Tottenham Hotspur V Norwich City [Premier League]
Team News:
Younes Kaboul faces up to four months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee injury sustained at the end of last season, so William Gallas and Jan Vertonghen are likely to continue their partnership in defence.
New signing Mousa Dembele could start in place of Jake Livermore in central midfield, while Scott Parker (Achilles) is still a couple of weeks away from a return to training.
Emmanuel Adebayor looks set to make his first start for Tottenham since returning to the club, and Gylfi Sigurdsson may step in after Rafael Van Der Vaarts departure from the club.
Chris Hughton rested a number of key players for the Canaries’ clash with Scunthorpe United in the League Cup on Tuesday night, while Elliot Ward (ankle), Steven Whittaker (ankle) and Elliot Bennett (knee) are all doubts.
Wes Hoolahan could be handed his first start in the league this season behind Grant Holt, though a spot on the bench will have to suffice for new signing Mark Bunn.
Sebastien Bassong should start in central defence for Norwich, marking an almost immediate return to the club he left just weeks ago. Leon Barnett is likely partner the Cameroonian, with Michael Turner on the bench.
Match notes:
The season starts here for Tottenham after a hectic week's work in the transfer window as Andre Villas-Boas moved fast to reshape a squad who took just one point from their first two matches.
No slip-ups will be expected at their third attempt, against a Norwich side whose last visit to London ended in a 5-0 opening-day drubbing at Fulham.
Norwich won well at White Hart Lane last Easter but are probably revisiting at just the wrong moment.
Did you know?:
Gareth Bale hasn’t scored in the league for Tottenham since January, though bagged two goals against Norwich last season.
Tottenham have hit the woodwork three times so far this season, more often than any other side.
The match against Norwich will be Andre Villas-Boas’ third in charge of Spurs. His third game in charge of Chelsea was also a visit from Norwich, which resulted in a 3-1 win for the Portuguese manager.
Jermain Defoe (pictured, right) has had more shots on goal (13) and more shots on target (5) than any other player in the league.
Six of the last eight encounters between Spurs and Norwich have resulted in an away win.
Norwich have fielded more players (19) in the league this season than any other team.
Canaries boss Chris Hughton spent 28 years at White Hart Lane as a player and coach.
Norwich’s 2-1 win against Tottenham last season was their first victory over the north London outfit since 1993.
Since beating Tottenham in April, Norwich have won just one league match and conceded 20 goals in seven games.
Norwich won five away games last season, but never by more than a one-goal margin.
Possible starting 11:
Tottenham (Possible, 4-3-3): Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Dembele, Sandro, Sigurdsson, Bale; Lennon, Adebayor.
Out: Gomes (ankle), Parker (Achilles), Kaboul (knee).
Norwich (Possible, 4-4-2): Ruddy; R Martin, Bassong, Barnett, Garrido; Snodgrass, Howson, Johnson, Pilkington; Holt, Jackson.
Out: Butterfield, Lappin (both knee), Ward (leg), Whittaker (ankle).
Tests: Snodgrass (leg).
Referee: Mark Halsey.
V 
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Tony07
VDV's goals will be missed but he never see's out a game and was approaching 30 and seems prone to a hamstring or 2 every season, I can see why the deal was done especially at £10million+. I think it was equally important keeping Dawson, getting Lennon and even Defoe on new contracts, Daws and Defoe are much needed bench players and Lennon will be close to first choice, if not first choice.
