Paul Merson predicts Tottenham v Southampton, delivers verdict on Kane
By Dominic Toner
Paul Merson has backed Tottenham to overcome Southampton on Sunday, but feels that the loss of Harry Kane will have a negative impact in the long run.
Spurs host the Saints in the Premier League and will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten home record in the top-flight this season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be without their star striker Kane, who was forced off in the club’s 6-0 win over over Millwall in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Spurs confirmed the 23-year-old has suffered ligament damage to his right ankle, but did not state how long he will be sidelined for.
Sky Sports report that Kane is estimated to be out for between four to six weeks and that could now have major repercussions on their pursuit of a Champions League spot.
Sky Sports pundit Merson believes Spurs will have enough to overcome Southampton without the star man, but believes their top four spot could come under threat during his absence.
“I think Tottenham will be OK without Harry Kane for one or two games, but over a longer sequence of games, I do not think it will be so good,” Merson told Sky Sports. “And they need to win this football match in order to cement top four, so if they do not win this game and Kane is also out, I do not see them winning too many other football matches in my opinion.
“So it is a must-win game for them, but I think they will do a job without him for one, two or three games. But not for the next eight or nine games if he is out for that long.”
He added: “But I am going to just go for Tottenham, because at the moment they are playing some very good football, so I am going to go 3-1 to Tottenham.”
Pochettino is likely to turn to attacker Heung-Min Son at the weekend during Kane’s absence, with Vincent Janssen yet to make the desired impact at White Hart Lane.
Kane is Spurs’ top scorer so far this season with 24 goals across all competitions, while Dele Alli has chipped in with 16.
Son is the next highest contributor with 14 goals and is set for a rare chance to lead the line.
The north London club managed a 4-1 victory over Southampton in their last game and will be strong favourites due to their form at home this campaign.
In other Tottenham news, the club’s supported have urged Daniel Levy to splash the cash on a European wonderkid.
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