Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at White Hart Lane! Tottenham's faint title hopes slipped further away with Chelsea's hard-fought win over Stoke yesterday, but they could keep themselves hanging on to the periphery with a win over a Southampton side who are in action for the first time since March 4 today. We will have an in-depth look at both sides a little later, but first let's check out the team news...

TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Wanyama, Dembele, Dele, Eriksen; Son

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Vorm, Trippier, Wimmer, Onomah, Sissoko, Winks, Janssen

SOUTHAMPTON STARTING XI: Forster; Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand; Romeu, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Redmond; Gabbiadini

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Hassen, McQueen, Caceres, Hojbjerg, Long, Boufal, Rodriguez

The big questions surrounding the team news this afternoon was who would replace the injured Harry Kane up front for Spurs, and as expected it is Son Heung-min who gets the nod. Vincent Janssen finally broke his open-play duck in the 6-0 rout of Millwall last time out, but Son netted a hat-trick in that game too and will lead the line this afternoon. The South Korean has scored in his last two Premier League games against the Saints, but has big boots to fill if he is to step up in Kane's absence.

Kane had scored 19 goals in 22 Premier League appearances and had already hit three hat-tricks this calendar year before suffering ankle ligament damage against Millwall last weekend, so Spurs will need others to step up to the plate in addition to Son during his expected six-week layoff. Fortunately for Mauricio Pochettino, a number of his players are in better form now than they were when Tottenham also had to make do without the England striker earlier in the campaign - during which time Spurs won just three of nine matches and only scored eight goals.

Dele Alli is one such player who has really begun to show a cutting edge in front of goal, and he has enjoyed himself against Southampton in the past too. The midfielder has scored three and assisted one more in two Premier League appearances against the Saints, including a brace in the reverse fixture in December. Christian Eriksen has also scored three goals in as many home Premier League outings against today's opponents, so there are threats throughout this Tottenham side.

In all, Pochettino has made four changes to the side that thrashed Millwall last weekend, with the likes of Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Mousa Dembele and Eriksen all returning to the side. Walker, Wanyama and Dembele were all doubts for this match with various injuries, but the trio have all proven themselves fit and ready to go in what looks another 3-4-3 formation with Walker and Davies as wing-backs.

While Spurs are without their star striker, Southampton's is fit and firing and starts up front again today looking to create a little slice of history. Manolo Gabbiadini has made a flying start to life at the club and has now scored nine goals in his last seven appearances - six in four games for Southampton and three in his final three for former club Napoli. He has scored in each of those seven games too and another goal today would make him only the third player in Premier League history - after Micky Quinn and Diego Costa - to score in his opening four games in the competition.

Southampton boss Claude Puel had no new injury concerns for this match, and sure enough he names an unchanged side to the one that beat Watford 4-3 more than two weeks ago in their last outing. That means starts for both James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond, both of whom were rewarded for their recent form at club level with call-ups to Gareth Southgate's England squad to face Germany and Lithuania next week. Both players will be praying to avoid injury today.

Redmond was on the scoresheet twice against Watford and has been repeatedly tipped as a future centre-forward by Claude Puel, while Tadic also found the back of the net last time out and will be looking to continue that form in front of goal against Tottenham's miserly defence. It was Davis who was the unlikely goalscoring hero on Southampton's last visit to White Hart Lane, though, scoring twice here last season in a 2-1 win.

Davis and Romeu will come up against former Southampton favourite Victor Wanyama in the middle of the park today, and whoever wins that battle could prove to be crucial to the result. Southampton's attack has flourished in recent weeks, but their defence has not been quite as impressive and Puel will want an improvement from an unchanged back five that once again sees Stephens and Yoshida partner each other in the middle with Van Dijk still sidelined. Caceres, incidentally, is on the bench.

It looks to be a very intriguing contest between these two sides, then, but there is no doubt that Spurs go into the game as favourites. Their progress under Mauricio Pochettino has been clear to see and, while there hasn't yet been any tangible reward, that does at least seem to be getting closer. Indeed, their 6-0 win over Millwall last weekend takes them a step closer to a rare piece of silverware, although they must overcome Chelsea and then one of Manchester City or Arsenal if they are to lift the FA Cup this season.

That does look to be their only realistic hope of silverware this term, with the Premier League slipping further away from them with each passing week. Chelsea's form has been relentless, and their ability to win matches like yesterday's against Stoke only strengthens their title credentials. No team has ever surrendered a 13-point lead in the Premier League title race and, while victory for Spurs would close the gap back down to 10 today, Chelsea simply look too good to throw away a lead of that size.

Instead, Spurs may turn their focus to the battle for second place, which they threw away last season with defeats in their last two games - including one at home to Southampton. That was a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive season as they once again finished below North London rivals Arsenal, but while the Gunners are struggling at the moment Spurs seem to be going from strength to strength. They have only ever had a better record at this stage of a top-flight season once in their entire history, and that came in their historic title-winning campaign of 1960-61.

That statistic proves again how impressive Chelsea have been to still sit 13 points clear of Spurs, but it is also evidence that the club is in the best shape it has been in since the glory days under Bill Nicholson, and with such a young squad the future is very bright too. At least one of the two teams below Spurs is guaranteed to drop points later today, with Manchester City hosting Liverpool, so today is a very good opportunity for them to strengthen their hold on a top-four spot.

Tottenham will be very confident of doing so considering their form at home this season, with Pochettino's side currently on a club-record nine-match winning streak here in the Premier League. The Lilywhites are the only remaining unbeaten team at home in the top flight this season and have the best record in the division in front of their own fans, with 12 wins and two draws. They have also conceded a league-low seven goals at home, so it is fair to say that they are giving White Hart Lane a fitting send-off.

Indeed, this is the first time that Spurs have gone unbeaten in the opening 14 home games of atop-flight season since 1964-65, and that unbeaten record extends to all competitions, with 16 wins and two draws here this term - including an ongoing run of 12 consecutive wins at White Hart Lane. It is worth noting that Spurs have also played a few games at Wembley in Europe this term, though, and that has not been quite as successful with just one win from four games at the national stadium - a record they will need to improve when they play all of their home games there next season.

Home and away, Spurs have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games stretching back to December 11, winning nine of those and keeping five clean sheets in their last eight. They have been particularly impressive going forward recently too, scoring 18 goals during a five-match unbeaten streak in all competitions - a rate of almost four per game. Spurs also boast a formidable record against teams outside the top six in the Premier League table, winning 13 and losing none of their 17 such matches for a total of 43 points from a possible 51.

It looks like a daunting task for Southampton, then, but Claude Puel will be confident that his side can at least give Spurs a game should they turn up. Whether they do turn up or not is a question which is difficult to answer at the moment, though, with the Saints struggling for consistency in recent weeks. They have blown hot and cold with five wins and five defeats in their last 10 outings in all competitions, and it hasn't helped that it has been a very stop-start period of the campaign for them.

This will be Southampton's first match in more than two weeks due to their scheduled opponents' involvement in the FA Cup, meaning that they have been in action just once since losing the EFL Cup final to Manchester United at Wembley almost a month ago. That solitary game was a memorable one, though, with Southampton coming from behind to edge Watford in a seven-goal thriller at Vicarage Road on March 4.

Quite unusually for Southampton, their games do seem to have promised goals in recent weeks, with 28 flying in from their last six outings. However, the statistics suggest that not many will be going in their favour this afternoon, with Spurs boasting the league's best defence and Southampton among the division's lowest scorers. Indeed, only Burnley have scored fewer goals than the Saints outside of the bottom three.

Southampton fans will be quick to argue that they have as many as three games in hand over a lot of the teams in the league, though, and they certainly haven't been lacking for firepower in the last two games, scoring four per game in wins over Sunderland and Watford. As unlikely as it may be, Southampton are today looking for three consecutive four-goal hauls in the league for the first time since December 1980 - a run of games which included a 4-4 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Both of those wins came away from home too, which is the first time that Southampton have managed back-to-back away league wins since a run of four in February 2015. It represents a sharp upturn in form away from home as the Saints had only won two of their opening 12 league games on the road this season, drawing two and losing seven before those back-to-back triumphs at Sunderland and Watford respectively.

Home and away Southampton have now won three of their last five Premier League games following a run of four consecutive defeats before that, and another win this afternoon would see them chalk up three on the bounce in the top flight for the first time under Claude Puel. Incidentally, the last time they did record three wins in a row was in May 2016 when they beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane in the third of what would turn out to be a four-game sequence.

Southampton come into this match sitting firmly in mid-table, although that position may be a bit misleading considering they have three games in hand over the teams around them. Stoke's defeat to Chelsea yesterday means that a win for Southampton here would lift them into ninth place, but even then they would be seven points adrift of the top eight. Considering their games in hand will come against Arsenal and Manchester United, that will be a difficult gap to chase down.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at White Hart Lane, which means that it is time for a prediction! Spurs have been unstoppable at White Hart Lane in recent months, last failing to win here way back in October, and while Southampton are in good goalscoring form they have also been prone to matches where they simply do not turn up. Spurs, even without Kane, should have too much for them today - I'm going for a 2-1 home win.

Southampton have only won one of their last nine meetings with Spurs, losing seven of those, but that solitary victory did come in this very fixture last season. Son gave the hosts the lead on that occasion, but a brace from Davis saw the Saints come from behind and inflict the first of back-to-back defeats on Spurs that ultimately cost them second place. Southampton had won five of their previous six games against Spurs before their relegation from the Premier League, but since their return it is Tottenham who have dominated this fixture.

Perhaps the safest best today will be for Spurs to score, even with no Harry Kane in the side. Southampton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 25 away league games against Spurs, and that came all the way back in January 2001, when Paul Jones kept the hosts at bay in a 0-0 draw. Indeed, Southampton have only ever won three of their 17 Premier League visits to White Hart Lane including that one last season.

This match does, of course, see Mauricio Pochettino take on his former club, and that Southampton win here last season is the only time in five previous matches that he has suffered defeat against his old employers. He has won three of those matches, including the reverse fixture in December which saw Alli (2), Kane and Son all on the scoresheet as Spurs recovered from an early Van Dijk goal to win 4-1.

Right, the players are out and we're almost ready to go here at White Hart Lane! A win is essential if Spurs still have any remaining hope of chasing Chelsea down.

KICKOFF: Here we go! Southampton get us underway at White Hart Lane!

CHANCE! Big chance for Tottenham to make a perfect start to this match! It is a stunning defence-splitting pass from Eriksen that sends Son through on goal, but Forster spreads that huge frame of his and manages to turn it behind. I'm not sure how much the keeper knew about it, but he just made himself big and that was enough. Glorious chance for Son to make people forget about Kane in the opening minutes, though.

Southampton will want to get through the early stages of this game without conceding as a number one priority. They haven't had much football lately so may be a little rusty, while Tottenham will be looking to make a quick start - something they very nearly did through Son there.

Awkward moment for Lloris as Vertonghen sends a difficult pass back to his keeper, and the skipper came only put the ball straight out of play when trying to move it on.

Southampton threaten for the first time as Tadic clips a clever pass over the top which looks to have released Gabbiadini through on goal, but the linesman's flag is raised.

Spurs have a chance to get in behind the defence at the other end as they play the ball out from the back well before the ball finds Davies. Eriksen is making the run through the middle, but Davies puts too much on his through-ball and it goes all the way to the keeper.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the game is shown to Dier, and he can't have many complaints for a crunching and late challenge on Redmond.

Moments before that Dier foul Dembele really imposed himself on Romeu in midfield. First he beat the Southampton man with some silky skills before then just shrugging him off to keep possession when it looked like he may have lost it. The Belgian is just so hard to dispossess.

Bright play from Walker as he bursts past his man down the right before playing a low ball into the box that Yoshida needs to put behind for a corner. That is played short before eventually arriving in the box, but Son can't win his header.

Spurs have the breakthrough, and Eriksen makes it look oh so easy to reach double figures for the season. Dembele gives the ball to the Dane, who cuts inside before just passing his finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards. Forster had no chance, the finish was just too precise.

SAVE! Spurs look for a quickfire double as the ball arrives to Alli inside the box, but he doesn't catch his shot on the turn and it is easy for Forster to gather.

SHOT! Almost a spectacular response for Southampton! The ball drops to Romeu around 25 yards from goal and he fires a first-time half-volley towards the far corner which fizzes a couple of yards wide.

This had the potential to be a tricky game for Spurs, but they have started really well and seem in control of this one already. They are just so formidable here at White Hart Lane.

Southampton are almost in behind through sheer route one football as Forster hoofs the ball right up the centre of the pitch. Suddenly Redmond finds himself through on goal, but he can't get to the bounce of the ball which allows Dier the chance to get back and make an important challenge.

More bright attacking play from Spurs as Alderweireld fires a brilliant long pass forward for Alli, who beats Stephens in the air to knock the ball down for Eriksen. The Dane goes for goal again, but this time his effort is blocked.

CHANCE! Sensational save from Forster to keep the deficit at just one! Eriksen turns provider this time with an inswinging corner that is met by Alderweireld, who plants a firm downward header towards goal. You are waiting for the net to bulge, but Forster claws it away with the same big left hand that denied Son in the opening minutes.

YELLOW CARD! Redmond is the second player to be booked today for pulling back Wanyama.

CLOSE! Almost an equaliser for Gabbiadini, who is looking to keep up his 100% record of scoring for the Saints. This one is not far away at all as he exchanges passes with Redmond before stroking a powerful finish just past the post that ripples the side-netting on its way behind.

Tadic's blushes are spared by the linesman here, but who will spare the linesman's blushes? A long raking ball finds Redmond at the back post, and he is able to knock it back to Tadic, who blazes over from a glorious position when he really should have scored. The linesman rules that the ball went out of play before Redmond turned it back, but the replay shows that it is the wrong decision.

Big blow for Southampton as Gabbiadini is forced off with a groin injury which he sustained when going for goal a few moments ago. The visitors are playing with 10 right now, but Shane Long's introduction is imminent.

Spurs have a second, and it is a long way back for Southampton now after a horror few minutes. Alli is the man who wins the penalty, getting to the ball just before Davis, who brings his man to ground. The referee points to the spot, and Alli gets up to stroke home from 12 yards. It wasn't the best penalty, and if Forster had gone the right way then it would have been a fairly simple save, but the keeper guessed wrong.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: And in the wake of that goal, on comes Shane Long in place of the injured Gabbiadini.

So, the question was who would step up in Kane's absence? Well, so far it is Eriksen and Alli. There are goals throughout this Tottenham side and they seem better equipped to cope with their top-scorer's absence now than they were earlier in the campaign.

YELLOW CARD! Kyle Walker is the latest name in the book for a foul on Bertrand after a errant touch had seen the Spurs full-back lose the ball.

Dembele and Long have a talking-to from the referee following a clash off the ball, with Dembele seemingly leading with his arm when competing for an aerial ball and Long taking exception to that. It is all calmed down without the need for the referee to go to his pocket, though.

This is so close to being one of the best assists of the season. Eriksen looks to have very little on just outside the box, but he manages to squeeze a pass into the area that Son is a yard short of connecting with. The Dane is such a clever player.

It is hard to see any way back into this one for Southampton as we approach half time. Spurs have been on top pretty much from the first whistle and certainly don't look like conceding twice today.

There will be a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of this first half.

Perhaps one final chance for Southampton to give themselves a boost before the break as Redmond wins a free kick in a dangerous position on the left flank...

SAVE! Well, the free kick itself is horrendous as Ward-Prowse doesn't swing it into the middle and instead tries to lay it off to the edge of the box. No-one is expecting it apart from Dembele, though, and he is quick to pounce on the ball. Southampton still keep hold of it, though, and Cedric tests Lloris with a swerving long-range effort before Tadic goes down in the area. There aren't many claims for a penalty from the visitors, but the replay showed that they probably should have got one as Davies got none of the ball and a lot of Tadic when attempting a clearance.

Controversial end to the first half, then, but it is a half that has been dominated by Tottenham for the most part and they deservedly lead 2-0 at the break. They have shrugged off concerns over how they will hope without Harry Kane and are in control of this contest now. It is hard to see them throwing this lead away in the coming 45 minutes.

The opening goal arrived after just 14 minutes, and it was a classy finish from Eriksen too as he stroked the ball into the bottom corner from outside the area. It all opened up from the Dane, but he didn't try to blast it, instead simply passing it beyond Forster to break the deadlock in style.

Dele Alli got the second from the penalty spot to extend his scoring streak to four consecutive games, and the England man won the penalty himself having nipped in to beat Davis to the ball. The Southampton midfielder caught Alli just inside the area, and Andre Marriner was quick to point to the spot. Alli stepped up and, while the spot kick wasn't the best, he sent Forster the wrong way to double his side's advantage.

Fraser Forster has been responsible for things not being worse as far as Tottenham are concerned, making fine saves to deny Son and Alderweireld in that first half too. Southampton, meanwhile, have threatened through Gabbiadini - who later went off injured - while Romeu and Cedric have come close too. The Saints felt that they should have had a penalty right at the end of the half when Davies caught Tadic in the area, but the referee waved it away.

KICKOFF: Spurs get us back underway for this second half!

It will be interesting to see how Southampton approach this second half as they certainly need to show more than they did in that opening 45 minutes. Long running in behind the high Tottenham line may be their best bet.

SHOT! Eriksen looks to give Spurs a perfect start to the second half and he tries his luck with a curling effort from range, but he fires it high and wide of the target.

Now then! Perhaps this game is not quite dead and buried just yet! Southampton need a defensive error to help them, but Ward-Prowse celebrates his England call-up with a goal to drag his side back into the game. Alderweireld fails to cut out a cross from the left flank, allowing it to go all the way through to Ward-Prowse, who takes a touch before tucking his finish past Lloris.

CHANCE! Almost an immediately response from Spurs as Son picks up the ball in a bit of space inside the area, but he is a bit slow to get it under control and Stephens is able to get a crucial foot in.

Tottenham have responded really well to that setback, which gave Southampton an initial burst of belief. The hosts have since just knocked the ball amongst themselves calmly and quickly regained control of the contest.

SAVE! Southampton are certainly looking more dangerous in this second half, though. Long forces a save from Lloris at his near post here which the Spurs captain needs two goes to collect.

This match is very finely poised heading into the last half an hour here. Spurs are still in control, but they no longer have that two-goal cushion and Southampton are starting to believe that they can get something from this game.

YELLOW CARD! Victor Wanyama is the latest player in the book for a foul on Tadic.

Claude Puel will be delighted with how his side have performed so far in this second half. They have made things a lot more difficult for the hosts and Forster has not had a save to make since half time.

Tottenham fans aren't happy here as Romeu clearly fouls Wanyama just outside the box, but Andre Marriner plays advantage. A subsequent shot is blocked, which Marriner decides amounts to that advantage before giving Southampton a free kick moments later.

Better from Spurs are they begin to calm things down again, passing the ball around at the back and just slowing the tempo down a little.

Long thinks that he is clean through on goal here, but he is quickly pulled back by the linesman's flag, which is correctly raised.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: The Saints make their second change of the afternoon as Sofiane Boufal replaces Tadic.

Concern for Tottenham here as Dier stays down following a good sliding challenge on Davis, who is much quicker to bounce back to his feet. The England man will requite treatment, but should be fine to continue.

Good spell of possession for Southampton here as they knock the ball about inside the Tottenham half. The move eventually comes to an end when Long is flagged for offside - a decision he does not agree with - but Southampton's pressure is growing.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Spurs make their first change of the match as Harry Winks replaces Son, which means that Alli will move into the striker's position.

TOTTENHAM SUB: That is quickly following by another change as Kieran Trippier replaces Walker.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: The Saints make their third and final change of the contest as Jay Rodriguez replaces Redmond.

YELLOW CARD! Boufal goes into the book for a trip on Winks, who reacted very angrily to that foul when there was no real need. It was a booking, but there wasn't too much in it.

Southampton are running out of time right now and, while it has been an improved performance in this second half, Southampton haven't seriously tested Lloris since that Ward-Prowse goal.

Southampton have seen 63% of the ball in the last 10 minutes as they push for a late equaliser, and this one is by no means done and dusted for Spurs. The threat in the final third may not have been there for the Saints, but it only takes one chance.

TOTTENHAM SUB: A third and final change for the home side as Christian Eriksen departs and Vincent Janssen comes on in his place.

Important piece of defending from Alderweireld as he gets back to make a good challenge on Rodriguez just as it looked as though the sub may get a shot away.

SAVE! Janssen broke that duck from open play last weekend and he goes for goal again here with a powerful effort from a tight angle. The strike beat his man to drive into a decent position and test Forster, although he may have been better served looking for Alli in the middle.

There will be five minutes of added time at the end of this match.

SHOT! Southampton are not done with this one yet! Boufal picks the ball up around 25 yards from goal before cutting inside and going for goal, but he drags his effort a few yards wide.

YELLOW CARD! Romeu picks up a late yellow card for a tired challenge that will give Spurs the chance to wind the clock down further.

Andre Marriner brings an end to proceedings at White Hart Lane, then, and it is another win for Spurs - that is now 10 straight at home in the Premier League and 13 across all competitions at White Hart Lane. Goals from Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli see them past Southampton, who responded in the second half through James Ward-Prowse. It was not quite as comfortable as many would have expected at half time in the end, but Spurs held on for a win that closes the gap on Chelsea to 10 points and leaves them seven above fifth-placed Manchester United and nine clear of Arsenal.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash as Spurs strengthen their grip on second place with a 2-1 win over Southampton at White Hart Lane. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!