Premier League preview: Tottenham v Norwich

With both teams yet to post a win in the Premier League this campaign, plenty will be on the line when Tottenham host Norwich on Saturday.

Andre Villas-Boas’ start to his second lease on Premier League life has been hampered by the introduction of a few new faces and more broadly, the inevitable departure of Spurs’ key playmaker Lukas Modric to Real Madrid.

Post Paul Lambert, Norwich appear to be struggling, too, under new boss Chris Hughton.

Hughton’s men were humbled on the opening weekend in a 5-0 defeat at Fulham and will feel they should have got more than a 1-1 result at home to fellow strugglers QPR, who were also hammered 5-0 on the opening day of the season.

Meanwhile, Tottenham were far from disgraced as they conceded a late winner in a 2-1 loss at Newcastle and suffered the same fate on Saturday when West Brom clawed their way back at White Hart Lane in stoppage time for a 1-1 draw.

Many felt Villas-Boas was lucky to be handed another high-profile job after his acrimonious exit from Chelsea before the end of his first season in charge, and with all the comings and goings, Spurs fans will accept nothing less than what Harry Redknapp was able to achieve.

Modric’s 30-million-pound move will be a huge blow for Tottenham’s Champions League ambitions, yet it was hardly a surprise after more than a year of rumour – and the cash could be critical if spent well.

Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen provided a good piece of business after his move from Ajax and he was joined by compatriot Moussa Dembele this week, after his 15-million-pound move from Fulham.

The 25-year-old midfielder has grown in stature over the past season and could offer some relief for Modric’s departure.

Another important cog is Emmanuel Adebayor, who made his loan deal from Manchester City permanent for five million pounds after scoring 17 goals in 33 matches last season.

Villas-Boas knows he cannot fail again in England’s top flight, while Hughton has hefty shoes to fill of his own.

Norwich have hardly strengthened from the largely Championship-laden squad that performed so well last season after promotion, and will do well to avoid relegation this campaign.

Fresh from his move from Rangers, Steven Whittaker will likely line up for his first Premier League appearance against Spurs while defender Sebastien Bassong will face his former Spurs team-mates for the first time since his transfer last week.

Spurs may be without Rafael van der Vaart for the White Hart Lane clash with rumours suggesting he may be on his way back to Bundesliga outfit Hamburg, while influential midfielder Scott Parker (Achilles) will be out for at least another three weeks.