Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Luckster
A revitalized Liverpool side and a Tottenham Hotspur team on a downward spiral meet in Saturday evening’s Premier League headline clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The reigning champions aim to stretch their unbeaten streak to six matches across all competitions, while Spurs risk setting an unwanted record for home defeats in their final fixture before Christmas.
Tottenham Hotspur
Just as Spurs seemed to be finding their rhythm under Thomas Frank—following a spirited comeback draw against Newcastle United and convincing home victories over Brentford and Slavia Prague—disaster struck at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest pair Ibrahim Sangare and Callum Hudson-Odoi ran riot, combining for three goals and three assists in a 3-0 demolition of the Europa League holders, who have now suffered three defeats in their last five Premier League outings.
With Spurs languishing in the bottom half of the table—six points adrift of Chelsea in the race for the final Champions League spot—speculation surrounding Frank’s future has intensified, though reports suggest he still enjoys the board’s backing for now.
Even so, internal doubts about the Dane persist, and he could preside over an unwanted chapter in Spurs history this weekend; a loss would mark their 11th Premier League home defeat in 2025, the most in a single calendar year.
Recent home form offers slight consolation, with three wins and just one loss in their last five at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but that will do little to ease concerns after last weekend’s debacle.
Team News
Midfield options are depleted by Africa Cup of Nations call-ups, with Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma away on duty for Senegal and Mali respectively, though Bissouma was already sidelined through injury and suspension.
Injury woes continue, as Dominic Solanke (ankle), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Destiny Udogie (thigh), and James Maddison (ACL) remain unavailable. However, Radu Dragusin (fitness) and Kota Takai (thigh) have featured in training friendlies and could return soon.
Archie Gray bore partial blame for Forest’s opener last week, while Rodrigo Bentancur also struggled, so Joao Palhinha and Lucas Bergvall may be drafted into the starting XI.
Liverpool
Off-field turmoil has dominated headlines for Liverpool recently, but their 2-0 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend offered respite, with Mohamed Salah—restored to the squad—making history.
Though still out of favor for the starting lineup, Salah came off the bench to assist Hugo Ekitike’s second goal, setting a new record for most Premier League goal contributions for a single club: an astonishing 277.
Now on international duty with Egypt at AFCON, Salah’s absence may not trouble Arne Slot too much, given Liverpool’s unbeaten run in five matches since his demotion from the XI.
Currently seventh, the Reds could break into the top four if results fall their way, though their away record remains a concern; among ever-present Premier League sides, only Bournemouth (16) have conceded two or more goals in more away games than Liverpool (15) since last season.
Nevertheless, Slot’s men defied those struggles with a 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan, and they have crushed Spurs in their last two meetings by a combined 9-1 scoreline, including April’s title-clinching 5-1 rout.
Team News
As noted, Salah is away at AFCON, but his absence is compounded by Dominik Szoboszlai’s ankle injury sustained against Brighton. Slot admitted the Hungarian “didn’t look great” post-match. Joe Gomez also picked up a muscle problem, though Conor Bradley returns from suspension and should cover for Gomez.
Jeremie Frimpong could feature after a thigh issue, but Wataru Endo (ankle), Cody Gakpo (muscle), and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain sidelined.
Conclusion
Tottenham vs Liverpool has produced more goals than any other Premier League fixture (206), with nine scored at this venue last season, but a more subdued contest seems likely this time.
Both teams enjoyed a rare week off, yet Szoboszlai’s potential absence robs Liverpool of their standout performer this season, alongside the departed Salah.
Still, Spurs’ injury-hit squad and shaky defence are hard to ignore, so the champions should maintain their upward momentum—and possibly tighten the pressure on Frank with another damaging defeat.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Luckster
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