Premier League preview: Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion

21 April 2011 14:20

Tottenham Hotspur will be targeting victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as they look to secure Champions League qualification.

Spurs are fifth on the English Premier League table, two points behind Manchester City - the last position offering a route into the Champions League.

Harry Redknapp's team came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at home to Arsenal in Wednesday's North London derby.

West Brom, meanwhile, are 11th, six points clear of the relegation zone ahead of their trip to White Hart Lane.

They went down 3-1 at home to Chelsea last weekend - a first defeat in the eight matches since Roy Hodgson took over as manager.

Peter Odemwingie has been the side's stand-out player this season, with 12 goals.

But another forward who could prove telling in the club's push to avoid relegation is Mexico international Carlos Vela.

WBA assistant manager Michael Appleton believes the striker, on loan from Arsenal, could prove important against Spurs.

"He is a player who can play in two or three different positions and Tottenham is going to be slightly different to Chelsea, albeit they are a team who like to have possession a lot," Appleton said.

"So when we do win possession back I’d like to think we can be a little more clever than we were in the first half on Saturday and Carlos comes into that category."

Scotland international Graham Dorrans remains unavailable with an ankle injury, while Pablo Ibanez is out due to a hamstring problem.

For Tottenham, long-term defensive absentees Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King are joined on the sidelines by fullback Alan Hutton.

None of the three are expected to return this season.

Further forward, holding midfielder Wilson Palacios is out with a knee injury and playmaker Niko Kranjcar is in doubt with a foot problem.