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Tottenham have one of the meanest defences in the Premier league this season. Much of the credit is owed to the tremendous partnership of Vertonghen and Alderweireld in the center.

Tottenham confirm Jan Vertonghen suffered medial ligament damage in victory at Crystal Palace

Hence, Pochettino would be very much concerned with the recent injury that Jan Vertonghen has endured in the game against Crystal Palace.

It seems that Vertonghen has hurt his knee ligament in a challenge that involved Palace striker Connor Wickham. The extent of the injury is yet unknown but any amount of time that the Belgian center back would be out will pose a big issue for the Spurs manager Pochettino.

Tottenham have been in spectacular form this season and are considered as one of the favorites for the title.

Vertonghen has been instrumental in this run for the North London team and Pochettino will hope that new signing Kevin Wimmer would be an able deputy for the Belgian. Wimmer has been involved in cup competitions for Spurs but made his Premier League debut in the game against Crystal Palace.

The injury to Vertonghen would certainly provide the Austrian with the perfect opportunity to impress his boss.

Tottenham currently lie in fourth place ahead of fifth place Manchester United by five points and five points behind leaders Leicester City. Pochettino has every right to believe that his team can end with a flourish this season and would the injury to Vertonghen would not hinder the same.

Swansea suffered a defeat last week against a strong West Ham side that looks complete and is moving towards setting up a league best finish.

Swansea vs Tottenham

Swansea started season like a house on fire and continue to stay within reach of a European spot. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wilfried Bony have been the shining lights as they are among the best in the assist charts and scorers charts in the league. A red card did not help their cause as they pushed for an equaliser. Swansea welcome a Spurs side that is usually poor after a Europa league outing. Swansea have an impressive home record, and are unbeaten in the last five.

Spurs left White Hart lane having been booed off, are missing Emmanuel Adebayor, lost to Besiktas and have manager Mauricio Pochettino under massive pressure. Away form has been their biggest positive and the side will take a trip away to discover some form of continuity. A record of 16 points from a possible 18 at home and away against Swansea leaves them in good stead.  Could this be the year that Swansea turn it around? It will be a high tempo affair and against two sides who look to play with the ball around. Expect a goal laden clash. Two players that should grab the headlines will be former players Ben Davis and Gylfi Sigurdsson. It will be interesting to see how both would react should either score.

Key Players:

Wilfried Bony- The Ivory Coast striker has had a brilliant 2014, and looks set to end the year as the top scorer in the league all year with 19 goals. Strong aerially and a strong performer this season, a destructive combo with Gylfi Sigurdsson has seen the two combine for fifteen of the nineteen goals Swansea have scored: A Potent pair.

Jan Vertonghen- Fresh from gaining his 100th cap for the club, the Belgian star will be a key figure as Spur cross the border to Wales. Ability to anticipate, make timely tackles and versatility are some of his best assets. Can he stop Gylfi and Bony?

Article contributed by: Benedict Chanakira

Twitter: @bchanakira2

European football game about to start [Image from flickr by Kieran Lynam]

This was a crazy weekend; Chelsea's unbeaten march came to an end. Manchester City lost their talisman as they closed the six-point gap to just three. December has got off to an explosive start. Arsenal's woes continue as Stoke continued their dominance at home against the Gunners. The last win for Arsenal at the Britannia was in February 2010. West Ham stormed into the top three for 24 hours but continue to impress. I name my Barclays Premier League Match day 15 squad. Manchester United to the form table as they managed their fifth consecutive win.

David de Gea: The best shot stopper in the league, leading already in the Player of the year for the club as the Spaniard continues to shine his beacon. The amount of points he managed to gain United are considerable. Another master class display as Manchester United won their fifth game in a row.

Alan Hutton: The Irishman has been a consistent performer and probably Aston villa's best player. One to lose his temper on occasion was the one to deliver a blow to Nigel Pearson's side with a college finish, grabbed a vital three points for under pressure Villa.

Fabricio Coloccini: The captain was part of a solid back four that managed to nullify the Chelsea juggernaut. A solid display as the Tyneside team managed to win and Coloccini returning from injury was a key player.

Jan Vertonghen: Fortunate to keep a clean sheet as the Belgian defender and Hugo Lloris managed to rescue Spurs from yet another home defeat. With rumors circulating that Manchester United may come in for him, Jan had a quality game in a dark Spurs show.

Carl Jenkinson: Had to find a spot for the arsenal 'reject' who is on loan and having a commendable season, providing a cross for the equaliser against Swansea. He was defensively sound despite a lapse in concentration once or twice. Don't the Gunners miss the England international?

Alex Song: Tank. The Barcelona player is giving West ham lots of freedom to play more attacking football. He has shown his leadership qualities, creativity and composure: A pillar in yet another quality performance by Sam Allardyce's side.

Yaya Toure: A big blow as Batman limped off early, but Yaya managed to stabilize the ship as he has done so often and controlled proceedings. The Ivorian skipper was not at his usual best but managed to be the difference between the sides.

Moussa Sissoko: Newcastle have been on a resurgent rise and the French international has been their best player: another workmanlike display against the title chasers, dangerous on the break and a thorn in the blues flesh.

Yannick Bolasie: Skillful, energetic and pacy. The Congo international created chances that were not taken by his teammates. The player will not be at Selhurst Park for long, looking at his form and his raw talent. The 360 flick against Spurs was a bit of entertainment.

Andy Carroll: The real disappointment was when Sakho didn't slide the ball across for the hat trick goal. A top level display from Andy, who was at his best: Aerial prowess, energetic and full of confidence as he inspired the Hammers to third on Sunday night.

Pappis Cisse: He has rescued Newcastle every time he has come on to play. Cisse has been pivotal and the reason they have managed to turn their form around. The second half cameo against Chelsea saw the Senegalese forward win it for them in a typical striker's performance. He is surely my player of the week.

Article contributed by: Benedict Chanakira

Twitter: @bchanakira2