Tottenham v Leicester preview: Ryan Mason and Mousa Dembele could return

Tottenham are hopeful Mousa Dembele and Ryan Mason will be available against Leicester on Wednesday.

The midfield pair missed Sunday's 2-2 FA Cup draw against the Foxes with ankle injuries but are closing in on comebacks for the midweek Premier League clash at White Hart Lane, while Jamie Vardy is set to make the matchday squad for Leicester after returning to full training following groin surgery.

Harry Kane's late penalty earned a replay for Spurs in their FA Cup encounter, meaning the two sides face each other three times in less than two weeks.

Mauricio Pochettino has no fresh injury worries following the draw, and was handed a boost on Tuesday as midfielder Dele Alli extended his contract through 2021.

Alli and Harry Kane were second-half substitutes at the weekend, but the duo are in line to return to the starting XI as fourth in the Premier League plays second at White Hart Lane.

Team news

Tottenham are hoping Mason and Dembele will be fit but Clinton Njie, who has been struggling with a knee problem, is out. There is good news however on Alex Pritchard, who is nearing a return to fitness after missing four months with an ankle problem.

Vardy trained with the Foxes squad on Tuesday, but Ranieri must assess whether to put the league's joint top scorer on the bench or play him from the start.

Jeff Schlupp remains out with a hamstring injury, and Matty James is unlikely to feature due to a knee injury. Demarai Gray made his debut on Sunday, and could make his first Premier League start after signing from Birmingham last week.

Opta stats

Spurs are unbeaten in their last five league meetings with Leicester (W3 D2).

After scoring in 18 successive top-flight matches, Leicester City have now failed to score in their last three games in the league.

The last nine league meetings between these two clubs have produced 38 goals (4.2 per game on average).

Leicester have conceded more goals to opposition substitutes than any other Premier League team this season (8).

Tottenham have fielded the youngest starting XI this season in the Premier League on average (24y 304d).

N'Golo Kante has made the most tackles (79) and interceptions (81) in the league so far this season.

Merson's prediction

I'm going to go for Tottenham. Kane was on the bench at the weekend and he will make a big difference, I fancy him to score. They can win the league, but I'd like to see them when the heat is on. They have to perform under pressure and if they win this game, then the pressure will start telling.

I think Leicester have been a bit unlucky recently; they missed a penalty against Bournemouth, who had 10 men. They're still right up there for a place in Europe but this is a hard game for them.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1

Betting

Sky Bet make Tottenham 3/4 favourites with Leicester 100/30 and the draw 14/5. The last two meetings have finished as score draws and Sky Bet offer 7/2 for a repeat on Wednesday night.

Check out tips from our Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier here.