Where would you rank Spurs vs Brentford on your list of great London derbies? If it's in your top 10 for congratulations, then you're either a big Christian Eriksen fan or you're already a fan of School Nights at 6:15 p.m. Either you're drunk. And the dry January is coming to an end.
Nevertheless, we're ready for all the extra aggro, spice, and anger that only vague proximity can provide. No love lost in the postcode war between N17 and TW8. Skepta vs. Greg Dyke. Adele vs. Janet Street Porter. It's…let's be honest, the London Derby is overrated.
Thankfully, we don't need any more intrigue tonight as we reach a point in the season where the team's fate becomes more clear. The engi-ball revolution has stagnated since its peak in the autumn, but Tottenham's injury list now looks less hopeless. Son Heung-min is still playing for South Korea at the Asia Cup in Qatar and is a major absence, but James Maddison could be included in the starting lineup for the first time since early November. He came on from the bench in last Friday's FA Cup defeat against Man City.
Things are looking the other way for Brentford, who have more points than only Sheffield United and Everton from their last five games. Their goal difference of -6 during this period is also the worst in the league. One of the big benefits is that Ivan Toney has returned to the team and already scored with the help of bubble-moving shenanigans in the last game against Forest.
Spurs will move into the top four if they win at the expense of Villa. Brentford have a thrilling chance to leapfrog Palace, Bournemouth and Fulham if they can pick up three points in two successive games at this stadium. The solemn scene of Harry Kane waving goodbye to a small number of supporters and tens of thousands of angry empty seats after a 3-1 win here in Spurs' final home game of last season. It was seen.
Team news will be announced soon, so Dan Zekiri and I will be here to share it with you.
