Tottenham’s uphill battle: Next five fixtures compared to European rivals
As Tottenham Hotspur find themselves languishing in mid-table after a series of disappointing results, their next run of games could define their season, particularly as they fight to keep pace with their rivals. Let’s take a look at how Tottenham’s upcoming fixtures compare with their rivals.
The recent struggles of Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur once more suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, with their latest disappointment coming at the City Ground in a narrow 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
That result not only marked their ninth defeat of the season but also highlighted the growing concerns surrounding their form and ability to compete at the highest level.
After 18 matches played, the Lilywhites find themselves in an unsettling position, sitting eleventh in the Premier League table.
They are currently nine points clear of the relegation zone, and ten points adrift of the coveted top-four positions that would grant them Champions League football next season.
For Tottenham, the road ahead is anything but straightforward. A season that began with promise under the stewardship of Ange Postecoglou now teeters on the brink of mediocrity.
However, there is still time for the north London side to turn their fortunes around, provided they can string together a consistent run of victories.
The question remains: how do their upcoming fixtures compare to their rivals, and can they capitalise on the opportunities ahead?
Tottenham’s next five fixtures compared to Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City
For Tottenham, the schedule begins with what appears to be a relatively manageable home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 29, followed by a challenging test against Newcastle United at home on January 4.
Postecoglou’s men will then shift focus to the FA Cup, where they will face Tamworth away on January 12, before taking on fierce rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on January 15. They conclude this stretch with another away fixture at Everton on January 18.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s fixtures present a similarly daunting challenge. Ruben Amorim’s side kick off against Newcastle at Old Trafford on December 30, followed by a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on January 5.
A clash against Arsenal in the FA Cup awaits them on January 12, before home and away matches against Southampton and Brighton, respectively, round off their set of games.
Manchester City, who just like Spurs are struggling with injuries and poor form, also face a demanding schedule.
Pep Guardiola’s team will visit Leicester City on December 29, host West Ham on January 4, and face Salford City in the FA Cup on January 11.
They will then play away against Brentford and Ipswich Town on January 14 and January 19, respectively.
Chelsea’s run, on paper, appears less taxing but still poses challenges. They begin with a trip to Ipswich on December 30, followed by matches against Crystal Palace, Morecambe in the FA Cup, Bournemouth, and Wolves.
Tottenham Hotspur fixtures
- December 29 vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) at 3pm – Premier League
- January 4 vs Newcastle United (H) at 12.30pm – Premier League
- January 8 vs Liverpool (H) at 7.45pm – Carabao Cup
- January 12 vs Tamworth (A) at 12.30pm – FA Cup
- January 15 vs Arsenal (A) at 8pm – Premier League
Manchester United
- December 30 vs Newcastle United (H) at 8pm – Premier League
- January 5 vs Liverpool (A) at 4.30pm – Premier League
- January 12 vs Arsenal (A) at 3pm – FA Cup
- January 16 vs Southampton (H) at 8pm – Premier League
- January 19 vs Brighton (A) at 2pm – Premier League
Manchester City
- December 29 vs Leicester City (A) at 2.30pm – Premier League
- January 4 vs West Ham United (H) at 3pm – Premier League
- January 8 vs Salford City (H) at 5.45pm – Carabao Cup
- January 11 vs Brentford (A) at 7.30pm – Premier League
- January 19 vs Ipswich Town (A) at 4.30pm – Premier League
Chelsea
- December 30 vs Ipswich Town (A) at 7.45pm – Premier League
- January 4 vs Crystal Palace (H) at 3pm – Premier League
- January 11 vs Morecambe (H) at 3pm – FA Cup
- January 14 vs Bournemouth (A) at 7.30pm – Premier League
- January 20 vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) at 8pm – Premier League
Aston Villa
- December 30 vs Brighton (H) at 7.45pm – Premier League
- January 4 vs Leicester City (H) at 3pm – Premier League
- January 10 vs West Ham United (H) at 8pm – FA Cup
- January 15 vs Everton (A) at 7.30pm – Premier League
- January 18 vs Arsenal (A) at 5.30pm – Premier League
A critical stretch of fixtures for Tottenham
Tottenham’s next six games include two fixtures at home, three away, and a Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool that could set the tone for the second half of the season.
The encounters with Arsenal and Newcastle stand out as key opportunities to make up ground on the Premier League table, but the congested fixture schedule leaves no room for error.
As Ange Postecoglou continues to manage a squad grappling with injuries, the importance of keeping his players fit, while also getting the injured ones to full fitness cannot be overstated.
The Lilywhites must find consistency in their results and performances, especially with the added challenge of balancing league commitments with cup ambitions.
Whether they can emerge from this gruelling period with their top-four hopes intact remains to be seen, but the stakes have never been higher for Postecoglou and his team.
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