Premier League GW24 � Sunday 21st January 2020
Tottenham play host to Norwich on Wednesday night and although that might not be the most significant clash of this upcoming Premier League schedule, there is one interesting statistic that links the two clubs � although one that neither outfit will be keen to possess.
That's because both Spurs and the Canaries have the worst record when it comes to keeping clean sheets and with just three each after both playing 23 Premier League matches this season, that is not really a record to write home about.
For Wednesday's hosts that overriding failure to keep clean sheets has been one of the main reasons as to why the North London outfit are languishing in mid-table and although Jose Mourinho's men performed a shutout on Saturday, their top four hopes are seemingly evaporating by the week.
At the same time, opponents Norwich also managed to withstand the rather toothless attack of Bournemouth later that same Saturday and although both teams will have a modicum of pleasure at a rare watertight defence, it does perhaps highlight just how bad at that end of the pitch.
That's because failure to keep a clean sheet on Saturday would have meant that just 8.69% of either Tottenham's or Norwich's matches would have ended with the perfect defensive performance, as things stand that figure has been bumped up to 13%
Even so, that is still less than one game out of every seven that has ended with no opposition goals and although the statisticians will point to this game being high on the goal count this Wednesday, perhaps that won't be the case.
You only have to look at the way Tottenham have played in the last four matches, to see just how much they have struggled in attack and especially with the lack of recognised striker to replace the absent Harry Kane.
Previously when the England international was ruled out, the supporting cast would step up to the plate and somehow get Tottenham out of an attacking mess, while also without breaking a stride at the same time.
That means the likes of Dele Alli, Heung min-Son and Lucas Moura would be on hand to carry their fair share of the goalscoring burden. However, fast forward to this season and that has been anything but the case.
Take their South Korean star as a perfect example, it seems as if Son has gone off the boil somewhat and whether that is down to the sending off against Chelsea is something that can be argued, but all does not seem well for the former Bayer Leverkusen forward.
Of course, not all is well for Norwich either and although they picked up a hugely important win over Bournemouth at the weekend, the East Anglian outfit still find themselves at the bottom of the Premier League table.
The winning goal from Teemu Pukki means that Norwich are continuing their current average of just a goal per Premier League game and if they continue up until the final day in May, that will mean just 38 goals scored all season.
Which when you consider that most teams require scoring two goals a game in order to win one, it equates to nothing but trouble from Daniel Farke's men and although you can get away with a low tally throughout the campaign, it needs one important element.
That's the fact that Norwich have been so porous at the back and instead of scoring twice, they are more likely to concede just as many. Which subsequently points to losing more games than they will have won, and you only need to look at their current league standing for testament of that.
Therefore, although both teams seem to have an overall aversion to keeping clean sheets this season, it does not necessarily lead to a boat load of goals on Wednesday evening and both teams will be more than happy to nick this one.
Albeit for different reasons, Wednesday's encounter is nothing more than a must win clash. For Tottenham, failure to win in front of their own fans will all but end their top four hopes and failure for Norwich will halt any hopes of starting their own great escape. Something will have to give.
