Tottenham v Liverpool

Sunday, 18 September

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

White Hart Lane

Kick-off: 1330 BST

Last season: Tottenham 2 1 Liverpool

Tottenham welcome Liverpool to White Harte Lane on Sunday with both sides hoping advance their top four aspirations.

Both sides harbour realistic expectations of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League at the end of the season and Sunday's game provides an early chance to cement those ideals.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will recall a number of key players after resting most of his first XI for Thursday's Europa League trip to PAOK Salonika.

Brad Friedel will retain his place in goal despite Carlo Cudicini's impressive display against PAOK.

Rafael van der Vaart (groin), Aaron Lennon (groin) and William Galas (calf) are unlikely to feature on Sunday, while Steven Pienaar (groin), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Ledley King (knee) face late fitness tests.

Michael Dawson (Achilles) and Sandro (knee) have both been ruled out.

Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor are expected to start after impressing on debut against Wolves.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is close to full fitness after six months out with a groin injury but is unlikely to be risked at White Harte Lane.

Defender Martin Kelly is also close to a recall after recovering from a hamstring injury but right-back Glen Johnson has been ruled out of Sunday's clash after a recurrence of a hamstring injury picked up against Stoke last weekend.

Prediction: Tottenham 1 1 Liverpool

Tottenham probable XI: Friedel; Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Parker, Modric, Bale; Adebayor, Defoe.

Liverpool possible XI: Reina; Jose Enrique, Agger, Carragher, Skrtel; Downing, Adam, Lucas, Henderson; Suarez, Carroll.