Match Preview: Spurs v Fulham – can we get back on top?

 Match Preview: Spurs v Fulham – can we get back on top?

Son and Cristian Romero have overcome minor injuries sustained on international duty and should be available for our clash against Fulham. Brennan Johnson has trained for the past two weeks and could be involved, but Yves Bissouma is suspended following his red card against Luton. Even though it is a blow about Bissouma, we can overcome it with the players waiting in the wings (I say, hopefully). But the same can't be said about Fulham.

There will be changes to the Fulham line-up, with defender Issa Diop ruled out because of a foot problem. Tosin Adarabioyo, Adama Traore and Kenny Tete all remain unavailable. That doesn't make our task easier, but I believe we can get a result against our London neighbours at our Tottenham stadium.

We've been knocked down to fourth place because Liverpool beat fellow Liverpudlians Everton 2-0, City overcame a spirited Brighton (2-1). At the same time, Chelsea managed to go two up against Arsenic and Old Lace, only for them to fight back and make it 2-all (jammy bastards). However, if we can overcome Fulham, we can return to the top with two clear points. There are a lot of "ifs", but nothing is impossible.

No doubt we will be seeking revenge on the only team to have put one over us this season; we welcome Fulham to our Ange-fortress for Monday's Premier League London derby.

Yes, Fulham knocked us out of the League Cup because we had made nine changes, giving the Cottagers an easy route to get to the next level of the Cup competition. Nevertheless, we scored both goals, and they could only get to the next round because of a penalty shoot-out lottery.

In the league, nine points separate both teams.

The Lilywhites remain the team to beat in the Premier League under Postecoglou, who was bestowed with a second successive Manager of the Month honour for his September deeds.

Our last game saw us beat Luton Town 1-0; simultaneously, we saw Yves Bissouma dismissed for two bookable offences, the second being a foolish dive right under the referee's nose. Our summer signing Micky van de Ven scored our goal for us, who met James Maddison's cutback in the second half to propel our ten men to victory, which kept us on top over the international break.

We could see Postecoglou break a new Premier League record with an all-time high of 23 points from his first nine games.

As for Fulham…, they beat Sheffield United 3-1 in their last game.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

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Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

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Fulham Premier League form:

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Fulham form (all competitions):

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Team News

As I said, Bissouma takes his place on the sidelines for a one-game suspension; the out-of-favour Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg should be drafted in to an otherwise untouched lineup, where both Son and Cristian Romero will feature following scares on international duty.

Brennan Johnson (hamstring) also has a chance of being involved, while Rodrigo Bentancur is now working with the group again but still needs time to build up his match fitness after eight months out.

Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle) remain out.

My possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Hojbjerg; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Richarlison

Prediction…

Even though I've predicted the right outcome six times out of eight (the other two were drawn), my actual score prediction has been way out. Nevertheless, I shall go for…

Spurs 2-0 Fulham

Fulham have been winless in seven games against us while Silva has been Fulham's manager; let us hope it continues.

Wouldn't it be great if we could win this game in style and go straight back on top… with a two-point margin! I know what Tottenham supporters think: "When will our luck end?" Hopefully, we can continue dreaming a bit longer… if not to the end of the season… I know some of you will laugh at that, and maybe you are right to laugh… but I am more optimistic now than I have been since Levy and Lewis took over.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

We have won seven of the eight most recent Premier League meetings, except a 1-1 draw at our Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January 2021.

Fulham's solitary league win against us in the past 17 attempts was 1-0 at White Hart Lane in March 2013. They have failed to score more than once in any of those 17 games.

In August, Fulham beat us 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in the EFL Cup second round.

Spurs…

Six wins and two draws is our best record after eight league games of a season since 1960-61 when we won our opening 11 league fixtures en route to the title.

We were league leaders after as many as eight matches for only the second time. We were top after 12 games on 15th December 2020.

A win over Fulham would ensure Ange Postecoglou sets a record of 23 points earned from his first nine Premier League fixtures in charge, surpassing Mike Walker and Guus Hiddink.

Our only dropped points so far came in our two London derbies: 2-2 draws at Brentford and Arsenal.

We could become the first side to earn three consecutive Premier League victories courtesy of stoppage-time goals.

All seven of James Maddison's goal involvements for us in the Premier League this season have been away, scoring twice and providing five assists.

Up the Spurs!

COYS!

Glenn

 

With Cliff Jones