Two clubs that remain winless in the Premier League this season meet in North London in the lunchtime kickoff on Saturday as Tottenham Hotspur entertain Aston Villa.
Roberto De Zerbi’s hosts’ began the campaign with a dismal 3-0 defeat away at London rivals Brentford, before suffering a disappointing 0-2 defeat at home to Newcastle United, leaving them propping up the Premier League table.
They have since followed that up with back-to-back draws away at Nottingham Forest and at home to Everton, but the Spurs faithful have still yet to see their side score in the Premier League this term.
The Lilywhites also exited the Carabao Cup in midweek, as they were beaten 3-1 at Anfield by Liverpool.
Aston Villa have also endured a tough start to their Premier League campaign, as they have picked up a solitary point across their opening four league outings (W0-D1-L3).
The latest of those setbacks came at home to Nottingham Forest last weekend, as they conceded late on to lose 1-2.
However, unlike their hosts, Unai Emery’s men advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup thanks to a 1-3 victory away at Coventry City.
How the bookies view it: Spurs favourites
Despite failing to score a goal, let alone win, in the Premier League this season, Spurs are favourites to claim all three points here, with bet365 pricing a home win at 19/20.
Aston Villa are 14/5 to follow up their cup win away at Coventry City in midweek, whilst the draw is 13/5.
Head to head: Away joy last season
Aston Villa won the opening two meetings between these two sides last season by a 1-2 scoreline, as they followed up their win in the Premier League by knocking Spurs out of the third round of the FA Cup.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men got their revenge at the beginning of May, as they too won by a 1-2 scoreline at Villa Park.
Players to watch: Another card for McGinn?
John McGinn is no stranger to the referee’s notebook, and that is evident once again this season, with the Villa captain already booked four times in all competitions.
That includes twice in the Premier League against Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal, and the Scottish international looks value at 12/5 at bet365 to pick up another card in North London on Saturday.
Predicted line-ups:
Spurs will be without the injured Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski, Mykhalo Mudryk and the ineligible Richarlison, whilst Pedro Porro and Sandro Tonali are doubts.
Aston Villa also have a few players missing through injury, with Pau Torres, Amadou Onana, Leon Goretzka and Brian Madjo all unavailable.
Tottenham Hotspur: Kinsky, Gray, van Hecke, van de Ven, Robertson, Bergvall, Bentancur, Savio, Fernandes, Tel, Marmoush
Aston Villa: Suzuki, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen, Kamara, Barkley, McGinn, Buendia, Hemmings, Jackson
Anything else catch the eye?
These two clubs have remarkably scored just one Premier League goal between them so far this season, so you know what that means, we’ll see a high-scoring encounter in North London on Saturday.
Both teams were on opposite ends of a 3-1 scoreline in the cup in midweek, whilst each of Villa’s last three matches in all competitions have gone Over 2.5 Goals.
Given the attacking quality on show for both teams, I’m happy to risk backing Over 2.5 Goals, which pays 4/5 at bet365.
Aston Villa are unbeaten in each of their last three away matches in all competitions (W2-D1-L0), and can be backed at +0.5 on the Asian Handicap, meaning we still profit should the game result in a draw.
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