Ex-Spurs star makes bold predictions on relegation, next manager and North London derby

• Jake Livermore has had his say on Spurs’ potential relegation in the Premier League

• The former Spurs midfielder tips Mauricio Pochettino in next Tottenham manager odds

• Livermore predicts Spurs to beat Arsenal in his North London Derby betting tip

Jake Livermore has spoken exclusively to Ladbrokes to deliver his verdict on Tottenham’s relegation battle, the next Tottenham manager odds and this weekend’s North London Derby betting tip.

With Spurs hovering in the Premier League survival conversation, Mauricio Pochettino linked with a return and Arsenal next up in a huge derby clash, the former academy graduate made bold calls across the key markets that could shape the rest of the season.

Tottenham “have too much” to go down

Spurs relegation odds: “They’ll be OK” despite survival battle

Tottenham may be drifting into relegation conversations and Premier League survival markets, but one former Spurs midfielder insists there is no real danger of them dropping into the Championship. With Igor Tudor coming in as interim, he believes the squad has more than enough quality to pull clear.

Despite sitting just five points above the bottom three, he’s firmly backing Spurs to steady the ship and says the so-called “new manager bounce” could prove decisive in the run-in.

Livermore said: “Everyone there needs an arm around their shoulder. The aim between now and the end of the season is to secure Premier League safety, which I personally don’t think will be a problem.

“I think they’ll be OK this season; they’ll have too much about them to go down, especially when you look at their fixtures.

“The manager coming in just now is massive… I’d like to think the new manager bounce will see them through.

“I just think there has been a lack of consistency regarding the style of play and the direction of the team.

“It’s changed too often from a back three to a back four.

“In terms of standout players this season, the obvious one is Micky van de Ven… he’s the clear standout for me.”

Pochettino “the perfect fit” for Spurs

Next Tottenham Manager odds: Pochettino backed for return

While survival is the short-term objective, attention is already turning towards the next permanent Tottenham manager. With the market likely to heat up in the coming weeks, the former Spurs man believes the club must prioritise stability and there is one clear candidate who fits the profile.

“Long-term, I think Mauricio Pochettino will be where they look to go," the former midfielder added.

"When you look at the fresh young players they’ve got, I really think Poch is the perfect fit at this moment in time.

“The club needs to start looking at which direction it wants to go in. I don’t think it’s healthy if they keep changing managers, mentalities, systems and styles.

“With Tottenham, you’ve had five or six managers all come in and want to change this and that. They should look for a manager to fit the approach, rather than changing the approach based on the person they bring in.

“For me, there’s no one better than Pochettino.”

Spurs backed to win North London derby

Tottenham vs Arsenal betting tip: “Spurs will win” in derby upset

Tottenham head into the North London Derby as underdogs, with Arsenal still in the title race. But despite the gap in league position, the former Spurs midfielder believes the occasion and the timing could spark a major upset.

With derby betting markets expected to favour Arsenal, he’s backing Spurs to capitalise on reduced pressure and deliver a shock result.

Livermore explained: “I actually think Tottenham will win the North London Derby this weekend. Because of the new manager bounce, there’s going to be a massive upset.

“I still see Arsenal going on to win the title… but as for this weekend, I fancy Spurs.

"The shackles will be off for Tottenham. The pressure is off them, and it’s on Arsenal.

“I know people will say there’s pressure that comes with being in the position Tottenham find themselves in, but there are different types of pressure.

“Having been down there in those dogfights, I think this is the perfect game for Tottenham right now.

“It’s a free hit for them to come out all guns blazing, and I’d like to think a positive result this weekend is what will see them through and kick them on for the rest of the season.”

View the latest football odds here.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.