Spurs out to settle scores against Stoke and set nerves jangling at Leicester’s King Power Stadium
A first home win over Manchester United since 2001 may have maintained Tottenham’s Premier League title interest last week, but maximum points at Stoke on Monday night could heighten any jangling nerves at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
Victory in the Potteries would trim Leicester’s lead at the summit to five points after the 10-man Foxes required a last-gasp Leonardo Ulloa spot-kick to salvage a point at home to West Ham yesterday.
Stoke, however, have emerged as something of a stumbling block to Spurs in recent times. They are one of seven teams to take points off Tottenham at White Hart Lane this season, while Mark Hughes’ side completed a league double over the north London club last term.
“It was a tough time last year away at Stoke [3-0 defeat] and we dropped points against them at the start of the season, so obviously we’re looking to put that right,” said Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier.
“When you look at those early games now, they’re matches I look back on with great disappointment, to be honest. From a winning position against Stoke, 2-0 up at home, that’s the sort of game we should be winning.
“It’s one of the few games this season that I look back on with bad feelings.
“With the Manchester United game last week, we put one of the scores we had to settle right, so hopefully we can do that again.”
Striker Harry Kane is fit after suffering a dead leg against United and is set to lead the Tottenham line. Forward Clinton Nije has recovered from a knee problem, although midfielder Nabil Bentaleb remains sidelined.