Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has shared his opinions ahead of the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow evening.
Spurs go into the match with the incentive of knowing that a victory will be enough to take them into seventh in the table and overtake rivals Arsenal ahead of Sunday’s North London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Nicholas believes that Tottenham will face a frustrating evening on the south coast and will come up short against the relegation battlers and leave the Vitality Stadium empty handed in what would be a significant blow to their hopes of playing European football next season.
Bournemouth are looking to avoid their sixth successive defeat in the top flight while Spurs are looking to secure rare back to back victories following the 1-0 win against Everton on Monday night.
The former Arsenal player claimed that the likes of Harry Kane are looking tired and Mourinho should look to make changes.
He told Sky Sports: “It is a quick turnaround for teams at the moment. Bournemouth will be a bit fresher but the way games are panning out, it could probably be an advantage. Tottenham v Everton was so boring – Everton did not try a leg until the last five minutes.
“Tottenham brought Toby Alderweireld back into the side. Was it a surprise that they kept a clean sheet? Everton were so bad. Looking at the breakdown of what Tottenham look like is quite hard to do. They are now in behind Arsenal in eighth.
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“I was thinking Harry Kane needed games to get fitness, but he was still blowing hard in the last 15 minutes. He has not got a rest. The likes of Dele Alli and Lucas Moura can get a rest as they can rotate those players in behind Kane. He cannot have that luxury. The energy levels look ragged as these matches are constant.
“The Carabao Cup and FA Cup allows players to get a rest, but there is no time for resting here. Jose Mourinho probably needed the result more than anyone against Everton.
“Bournemouth should have a bit of confidence from the two goals they netted at Old Trafford. The importance of Callum Wilson is massive. He is back from suspension, will have the freshness on his side and could be the difference.
“I do think Tottenham look tired, and Mourinho probably does need to make changes. He does not like doing that though, but the evidence is there.
“There have been some surprising results since the restart, and there may be another one here. If Wilson comes in, he could make all the difference. Tottenham look ordinary and they look tired, but they could spring into action, as Bournemouth are there for the taking, but they have to go after it, and go after the first goal. Bournemouth will blow the bottom of the table wide open again.
“Prediction: 2-1.”
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