Tottenham next 5 fixtures compared to Aston Villa, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City in Crucial Top 4 race after 3 consecutive losses [Check them out].
Tottenham have dropped out of the top four of the Premier League after falling to defeat against Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side came from behind in north London to condemn Spurs to a third successive loss after also being beaten by Chelsea and Wolves before the international break.
It leaves Tottenham within touch of those at the top of the table, just four points behind Arsenal in first, but also hovering only two points above Manchester United, three ahead of Newcastle and four in front of Brighton. Dealing with a continuation of the injury issues that have plagued the past month or so, Ange Postecoglou now has a tough run of games on the horizon as well.
With James Maddison, Manor Solomo, Micky van de Ven and Ivan Perisic all set to miss games until 2024 and the winter schedule about to get properly underway and the games ramping up as a challenge it is a defining period ahead. Here, football.london has a look at Spurs’ upcoming matches and that of their rivals as well.
Man City (A) – December 3, 4.30pm
Well things certainly don’t get any easier and this is probably the last fixture Postecoglou will want. However, with a lethal counter-attack and the chance to prove themselves against the best in the land it could play into Tottenham’s hands somewhat.
Spurs have a decent enough record in meetings between the two in recent years as well, though mainly at home. City will be coming off the back of having played in the Champions League in midweek too but it’s at the Etihad Stadum, making it three home games in a row for Pep Guardiola’s men, and their passage in Europe is already secured.
West Ham (H) – December 7, 8.15pm
After that there is a return to London for Spurs as they host West Ham. David Moyes’ men are unbeaten in their past three and have only lost once in the last five, sitting ninth in the league but only six points off Tottenham.
This is the type of game that will test Postecoglou in new ways against predominantly defence first outfits and playing the physicality card more than most. It will have tripped up previous iterations of this team and starts a run of three games in eight days.
Newcastle United (H) – December 10, 4.30pm
A proper top-four battle here. Newcastle are off the back, currently, of beating Chelsea and have a host of fitness issues themselves but have still been able to put out a strong starting XI. Eddie Howe’s men will have played the same night as Spurs leading into this, away to Everton, but have struggled largely this year to cope after mid-week matches.
This is two teams that aren’t going to back down and should be truly entertaining.
Nottingham Forest (A) – December 15, 8pm
A slightly nicer fixture to follow a tough run and it’s to the City Ground for a Friday night meeting with Nottingham Forest. There’s only a small gap between games here which will test Postecoglou but compared to what has come before it looks relatively comfortable on paper.
Forest are 14th after 13 games and have won just once in their last five but it’s home form that tends to keep them afloat. Under the lights this won’t be an easy game but it’s certainly preferable to some of the meetings that the club have had to get through in recent weeks.
Everton (H) – December 23, 3pm
Tottenham’s last game before Christmas comes at home to aggrieved Everton. The Toffees have been plunged into the relegation zone following a points deduction from the Premier League which is riling up the fanbase and looks set to inspire the side, how that plays out will be an interesting watch.
Man City next five fixtures:
Tottenham (H) – December 3, 4.30pm
Aston Villa (A) – December 6, 8.15pm
Luton Town (A) – December 10, 2pm
Crystal Palace (H) – December 16, 3pm
Everton (A) – December 27, 8:15pm
Liverpool next five fixtures:
Fulham (H) – December 3, 2pm
Sheffield United (A) – December 6, 7.30pm
Crystal Palace (A) – December 9, 12.30pm
Manchester United (H) – December 17, 4.30pm
Arsenal (H) – December 23, 5:30pm
Arsenal next five fixtures:
Wolves (H) – December 2, 3pm
Luton Town (A) – December 5, 8.15pm
Aston Villa (A) – December 9, 5.30pm
Brighton & Hove Albion (H) – December 17, 2pm
Liverpool (A) – December 23, 5:30pm
Aston Villa next five fixtures:
Bournemouth (A) – December 3, 2pm
Man City (H) – December 6, 8.15pm
Arsenal (H) – December 9, 5.30pm
Brentford (A) – December 12, 2pm
Sheffield United (H) – December 22, 8pm.