Everything on... Bournemouth

As we look to secure our place in the top four this weekend, we travel to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday (12.30pm).

In our previous meeting this season, we stormed to a 5-0 victory over the Cherries thanks to goals from Christian Eriksen, Lucas Moura, Harry Kane and a brace from Heung-Min Son.

Here’s everything you need to know about our opponents this weekend...

Team news

Eddie Howe has several injury concerns ahead of our visit to the Vitality Stadium with Dan Gosling (calf), Adam Smith (knee), David Brooks (ankle) and Dominic Solanke (hamstring) all doubts ahead of the game.

Junior Stanislas, Charlie Daniels, Simon Francis, Lewis Cook and Andrew Surman all remain long-term absentees and will not play again this season.

One to watch

In previous seasons, the misfortune of a series of serious injuries have restricted the progress of striker Callum Wilson but, this campaign, despite a knee issue which kept him out for six games, he has shown exactly what he is capable of.

A total of 14 goals in 28 games - a strike rate of a goal every other game - is his best return in his four seasons so far in the top flight while with the addition of 10 assists from the centre-forward means Wilson has been involved in 24 goals in 28 appearances this campaign.

His form in the league saw him earn his first call-up to the England national team for their friendly against the USA in November and the former Coventry City man delivered on his maiden appearance as he fired home the Three Lions’ third goal in their 3-0 win.

Last five meetings

26 December, 2018 – Spurs 5-0 AFC Bournemouth – Premier League
11 March, 2018 – AFC Bournemouth 1-4 Spurs – Premier League
14 October, 2017 – Spurs 1-0 AFC Bournemouth – Premier League
15 April, 2017 – Spurs 4-0 AFC Bournemouth – Premier League
22 October, 2016 – AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Spurs – Premier League

Previous clash

In a Boxing Day battle at Wembley, we cantered past Bournemouth, scoring five goals as we moved up to second in the Premier League.

In the space of 19 first-half minutes, we were 3-0 ahead thanks to strikes from Eriksen, Son and Lucas, with Kyle Walker-Peters assisting each of the goals.

In the second period, we further asserted our dominance with a well-taken volley from Kane on 61 minutes before Son made it 5-0 nine minutes later as he rounded Asmir Begovic and slotted home.

Bournemouth’s form

Despite enjoying a bright start to their campaign, it has been a stuttering 2019 for Eddie Howe's side with nine defeats in their 16 games so far this calendar year.

The south coast outfit have also managed just one win in their last six games, but they did show their fighting spirit in their previous outing, as they twice came from behind to draw 3-3 with neighbours Southampton.

That result, as well as Fulham’s victory over Cardiff City, was enough to secure Bournemouth’s place in the top flight for a fifth consecutive season.

Magic moment

Back in October, 2015, Kane picked up the match ball as we claimed a 5-1 victory in our first ever Premier league meeting with AFC Bournemouth. We went behind inside 60 seconds on our first visit to the Vitality Stadium but within eight minutes, Kane had us back on terms from the spot after he had been brought down in the box by Artur Boruc.

Completing the turnaround before the clock hit the 20-minute mark through Mousa Dembele, Erik Lamela then extended our lead as he tapped in from close range on the half-hour.

It would be all Kane in the second period, however, as the England international doubled his tally on 56 minutes when he slid in Eriksen’s cross.

Then, seven minutes later, the striker reacted quickest after Boruc fumbled Toby Alderweireld’s header to poke the ball home and complete his treble.

Played for both

Goal machine Jermain Defoe made a name for himself as an 18-year-old while spending the 2000/01 season on loan with Bournemouth before later enjoying two very fruitful spells on our books.

Starting his professional career at West Ham, Defoe was loaned out to the Cherries just weeks after making his professional debut for the Hammers, but he would thrive in his new environment, scoring 18 goals in just 29 appearances in Dorset.

The striker returned to east London at the end of that season and spent a further three campaigns with the Irons before moving to White Hart Lane in 2004. In two separate periods with us, the striker scored an impressive 143 goals for the Club in 363 appearances.

Also starring for Portsmouth, Toronto and Sunderland in his career, the England international returned to Bournemouth in 2017 where he scored four goals in 24 appearances. In January, he joined Rangers on an 18-month loan deal and he has continued to demonstrate his ability in front of goal with a strike rate of a goal every other game north of the border.

What they're saying

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe believes his side has learned a lot from their previous encounters with us and has complimented Mauricio Pochettino on the work he has done this season.

“Our games against Tottenham have been really challenging and I’d probably say our record against them has been mixed – and that’s being kind!" he said.

“We have found the exchanges tough but I think we have learned so much from the games, whether it be home or away.

“Every time we have gone into battle against them, we have come away learning certain things and trying to adapt our game to do better the next time.

“They have an outstanding manager and a great group of players who have done so well this season."