Ben & Rob's preview - Southampton

N17 Live presenter Ben Haines and Club commentator Rob Daly step back into preview action for today's trip to Southampton in the Premier League (3pm)...

Ben Haines

"What a brilliant performance against Palace. I've spoken to so many Spurs fans over the last few days who all have said a very similar thing, we looked totally in control! That's such a brilliant thing to feel at such a critical point in the season, and we didn't have to spend too much energy. Rests for both Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane as well, with Stevie Bergwijn coming on and looking brilliant too. I do want to pick out Oliver Skipp for a special mention. What a performance, he's turning into such a wonderfully complete player, and has such a high ceiling. It's really special for us to see him now being guided by someone like Antonio Conte who has a clear style and structure that he wants to play with which is helping not only Skippy but lots of others as well.

"Southampton wise - it's crucial we keep this momentum going - Arsenal's game against Wolves has been called off which is bad news for them as it gives us an opportunity to make up ground in terms of games played. It's tough to know which Southampton side will turn up in terms of their consistency or quality - having said that, as Antonio said the other day, we know the style that Ralph Hassenhuttl will play with and it's a really good test for us. Whilst we were able to wind down the clock a little the other day, Southampton had a very intense match against West Ham away - which they won in the end late on, but will have exerted a lot more energy than Spurs in our win against Palace. All in all, I'm expecting more of the same. I'm excited to see what the rotation will be and whether any players have forced their way into Antonio's thinking. Now, more than ever, feels like a time where players will be desperate to be at Spurs and to play for Tottenham Hotspur. There is so much pride and passion in this team at the moment and I think there is no more clear a way of seeing that than the way players who, at times, have struggled for game time, playing so wonderfully when they get their opportunities."

Rob Daly

"First of all, it was a brilliant win on Boxing Day. Lucas Moura is probably looking in his best form for Spurs at the moment. I think that's really encouraging, he's a bundle of energy, just perfect in this Antonio Conte system. Such was the nature of the game and scoreline against Palace, Kane and Son and Hojbjerg were spared the full 90 minutes, and that's something we haven't seen in recent times. Looking at Southampton, they're a little short at centre-back, where they've a couple of players out with COVID. I've been really impressed with Armando Broja, who I watched last season at Vitesse in Holland, I thought he was really good there and what he's brought to Southampton is not only his goals - he's their top-scorer this season - but also a physicality. We can point to a few obvious things, like how James Ward-Prowse will be a threat from set pieces, that they have quick wide players in the team and normally line-up 4-4-2, or something to that effect. It should be the kind of game where I'm sure Spurs will be thinking it's another chance to win given that Kane and Son are linking up so well, and they had that incredible game at St Mary's last season (Son's four goals all set up by Kane, who also scored in a 5-2 win) - you wouldn't bet against them linking up again to inspire a victory."