Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane (R) celebrates with Tottenham Hotspur’s Argentinian midfielder Erik Lamela after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at Wembley Stadium in London, on August 18, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON
EPL: Tottenham vs Cardiff – team news, preview and kick-off time
Tottenham host relegation candidates Cardiff at Wembley in the Premier League on Saturday.
Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane (R) celebrates with Tottenham Hotspur’s Argentinian midfielder Erik Lamela after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at Wembley Stadium in London, on August 18, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON
Tottenham are back in Premier League form as they prepare to host winless Cardiff at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
An early season wobble has been put to bed by Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who have hit back with successive EPL victories on the road.
Even Harry Kane seems to have found his mojo following a flat start to the new campaign after his World Cup Golden Boot-winning exploits.
The England captain scored a brace in Spurs’ comfortable 2-0 win at Huddersfield last weekend.
His impressive header from Kieran Trippier’s cross broke the deadlock, before the marksman slotted in from 12 yards after Danny Rose took a tumble in the Huddersfield box.
They had already sneaked a 2-1 win at Brighton a week before, despite a nervy finish on the south coast.
It leaves Spurs handily placed in fourth going into the weekend, four points off the top of the EPL – and just above arch-rivals Arsenal on goal difference.
Cardiff are not finding life easy at all on their return to the top flight.
Neil Warnock’s men are without a victory after seven games and passed up their best chance of snaffling three points last weekend.
The Bluebirds dominated Burnley, who are scrabbling to find form themselves, at the Cardiff City Stadium.
But it was a tale of missed opportunities, despite Josh Murphy’s beautiful finish to pull the scores level as the Clarets’ Welsh striker Sam Vokes sealed the deal for the visitors in a 2-1 win.
It leaves Cardiff firmly in the relegation zone with just two points on the board and a trip to the national stadium hardly looking like a jolly day out.
Tottenham team and injury news
Jan Vertonghen will miss at least the next month thanks to a hamstring problem.
The Dutch defender joins Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele on the sidelines.
Cardiff team and injury news
Junior Hoilett returns to the fold following a virus, although Aron Gunnarsson won’t return from his injury until after the international break.
Kick-off time
16:00 (SAST) at Wembley Stadium.
EPL form (most recent result first)
Tottenham: WWLLW
Cardiff: LLLLD
Premier League head-to-head record
Tottenham wins: 2
Cardiff wins: 0
Draws: 0
