Tottenham v Liverpool preview
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 09 May 2008
White Hart Lane provides the setting for a game that could be an occasion for players on each team when Liverpool face Tottenham on Sunday.
Tottenham 6/4 Draw 21/10 Liverpool 6/4
Dimitar Berbatov to open the scoring at 11/2
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A number of players could be making their final appearances for the home side with Spurs boss Juande Ramos having decided upon who will be making way in his summer reshuffle, and the future of Dimitar Berbatov remains a soap opera to which the conclusion appears no nearer. Paul Robinson has aggravated an ankle injury and will not feature, so could have already played his last game for the club.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has transfer listed John Arne Riise and has hinted he may be willing to listen to offers for Peter Crouch, so it could be a farewell for either of that pair if they play a part although Fabio Aurelio could return from a groin injury, thus putting paid to Riise’s hopes of starting. Harry Kewell has also been told he will be off in the summer and will rue being injured for this game – he has scored more goals against Spurs than any other Premier League opponent.
The first encounter between these sides this season at Anfield offered an entertaining 2-2 draw in one of Martin Jol’s last games in charge, and that is the only time in the sides’ last five meetings that Spurs have managed to score. The Lilywhites have not won any of their last seven league meetings with Liverpool.
Liverpool need a win to record their third best Premier League points haul, and the second best under Benitez, and if Tottenham lose then it will be their third lowest points total in Premier League history. If they concede four goals then it will be their worst ever defensive performance.
It should be a final day goalfest as White Hart Lane has seen more Premier League goals than any other ground this season with 78, and Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet on the final day of the season since 2002.
Prediction: 3-2
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