Everything on... Wolves

We head into our final game of 2018 on the back of impressive wins over Everton and Bournemouth - now it's Wolves at Wembley on Saturday (3pm).

Since we last faced the West Midlands side in November - a 3-2 win at Molineux - they have continued their strong return to the Premier League and sit comfortably in mid-table at the halfway stage.

Here’s everything you need to know about Wolves...

Team news

Nuno Espirito Santo will again be without Diogo Jota this weekend as the striker continues his return to fitness. Both Kortney Hause and Leander Dendoncker will be assessed before the game after they missed Wolves’ trip to Fulham on Boxing Day through illness.

One to watch

Wolves academy graduate Morgan Gibbs-White has so far flourished in his debut season in the Premier League. The 18-year-old was a member of the England side that won the Under-17 World Cup in 2017 and has since made an encouraging impact on Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. He made his first appearance in the Premier League in Wolves' opening day draw with Everton but it was his cameo display against us in November where the youngster first started to draw wider attention. With his side trailing 3-0, the teenager was introduced, and he immediately lifted the home crowd with his confidence and direct style of play. A month later he had his first start, providing the assist for Raul Jimenez's equaliser in Wolves’ 2-1 win over Chelsea.

Last five meetings

3 November, 2018 – Wolves 2-3 Spurs – Premier League
14 January, 2012 – Spurs 1-1 Wolves – Premier League
10 September, 2011 – Wolves 0-2 Spurs – Premier League
6 March, 2011 – Wolves 3-3 Spurs – Premier League
18 September, 2010 – Spurs 3-1 Wolves – Premier League

Previous clash

Back in November we had to hold off a late Wolves comeback to take home all three points from Molineux. Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura scored a goal each in the space of three first half minutes to give us a two-goal advantage before Harry Kane increased our lead on the hour mark. However, the game changed dramatically with just over 20 minutes to go as on his league debut, Juan Foyth was deemed to have fouled Raul Jimenez in the box – Ruben Neves converted the resulting penalty. Fast forward 10 minutes and it was a case of déjà vu for Juan as he gave away a second penalty, Jimenez converted the spot-kick and set up a very nervy end to the game for us. Wolves put their all into their search for an equaliser but thankfully we held on for an important win.

Wolves’ form

Following defeat to us on 3 November, Wolves travelled to face Arsenal at the Emirates where they came close to taking all three points but for Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s late equaliser. Back-to-back defeats against league strugglers Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City then followed for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, as their season looked to have hit the rocks. A surprise win over Chelsea, however, as well as wins over Newcastle United at St James’ Park and Bournemouth at home, propelled the West Midlands side back into the top 10. A 2-0 reverse to Liverpool on Sunday followed by Boxing Day’s last-gasp leveller against Fulham has left Wanderers in 11th coming into Saturday’s clash.

Magic moment

On our way to FA Cup glory in 1981, we faced Wolves in the semi-finals of the competition. After drawing the original tie 2-2 at Hillsborough, we faced a replay four days later, this time at Highbury. Garth Crooks headed us into the lead in front of a North Bank full to the brim with Spurs fans. Crooks then doubled our lead as he beat two defenders before scooping the ball over Paul Bradshaw. We wrapped up the game and our place in the final through Ricky Villa who, after picking the ball up on the right flank, cut inside the full-back before rifling the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Played for both

Signed from Derby County in 2005, Tom Huddlestone made 209 appearances for us in eight years at the Club. Arriving at the age of 18, Tom would spend the first few months of his Spurs career on loan at Wolves, where he would be almost ever-present under Glenn Hoddle until his return to north London in the January. In his time with us, he would hone his trade in the centre of midfield. Mainly operating as a defensive midfielder, he would also have an eye for goal as he became renowned for his fierce strikes from distance. Tom would earn four England caps in his time at the Club as well as helping us to the 2008 League Cup triumph, before moving to Hull City on a permanent basis in 2013.

What they're saying

Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Nuno Espirito Santo believes his side will have to keep their focus for 90 minutes when they face us on Saturday.

“(Spurs) are in a very good moment - 11 goals in two matches, in a very tight schedule, in a very busy moment of the season," the Wolves boss explained. "They are doing very well, that shows the quality of the squad, the quality of the work, the management, it’s going to be very tough and we look at Tottenham knowing (Saturday) is going to be a hard game.

“All the teams in the Premier League we have to fear. The respect and knowing that the opponent has many qualities is the best approach that you can have. Respect all the opponents. We go to compete, play, realising what you have to do, stick to your tasks, have a game plan and play the game.

“The players will have to play very well, but at the same time they have to be focused, knowing that the quality of the opponent they have in front, any distraction can really punish you.”