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Has there been a more unpredictable team in Premier League history than Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur?
Heading into this weekend, only Chelsea (37) have scored more than their 36 goals and, rather surprisingly, only Liverpool (13) and Arsenal (15) have conceded fewer than their 19.
Spurs’ goal difference of +17 is the third best in the division, yet they're 10th.
That's in part a reflection of the tight nature of this season’s top flight, but in the main due to Tottenham’s consistent inconsistency.
In between throwing away two-goal leads to lose against Brighton and Chelsea they won 4-0 at Manchester City long before it was commonplace.
Fraser Forster's meltdown against Manchester United threatened to become the new nadir of Spursyness before Heung-min Son scored directly from a corner to complete the latest chapter in Postecoglou's 18 months of chaos.
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The Reds have shown an extra level of defensive discipline against 'stronger' opponents this season, with six clean sheets in their past 13 matches coming against Manchester City, Aston Villa and in all four Champions League ties.
Additionally, Alisson Becker will play his third game since returning from injury.
With arguably the best keeper in the world starting in goal, Liverpool have kept seven clean sheets in 10 matches this season, conceding just four times.
With Caoimhin Kelleher, still a wonderful stand-in, it's six clean sheets in 12 matches, conceding 12 times.
Spurs have scored one goal or fewer on nine occasions this season, so it doesn't feel outlandish backing the best defence in the league to keep them out.
Postecoglou's side are certainly at a disadvantage too, playing less than three days on from a lung-busting encounter with Manchester United.
Tottenham's home matches against higher quality opposition have followed a fairly consistent pattern this season, continuing in Thursday's 4-3 win over United, a match that saw 29 shots in total.
There were 30 in the , 28 in a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa and a staggering 42 in the 2-2 draw with Roma.
Only Spurs' 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal (22) - a match with the added complexity of being a hard-fought derby - bucks the trend.
Spurs look likely to be forced to continue with 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray in central defence alongside the talented but inexperienced Radu Dragusin.
Marking Van Dijk is unlikely to be a job for which they'll be desperately volunteering.
Destiny Udogie is the only Tottenham player given any chance of returning to fitness in time for Sunday, with that likely to be the only change to the XI that beat Manchester United on Thursday.
Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Mikey Moore, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are all injured, while Rodrigo Bentancur is partway through a lengthy ban.
Liverpool are expected to revert to their full strength team after making plenty of changes for their midweek Carabao Cup win at Southampton.
Andy Robertson is back from suspension but Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley remain out injured.
Tottenham: Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke.
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.
Odds correct at 1100 GMT (20/12/24)
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