Tottenham Hotspur welcome in-form Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night in the third round of the FA Cup in an all-Premier League clash.
Thomas Frank will be a man under even more pressure following his side’s 3-2 defeat away to out-of-form Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
Spurs have now won just two of theIr previous 12 Premier League encounters (W2-D4-L6), leaving them languishing in 14th position, six points behind fifth-placed Brentford.
Aston Villa dropped points for only the third time in 16 matches in the Premier League on Wednesday night, as they played out a goalless draw at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.
That draw means they remain in third position, just five points behind leaders Arsenal, who played at home to champions Liverpool on Thursday night.
How the bookies view it: Tough one to call
The bookies are finding it hard to separate these two clubs, with Tottenham marginal favourites at 6/4 to win inside 90 minutes, and 4/5 to qualify at bet365.
Aston Villa are a slightly larger 13/8 to win in regulation time, and 19/20 to qualify, also at bet365.
Head to head: Three wins on the spin for Villa
Aston Villa have won each of their previous three meetings with Spurs, including coming from behind to win 1-2 at this venue in the Premier League in October.
Given the form of both of these clubs, the 19/20 on offer at bet365 for Aston Villa To Qualify looks good value here.
Think you’ve found odds that look too good to be true? Explore our Value Betting guide and learn when a price is genuinely favourable.
Players to watch: Ollie to strike again?
I successfully backed Ollie Watkins to score in Aston Villa’s win over Nottingham Forest last Saturday, and even though he drew a blank in midweek at Selhurst Park, I’m keen to back him again here.
The England international has scored four goals and provided an assist across his last five appearances for Villa, and the 21/20 on offer at bet365 for Watkins to Score or Assist on Saturday appeals to me here.
Predicted line-ups:
Spurs will be without Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur and Mohammed Kudus through injury, whilst Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr are away at AFCON. Lucas Bergvall is also a doubt.
Aston Villa will be without the injured Amadou Onana, Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley, Evann Guessand is away to the Africa Cup of Nations, and goalkeeper Emi Martinez is a doubt after going off at half time in midweek.
Tottenham Hotspur: Kinsky, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Gray, Palhinha, Tel, Simons, Odobert, Richarlison
Aston Villa: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemens, Buendia, Rogers, Malen, Watkins
Anything else catch the eye?
In contrast to the Everton vs Sunderland tie that I’ve covered earlier in the day, I think this clash could be an entertaining cup tie full of goals.
Prior to their goalless draw with Crystal Palace in midweek, Over 2.5 Goals had landed in each of Aston Villa’s last eight and 11 of their past 12 matches in all competitions.
What’s more, 10 of Tottenham’s previous 14 clashes in all competitions have also seen Over 2.5 Goals payout, and a repeat pays an appealing 10/11 at bet365.
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