Swansea v Tottenham: Son can shine in Kane's absence

Dave Tindall
15 March 2018

Mauricio Pochettino can guide Spurs into the semis

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Swansea look a big price but Heung-Min Son can keep Spurs on course for FA Cup glory by netting in Saturday's quarter-final, says Dave Tindall...

"This seems to be Son's competition. The South Korean has scored nine times in his last 10 FA Cup starts, adding in four assists for good measure. In his current hot form, expect that to continue."

2pts Heung-Min Son To Score at 3.02/1

Swansea v Tottenham
Saturday, 12:15 GMT
Live on BT Sport 1

Swansea on fire at home

Swansea go into their first FA Cup quarter-final since 1964 on a superb run of home form.

They've won their last seven at the Liberty Stadium, that run starting with a third-round replay win over Championship pacesetters Wolves and continuing with victories over Liverpool, Arsenal, Notts County, Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham.

Carlos Carvalhal's magic has very much been weaved on home Welsh soil so the Swans have to be given plenty of respect - especially with Liverpool and, to a lesser extent, Arsenal amongst their recent victims.

Anything in the idea that he'll want to make Premier League safety a priority? That goes without saying but Swansea are 14th and are too close to a Wembley final to be going into this game without anything less than full commitment.

Team news-wise, they'll be without Jordan Ayew after his red card against Huddersfield.

Spurs still able without Kane

Harry Kane getting injured has been the nightmare scenario for Spurs fans in the last couple of seasons but, quite simply, Tottenham do okay without him.

They were without the England striker for eight Premier League games last season and won five of them, drawing the other three.

And when he limped off at Bournemouth last Sunday, Spurs were 1-0 down. On came Erik Lamela and they ran out 4-1 winners.

Manchester City are the only English team to have beaten Spurs since November so it's no wonder that, with the Champions-elect now out, Tottenham at 3.3512/5 are pushing Man Utd for favouritism in the outright market.

But for all their promise, Spurs need silverware. This year's FA Cup represents a golden chance to get it.

Swansea price will tempt punters

Any side going for an eighth straight home win has to be respected and especially so at the prices. Yep, Swansea are a hefty 9.28/1 and without doubt those are tempting odds.

They put the squeeze on free-scoring Liverpool and will look to deny Spurs space too.

The Draw is 4.67/2 while Spurs are just 1.4740/85 to get it done in 90 minutes - something they couldn't manage in away ties at Newport and Rochdale!

I think Spurs will edge through but wouldn't rule out a replay so it's not a market I want to get involved in.

BTTS stats point to 'Yes'

Both Teams To Score looks a legitimate play at 2.26/5.

It's landed in six of Tottenham's last seven away games so they're always likely to leak one on the road even though they score plenty.

Having won their last seven at home, Swansea have been giving the locals at least one huge roar per match since early January so this looks a strong bet at clear odds-against.

The absence of Kane doesn't put me off and it's not just been down to him that they've scored in each of their last 13 away games.

In-form Son loves the FA Cup

With seven goals in his last four matches, Heung-min Son is absolutely on fire.

With the prospect of an FA Cup final on their current home Wembley turf within touching distance, I expect Pochettino to go full tilt here and, unfortunately for Fernando Llorente, that probably means Son and Lamela as his two main attackers.

That duo paired up when Kane went off at Bournemouth and it clearly worked with Son netting twice having been pushed right up front as the central striker.

What's more, this seems to be Son's competition. The South Korean has scored nine times in his last 10 FA Cup starts, adding in four assists for good measure.

In his current hot form, expect that great run to continue.

Son, who scored home and away against Swansea last season, is a must bet at 3.02/1 to score anytime.

Ref watch

Kevin Friend has lived up to his name this season, showing just 55 yellows and a red in 26 matches.

He's booked more than two players just three times in his last 17 matches so rarely gets card happy.

Opta stat

Spurs are unbeaten in their last 15 games against the Swans in all competitions (W12 D3), drawing at Wembley and winning 2-0 at Liberty Stadium in the Premier League this season.

Dave Tindall's P/L, 2017/18

Staked: 95.50pts
Returned: 71.87pts
P/L: -23.63pts

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