The festive period was a bit of a mixed bag for Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur after a 2-1 home win against Everton on Thursday night, when they were defeated away to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Spurs were already four goals behind a rampant Seagulls team when Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies scored in the last ten minutes of the game to spark some hopes of an improbable comeback, which failed to materialise.
As a result, Postecoglou’s men are left with one point and one place outside the Champions League places – but there is still high hope that a positive second half of the season awaits them as several players approach full fitness.
Spurs will focus on Sunday’s home game with Bournemouth to bring a successful end to 12 months of change and lay the foundations for a more positive January by taking all three points against the Cherries. Ahead of the game, we will look at the latest squad and injury news as Postecoglou’s long list of absentees continues to cause serious problems for the Spurs boss.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News:
Postecoglou continues to struggle with a long list of injured players who have deprived him of more than £200 million worth of services – although there should be good news in the New Year for the former Celtic manager.
One of the players who is unlikely to feature again this season is Ivan Perisic, after the Croatian international seriously injured his anterior cruciate ligament in a non-contact training session. Yves Bissouma will also miss the Cherries match, as he continues to serve his suspension for the red card he received in the recent 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Defensive duo Christian Romero and Micky van de Ven are not expected to return until the New Year as they continue to recover from thigh injuries, as are Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur.
However, one player is expected to return to the Spurs squad after Postecoglou confirmed that midfielder Oliver Skipp, who missed the defeat against Brighton, should be available.
Tottenham Hotspur XI
Vicario, Porro, Emerson Royal, Davies, Udogie, Sarr, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso, Kulusevski, Son, Richarlison.