Tottenham v Bournemouth preview: Eric Dier faces fitness test for second-placed Spurs

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino will make a late decision on the fitness of Eric Dier ahead of Sunday's crucial game at home to Bournemouth.

Dier picked up a knock in the Europa League defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Thursday night while Ben Davies also took a nasty blow to the face and is unlikely to play against the Cherries.

Spurs suffered a chastening 5-1 aggregate defeat to Borussia Dortmund after going down 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Thursday night.

But they remain in the hunt for a first league title since 1961, sitting closely behind leaders Leicester with eight games remaining.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, head to second-placed Spurs on 38 points, 13 clear of the scrap for survival following three successive victories and look on course to retain their Premier League status.

Team news

Harry Kane, Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen are all expected to return at White Hart Lane but Jan Vertonghen and Clinton Njie are both unavailable as they continue to recover from knee injuries.

Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter faces a late fitness test on an Achilles problem.

Midfielder Junior Stanislas is still sidelined having not played for the past three matches because of a hamstring injury.

Forward Callum Wilson continues his rehabilitation following a long-term knee injury, but is not expected to be back in contention until after the international break.

Opta stats

Bournemouth and Tottenham have only ever met twice with the Cherries winning an FA Cup tie 3-1 in 1957 while Spurs won the Premier League match up earlier this season 5-1.

Tottenham have lost only two of their last 16 Premier League games at White Hart Lane (W9 D5 L2).

Bournemouth have lost just one of their last nine PL away matches (W4 D4 L1). That defeat came in north London though at the hands of Spurs' neighbours Arsenal.

Harry Kane has scored eight goals in his last nine top-flight games and now has 19 in the competition this season; just two away from his tally in 2014-15 (21).

Merson's predictions

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Bournemouth are safe now. I always find the teams that are safe are a dangerous proposition because they go out and express themselves. However, if the result goes the way I expect between Crystal Palace and Leicester then Tottenham will have a chance to go just two points behind the league leaders. In my opinion they would not let that chance slip so I'm backing them for a 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane. However, Mauricio Pochettino's side will have to be wary. Bournemouth will give Spurs a very tricky game.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 7/1)

Betting

Tottenham are 8/15 with Sky Bet to maintain their title challenge with victory over 5/1 shots Bournemouth with the draw 16/5. Jamie Redknapp and Phil Thompson are both backing a 2-1 win for the hosts at 7/1.