Match Dossier – Tottenham Hotspurs vs Arsenal – 03 Mar 2013

One of the most exciting rivalries of English Football is the North London Derby contested between Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal. This time is much more exciting as the race for the Champions League spot gets intense. They are separated by just 4 points. Spurs are in 3rd place and Arsenal are in 5th place with Chelsea sandwiched between them. A look into various form factors of Spurs and Gunners:

Current Form: [Slight advantage for Spurs]

Spurs are now undefeated in 11 matches and are in a very strong run. Gunners are now undefeated in 5 matches. Though a not matching run, both the teams have won all their last 3 matches. Spurs have a slight and not-so-significant advantage over Gunners.

Home and Away Form: [Lilywhites gets an upper hand]

In the last 7 home matches, Spurs were undefeated. Spurs have amassed 14 points in their last 6 home matches whereas Gunners have got 11 points from their last 6 away matches. Considering playing at away games to be tougher than at home games, Tottenham has an edge on the Home/Away form.

Head-to-Head Form: [Swinging between Lane and Emirates]

In the last 15 meetings between these teams at White Hart Lane, both teams have scored at least in 14 of them. Hence, the probability of seeing a clean sheet is very low. In the last 12 matches, 8 ended in draw and 2 ended in favor of each team. But in the last 4 away matches, Arsenal haven't won against Tottenham. In their last 5 matches at both homes, 2 matches were won each by both teams and one match ended in a draw. There is no significant advantage for any team. The only assurance is that the match will be all spiced up and delivered.

Player Form (Attack): [Both teams armored heavily]

In the last 6 matches, Arsenal have scored in all the matches with an average of 2 goals/game. Santi Cazrola have scored in the last 2 matches and is in top attack form. Gareth Bale is in his top form of his career and has scored 6 out of the last 4 matches. Spurs have scored in all their last 5 matches.

Player Form (Defense): [Lack of defensive discipline]

Both teams have just 2 clean sheets in their last 6 matches. They have conceded 6 and 5 goals in their last 6 matches. Defense will not be solid as it has not been the strength for both these teams.

Directions in which the league might steer:

1. Tottenham win: Spurs will give a tough challenge to Manchester City and Chelsea for the 2nd spot. Arsenal will lose out it's grip on Champions League spot fight.


2. Draw: Spurs will mostly lose the third position to Chelsea. Arsenal will not be affected from the current state much as it would just be an opportunity lost.


3. Arsenal win: Manchester City will become an untouchable of 2nd spot. The competition for 3rd, 4th and 5th position will become tight with just a point difference between Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal. This possibility will make the competition more interesting and exciting.

Verdict: Form factor is tilted towards Spurs lightly.

If you have any statistics related to this match, please post it in comments. It will be published in EPL Statistics.

Related articles

• Arsenal vs Spurs: 5 Predictions for the North London Derby (bleacherreport.com)


• Arsenal vs Tottenham: Top 5 Moments in North London Derby History (soccerwithoutlimits.com)