This article is part of our Game Previews series.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW17)
Gameweek 17 of the Premier League features a high-profile matchup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as 11th-place Tottenham host seventh-place Liverpool with both clubs pushing to climb the table.
Manager Arne Slot is working to revive the defending champions' form, with Liverpool unbeaten across their last five matches and sitting just two points behind fourth-place Chelsea.
Tottenham's home performances have been a point of concern among supporters, and Thomas Frank will look to quiet the doubts by guiding Spurs to consecutive home league victories for the first time this season.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Saturday's Tottenham vs. Liverpool match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
When & Where to Watch (USA/UK)
Saturday, December 20 at 12:30 PM ET/9:30 AM PT
US schedule
- TV Channel: NBC or USA Network (check local listings)
- Live Stream: Peacock
UK schedule
- TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Live Stream: Sky Go or NOW (with a Sky Sports pass)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool Head-to-Head Record
Tottenham and Liverpool have met 187 times, dating back to 1909 when Spurs earned a 1-0 victory in a League Division One matchup at their former home, White Hart Lane.
The Reds lead the all-time series, winning 90 times and drawing on 44 occasions.
Across the last 10 Premier League meetings between the sides, Liverpool has dominated Spurs, winning seven times and drawing twice.
Fixture Trivia
Question: In his Liverpool career, how many goal contributions has Mohamed Salah recorded in Premier League play versus Tottenham?
Gameweek 16 Trivia: Which Brighton player scored a decisive 90th minute goal in the FA Cup 4th Round matchup versus Liverpool in 2023?
Betting Odds and Predictions for Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: TOT +235 Draw +285, LIV +105
FanDuel: TOT +230 Draw +260, LIV +105
BetMGM: TOT +240 Draw +270, LIV +105
Bet365: TOT +250 Draw +275, LIV +100
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Tottenham (LWLDL) have conceded at least two goals in four of their last five league matches. Unfortunately for Frank, Spurs' attack has not veiled their poor defensive effort, as the North Londoners have earned just four points from their last five league fixtures.
Liverpool (WWDDW) have rebounded form a 4-1 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven by going unbeaten across their last five fixtures. Across that run, the Reds have earned two wins and two draws from their four domestic fixtures and defeated Inter Milan in Champions League play.
FORMATIONS
Tottenham typically deploy a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation to begin fixtures under Frank. A key aspect of Spurs' identity is to establish an organized and aggressive press when out of possession. When Tottenham opt to sit deep, look for a 4-5-1 shape as they attempt to stunt any fluidity in the opponent midfield. When looking to push forward, Frank is likely to shift the team into a 3-5-2.
Liverpool are most accustomed to lining-up in a 4-2-3-1. The double-pivot is intended to shield a Liverpool backline that has conceded 24 goals, the 10th-most in the Premier League. When operating optimally, the double-pivot provides the talented Liverpool full-backs license to make overlapping runs into the attacking half of the pitch.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur Injury News & Lineup Notes
Frank will have to select a Tottenham starting XI from a protracted list of available players as Spurs manage long-term injuries alongside absences due to the African Cup on Nations.
Defensively, Destiny Udogie picked up a hamstring injury in Tottenham's draw versus Newcastle earlier in December. Speaking ahead of their Champions League victory over Slavia Prague, Frank stated, "Destiny, as I said after the [Brentford] game, picked up a hamstring injury at the end of the Newcastle game, so he's out until January, unfortunately." Look for Djed Spence to assume Udogie's role at left full-back.
Radu Dragusin (knee) and Kota Takai (foot) have each resumed training with the team in their quest to return from long-term injuries. The pair took part in a U-21match earlier in December and should be available once they've rebuilt their fitness levels.
In the midfield, Frank will be without Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma as they represent their home countries at AFCON. Dejan Kulusevski (knee) remains without a timetable for his return as he works to recover from a significant knee injury suffered late last season. Expect Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall to pair as holding midfielders with Joao Palhinha and Archie Gray serve as options off of the bench.
Tottenham's attacking threat has been stymied by the absences of James Maddison (knee) and Dominic Solanke (ankle). Maddison has resumed training on grass, but, according to TottenhamHotspur.com, the attacker remains without a timetable for his return. Additionally, Frank has tempered expectations of an imminent Solanke return by stating, "When (Solanke) he is training fully with the team, that is when I will say something ... he is training by himself [on the grass]."
Richarlison is likely to be asked to continue to spearhead the Spurs' attack in Solanke's continued absence.
Liverpool Injury News & Lineup Notes
Slot is managing through injuries, suspensions and availability questions.
Defensively, Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) could return after Slot mentioned in last week's press conference that he expected the full-back to rejoin the team this week. In Frimpong's absence versus Brighton, Joe Gomez (hamstring) was forced off after just 26 minutes and is expected to miss Saturday's match. If Frimpong remains unavailable, look for Conor Bradley to lineup at right-back. Alternative option Dominik Szoboszlai (ankle) is hopeful to be ready for Saturday's match, according to James Pearce of The Athletic but may be limited to minutes off the bench.
In the midfield, Wataru Endo (ankle) suffered an injury and is ruled out for several weeks, according to the Liverpool Echo. Fellow midfielder Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) returned to training nearly a month ago but has yet to make an appearance this season. Look for Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones to comprise a formidable Liverpool engine room, albeit devoid of depth.
Further up the pitch, Mohamed Salah, who was reintegrated to the squad in Liverpool's victory over Brighton, will be unavailable as he represents Egypt at AFCON. In Salah's absence, Slot could deploy new signings Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in a strike partnership to catalyze the Reds' attack.
Liverpool's long-term absences include Cody Gakpo (undisclosed) who is set to miss weeks with an injury, per manager Arne Slot, and Giovanni Leoni who will miss the entire season after suffering a significant knee injury.
KEY MATCHUPS
Virgil van Dijk & Ibrahima Konate vs. Richarlison
Richarlison has been tasked with leading the line for the Spurs in the absence of an alternative striker. Across his last five Premier League appearances (four starts), he has attempted six shots (two on goal) and scored twice. Conversely, van Dijk and Konate have led the Reds to successive clean sheets versus Inter Milan & Brighton.
If van Dijk and Konate are able to contain Richarlison Saturday, Tottenham will have to seek inspiration elsewhere as the striker's six goals comprise 24% of Spurs' total in league play.
Liverpool Strikers vs. Tottenham Central Defenders
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have each provided goals fit for the highlight reel this season. However, the central-defensive partnership will be tasked with a job more characteristic to their respective skillsets Saturday as they are likely to face a strike partnership on which Liverpool splurged approximately $276,000,0000 during the summer transfer window.
Ekitike has notched a brace in each of his last two Premier League appearances (two starts), and Isak has scored once across his last five league appearances (three starts).
Expect at least one of either Ekitike or Isak to score Saturday as Tottenham have conceded multiple goals in five of their last six league fixtures.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Florian Wirtz has had a slow start to life in England, but signs of life are self-evident. Across the attacker's last five appearances (four starts) in all competitions he has attempted seven shots (two on goal) and created 10 chances.
As Spurs look to deploy their aggressive press at home without a full-compliment of midfielders, I back Wirtz to serve as Slot's one-man press-breaker and catalyze the Liverpool attack with progressive passes into the attacking half. Look for Wirtz to create multiple chances Saturday and earn his first Premier League goal contribution.
RESULT
Tottenham 0 - Liverpool 2
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Tottenham: Dec. 28 at Crystal Palace
Liverpool: Dec. 27 vs. Wolverhampton
