Tottenham will host Fulham in the Premier League as they look to go top of the table. In the EFL Cup, Ange Postecoglou’s team lost to the Cottagers on penalties in a shootout. However, in the preliminary standings, the two teams are separated by just nine points.
Preview (Tottenham Hotspur vs. Fulham)
When Spurs traveled to Luton Town two weekends ago, it appeared that they would maintain their streak of scoring at least two goals in every Premier League match under the Australian manager. Nevertheless, the clever summer acquisition Micky van de Ven overcame James Maddison’s cutback. As a result, the North London giants went into the second international break of the season leading the table with 20 points, ahead of fierce rivals Arsenal based on goals scored. Spurs’ only draws this season have come against two of its neighbors, Brentford and Arsenal. They shared the spoils in two thrilling four-goal games. Other results this weekend may send Tottenham as low as fourth before Monday’s London derby.
Spurs host Fulham having scored in each of their previous 12 top-flight home games. If Spurs were to prevail, Postecoglou would break the Premier League record with an all-time high 23 points from his first nine games in charge—Guus Hiddink and Mike Walker both achieved 22. Both defenses held their leads at the half. Fulham stepped up their game against the rattled Blades in the second half. They triumphed thanks to goals from Willian and Bobby Decordova-Reid. An unfortunate own goal by Wes Foderingham when Tom Cairney’s rocket struck the woodwork. Antonee Robinson joined Foderingham in the own-goals club on Saturday.
Despite their wildly uneven start to the 2023–24 season, Fulham sits in 12th place in the table. However, the Cottagers came to the capital with just one victory from their four away games. That was only because of their opening 1-0 victory over Everton. However, since then, the Cottagers have not defeated the Lilywhites in the Premier League. Former Spurs player Dimitar Berbatov returned to haunt White Hart Lane.
Team News
The out-of-favor Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg should be inserted into an otherwise empty Tottenham team, where both Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero will play after scares on international service, as Bissouma takes his place on the sidelines for a one-game suspension. Brennan Johnson (hamstring) has the potential to play as well. Rodrigo Bentancur (knee) has returned to the group but needs more time to get fit for the game after spending eight months in the medical bay, where Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee), and Alfie Whiteman (ankle) are still out.
Maddison is looking to break a personal record this weekend, even though he has already contributed two goals and five assists in his first eight Premier League games while wearing a Spurs shirt. All seven of those efforts have occurred away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Silva, meantime, was furious after Sheffield United’s draw two weekends prior when Issa Diop appeared to hurt himself and gave up the ball in the hope that the Blades would put it out. However, the visitors decided to play on and Robinson ended up turning into his own net.
The injuries to Adama Traore (thigh) and Kenny Tete (groin) rule them out of contention for Fulham, who will turn to Calvin Bassey to join Ream in a thin backline. After an international break, momentum can change, but since Tottenham has had time to recover from their overseas exploits, there should only be one possible outcome for their match on Monday. Silva has lost his last seven games against Tottenham as manager.
Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 0 Fulham
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