Tottenham moved to within one point of fourth-placed Arsenal on New Year’s Eve with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth. Goals from Pape Matar Sarr, Richarlison and Son Heung-Min earned three points for Ange Postecoglou’s team, although Spurs were far from their best.
This means that Tottenham will enter 2024 within touching distance of a title rival, just three points separating them from Liverpool, who are top of the standings. Manchester City could climb to the top if they win the game before the end, but Spurs would still only be four points behind.
Postecoglou has had to cope with a spate of injuries that have crippled the team, so the first six months of his management have been hugely impressive and once again he has had to contend with the elements as Sarr and later Alejo Veliz have had further problems. Nevertheless, his men responded well to the midweek disappointment away at Brighton.
Now, with just three games to go until the end of January, Tottenham have a chance to do business as well as resting players. Sarr will be out for most of the month – if not all of it and into February – if he is fit enough to go to the African Cup of Nations, while Yves Bissouma will also be absent. Son will also be absent, as he is going to the Asian Cup.
Here are the matches that await Postecoglou against the title contenders around.
Manchester United (A) – 14 January
Tottenham have FA Cup duty before their next league campaign, but even then they’ll have eight days between their third-round match with Burnley and their trip to Old Trafford. Postecoglou really kick-started things with a win over Erik ten Hag’s charges on the second weekend of the season and hopes to underline the difference between the two teams here.
Spurs have eight more points in the league and have scored almost twice as many goals. United, on the other hand, have lost nine games this season, the most of any team in the top 12, and have won just four of their last five games.
Brentford (H) – 31 January
A repeat of the opening game of the season and things haven’t improved much since August when Brentford won 2-1. Thomas Frank’s charges are stuck in 16th place with ten defeats and are struggling to find their feet without Ivan Toney.
Tottenham will be aiming for a comfortable home win here and will be hoping to have some of their many injured stars on the way back by this point, given it’s a month away. The January schedule really offers the chance to rest and recuperate during a testing period.
Everton (A) – 3 February
Once things return to normal, Spurs will look forward to hosting Everton at Goodison Park. Everton have responded well to being 10 points adrift, but are now without a win in three games and are still dangerously close to the bottom of the table. Luton have a game in hand one place lower, in 18th, and could send Sean Dyche’s charges into the relegation zone with a win.
Merseyside has been a tough place for Tottenham in recent years and Postecoglou’s charges will certainly have a physical test.
Brighton (H) – 10 February
Tottenham will be looking to avenge last week’s damaging 4-2 defeat on the south coast when they host Roberto De Zerbi’s side in north London. Postecoglou refused to throw his players under the bus despite a poor performance at the Amex Stadium and could be boosted by the return of star players such as James Maddison and Micky van de Ven.
Wolves (H) – 17 February
Tottenham’s gentle next six weeks continues with an away trip to Wolves. Gary O’Neill’s charges have found it difficult to match the top teams this season, having beaten Manchester City and Chelsea at Molineux, but they will face a tough challenge if they are to get anything out of their away fixture at Spurs. Things will then start to get tougher as Chelsea and Aston Villa are on the horizon.
Man City next five fixtures:
Newcastle (A) – January 13
Burnley (H) – January 31
Brentford (A) – February 5
Everton (H) – February 10
Chelsea (H) – February 17
Liverpool next five fixtures:
Newcastle (H) – January 1
Bournemouth (A) – January 21
Chelsea (H) – January 31
Arsenal (A) February 4
Brentford (A) – February 17
Arsenal next five fixtures:
Crystal Palace (H) – January 20
Nottingham Forest (A) – January 30
Liverpool (H) – February 4
West Ham (A) – February 11
Burnley (A) – February 17