Preview & Prediction: Norwich v Tottenham (From Haringey Independent)

Tottenham Hotspur look to strengthen place in the top four with a win against Norwich at Carrow Road

5:46pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Sport By Tom Allnutt

Team news

Tottenham's new signing Lewis Holtby is included in the squad and could make his debut although it is more likely the 22-year-old will start on the bench.

Jermain Defoe is expected to return while Benoit Assou-Ekotto could make his first Premier League start since September 1, which was coincidentally against the Canaries.

Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong will return to face his former club but on loan striker Harry Kane is not allowed to play against his parent club.

Where it will be won and lost

Norwich's confidence will be fragile after losing 1-0 to non-league Luton at the weekend and suffering five defeats out of their last six Premier League matches.

The challenge will be for Tottenham to break Norwich down. If Spurs score first Chris Hughton will be forced to go on the offensive and this could end up a cricket score.

But the longer the Canaries stay in the contest the more they will draw encouragement and the greater the chance they could catch Spurs on the break.

Norwich's biggest threat comes from out wide through Robert Snodgrass who could take advantage of Gareth Bale playing high and allowing him a one on one battle against Tottenham's left back.

Prediction

Tottenham may not have any fully fit strikers but they'll get enough chances to score a few anyway. 

Spurs win, 1-3.