The 3 key battles as Tottenham host Southampton this afternoon

Victor Wanyama v Oriol Romeu

Spurs midfielder Victor Wanyama is another player who will face his former club on Sunday, having spent three seasons at Southampton before moving to White Hart Lane last summer.

The 25-year-old was another who seriously impressed in his time on the South Coast, and Pochettino decided to once again sign the Kenyan international having been the man in charge of Southampton when Wanyama joined the club in 2013.

And he has since flourished in North London, as he has become the first choice central midfielder following several excellent performances, with his ability to break up the play and read the game in the middle helping Spurs to a fine defensive record, as well as 16 wins from their 27 league matches.

However, Southampton’s Oriol Romeu has been equally as impressive this season, and the battle between these two on Sunday will be crucial in determining which side holds the midfield supremacy.

Saints’ Romeu has started 25 of their 27 league games this term, and is regularly one of their highest performing stars on any given matchday, with his ability to intercept and deny the opposition attackers time and space on the ball integral to Southampton’s success this season.

A strong, powerful player capable of retaining the ball well under pressure and keeping things simply, Romeu’s displays have been the main reason Southampton haven’t missed Wanyama this term, so it should be quite the battle between the two on Sunday.