Tottenham Hotspur can put pressure on Premier League leaders Leicester City on Sunday if they halt a Bournemouth side who are edging closer to top-flight safety.

Second-placed Spurs are looking for their second league win in three games when they host the Cherries at White Hart Lane, while their opponents are unbeaten in four.

Tottenham Hotspur

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Mauricio Pochettino was criticised for opting against fielding a full-strength side for the first leg of his side's Europa League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund.

The Argentine rejected suggestions that he was prioritising, but this weekend his full focus will be on the league as his team attempt to close down the five-point gap following Thursday's European exit.

The North London outfit stuttered slightly in their campaign at the start of the month when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to West Ham United and were then restricted to a 2-2 draw by rivals Arsenal on home turf.

After a difficult spell, Spurs bounced back last weekend with a 2-0 win over struggling Aston Villa. Star striker Harry Kane scored both goals in the space of three minutes either side of half time.

The England international has been one of the club's pivotal figures in the team, having found the back of the net 22 times in all competitions this season.

As well as a striker in red-hot form, Tottenham have the advantage of being at home this weekend as they have lost just two of their last 16 league games at White Hart Lane.

Spurs, who finished fifth last season, won nine and drew five during that 16-game run, and in the last six games in front of their home supporters, the team have scored 12 goals.

If Crystal Palace beat Leicester on Saturday, then Tottenham will go within two points of the Foxes if they defeat Bournemouth on Sunday.

Recent form: WWWLDW
Recent form (all competitions): WWLDL

Bournemouth

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Eddie Howe has worked wonders with Bournemouth this season, but he has been quick to quieten suggestions that the club's Premier League safety is already secure.

Most clubs in the lower half of the table can begin to relax once they hit that 40-point mark, and the Cherries are just two points shy of that target.

Howe's team moved 13 points clear of the relegation zone at the weekend when they sealed a dramatic 3-2 win over Swansea City at the Vitality Stadium.

Max Gradel, who has recently returned to action following a lengthy injury spell, put Bournemouth in front shortly after the half-hour mark, but Modou Barrow equalised for Swansea two minutes later.

Joshua King put the Cherries back ahead 50 minutes in, but once again the Swans responded, this time through Gylfi Sigurdsson who struck in the 62nd minute.

With just 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Steve Cook scored the winner and pushed Bournemouth even closer to safety, and the south coast side, who earned promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history last summer, have seven teams beneath them in the table.

Watford, who also gained promotion to the top flight last season, sit just one point behind Bournemouth, while Crystal Palace and Swansea sit five points adrift.

The Cherries have a tough run-in before the end of the season as they take on Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United in their final eight games of the campaign.

The difficult fixture list begins with Tottenham on Sunday, but they head into the game on the back of a four-game unbeaten run and they have only lost once in their last nine league matches on the road.

Recent form: LLDWWW

Team News

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A late call will be made on the fitness of Eric Dier, who suffered a knock during Thursday's Europa League exit to Borussia Dortmund at White Hart Lane.

Ben Davies is unlikely to feature as he took a blow to the face during the game, meaning that Danny Rose is likely to take the full-back position.

Jan Vertonghen and Clinton N'Jie remain on the sidelines, but Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele are all expected to play this weekend.

As for Bournemouth, Harry Arter has been unavailable since suffering an Achilles problem during his side's 2-0 victory over Southampton on March 1.

The 26-year-old has missed the club's last two fixtures, but could return to the squad for the trip to White Hart Lane, while the Cherries are still without Tyrone Mings, Callum Wilson and Junior Stanislas.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Surman; Ritchie, Gosling, Gradel, King; Afobe

Head To Head

Tottenham and Bournemouth have only played one another once in the modern era and that was earlier this season when Spurs romped to a 5-1 victory at the Vitality Stadium.

Matt Ritchie caused a shock with a goal for Bournemouth in the first minute, but it did not take long for Tottenham to respond as Kane scored eight minutes later.

Dembele gave Spurs the lead in the 17th minute, while Lamela extended it further with a goal of his own just before the half-hour mark.

Kane wrapped up the resounding victory with goals in the 56th and 63rd minutes.

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Bournemouth

Tottenham have had a slight dip in league results lately, but after seeing off Villa at the weekend and having the chance to edge closer to Leicester with a home fixture against Bournemouth, Pochettino's side will be confident of getting the result that they need. Kane scored both goals against Villa and in front of a home crowd he could contribute to the scoreline this weekend. Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last four league games, but causing an upset at White Hart Lane could be too much of an ask.

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