If Tottenham are to entertain serious thoughts of a top-four finish they should put their foot down now. Even with the injury problems that continue to plague Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King their defence is proving as parsimonious as their attack is prolific, and if Luka Modric can stay fit Spurs have the means to mount a significant challenge over the next few months. A Hull City side with a poor away record and three points from its last six games should not overtax Harry Redknapp’s side. David Lacey

Venue White Hart Lane Tickets Sold out Last season Tottenham 0 Hull 1 Referee M Atkinson

This season’s matches 16 Y63, R0, 3.94 cards per game

sportingbet odds Tottenham 1-4 Hull 9-1 Draw 4-1

Tottenham

Subs from Walker, Alnwick, Naughton, Hutton, Bassong, Jenas, Bentley, Rose,

Giovani, Pavlyuchenko, Keane

Doubtful King (knee)

Injured Lennon (groin, 23 Jan), Assou-Ekotto (ankle, Feb), Cudicini (wrists/pelvis, Jun), Woodgate (groin, unknown) Suspended None

Form guide WDWWLD

Disciplinary record Y32 R1

Leading scorer Defoe 14

Hull

Subs from Duke, Mendy, Mouyokolo, Kilbane, Marney, Barmby, Ghilas, Altidore, Vennegoor of Hesselink

Doubtful None

Injured Bullard (knee, 30 Jan), Ashbee (knee, May)

Suspended None

Form guide DLLDLD

Disciplinary record Y38 R2

Leading scorer Hunt 5

Match pointers

• Spurs have kept four clean sheets in a row (plus a fifth in the FA Cup). The last time they kept five consecutive shut outs was in February 2001 – their joint-record in the Premier League era

• All three of the Premier League meetings between Hull City and Spurs have ended as away wins

• Only one team (Man United) has scored more than twice against Spurs this season

• Hull have fired in the fewest shots (153) this term

• Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick when these teams met in August

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