Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game

Full Record of Spurs -v- Southampton

Prem         Pl    W   D   L   For- Ag  Pts
Home         11    8   2   1   27 -  9  26
Away         11    2   3   6    8 - 13   9
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Total(Prem)  22   10   5   7   35 - 22  35
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Football Lge
Home(Div 1)  22   13   4   5   52 - 28  38
Away(Div 1)  22    6   8   8   25 - 35  24
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Total(Div 1) 44   19  12  13   77 - 63  62
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Football Lge
Home(Div 2)  14    9   3   2   41 - 12  21
Away(Div 2)  14    2   5   7   12 - 17   9
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Total(Div 2) 28   11   8   9   53 - 29  30
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Total(Prem)  22   10   5   7   35 - 22  35
Total(Div 1) 44   19  12  13   77 - 63  62
Total(Div 2) 28   11   8   9   53 - 29  30
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Grand Total  94   40  25  29  165 -114 127
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This week's fixture sees us playing a team who believe themselves to be a bigger club than Tottenham. They may not have an honours list as long as Tottenham's but that is their belief. This is based on the fact that Hoddle walked out on Southampton to 'come home' to White Hart Lane. We had all sorts of allegations from their Chairman at the time including that most famous gibe about Hoddle leaving the Dell for a smaller club than Southampton.

I have to admit that since Hoddle moved to Tottenham, Southampton have made a great deal of progress whereas Tottenham are still experiencing transitional seasons. However, we have at least cleared out most of the dead wood that had accumulated under former managers, though we are still deficient in parts of the squad. But if Tottenham could just string a number of wins together, life would look so much better for all Spurs fans.

The Saints and Spurs are, of course, old foes. They were the major teams in the original Southern League, which Spurs left in the summer of 1908 to join the Football League. Southampton were original members of the Third Division (South) and were the section's second champions. They remained members of the old Division 2 until the end of season 1952-53, when they were relegated to the old Third Division (South) again. They were not promoted again until after the reorganisation of the two sections into Divisions 3 and 4 prior to the start of season 1958-59. They were promoted back to the old Division 2 at the end of season 1959-60 and made the further promotion to the old Division 1 in season 1965-66. They survived until the end of season 1973-74 when they were relegated with Manchester United and Norwich City to the old Division 2.

Their biggest ever day occurred in May 1976 when Southampton beat red-hot favourites Manchester United 1-0 in the Cup Final, thanks to a great strike by Bobby Stokes.

Two seasons later, the two teams played out a 0-0 draw to secure promotion back to Division 11 (with Bolton Wanderers). Spurs had looked to have the championship sewn up when they threw a wobbly and almost fell away. In fact, we only won promotion because we thrashed Bristol Rovers 9-0 at Tottenham, the previous October.

Since then, both clubs have remained in the top flight, though both have flirted with the possibility of relegation. It would be churlish to ignore the fact that, under manager Gordon Strachan, the mighty squeak, (This is not meant to be derogatory but a reflection of the way he talks), Southampton have steadily improved. But I still find it difficult to envisage Southampton in Europe in the foreseeable future. Far too much relies on James Beattie and Kevin Phillips and a defence that can be pierced easily by experienced strikers. If Arsenal's much vaunted defence can be ripped apart by Inter-Milan, what would they do to Southampton?

I think this match will be a close one, principally because Spurs will be feeling a lack of confidence after last weekend's result. I take Spurs to shade it 2-1. if only because we have a very good record playing Southampton at the Lane.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Brian

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