Spurs versus PSG: (match preview)

Our first official game of the 2017/18 season will take place in the early hours of Sunday morning, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side prepare to face French club PSG in Orlando as part of their three game tour of the USA. A squad which includes a rich mixture of youth and experience, Spurs will go up against one of Europes finest sides in what will prove to be a fascinating first test of the season, after a long summer break. The game which takes place as part of the international champions cup, sees Spurs play their first of three games against some of Europes finest sides. Our game involving the Ligue 1 runners up in Orlando, takes place in the early hours of Sunday morning (kick off:1AM) with the game being shown live on premier sports. With seven young academy players called up to the squad, the team he picks in Orlando will be a very interesting one. As always substitutions will be happening throughout the game, which will give some of our youngsters their chance to make an impact. With players as good as Javier Pastore and Thiago Silva in their side, it would be a massive confidence boost were we to win over Unai Emery’s side. Of course it’s important for us to start off the pre season campaign with a positive result, but what I’m most looking forward to seeing is how our youngsters get on and where they’ll be played, will we see Georgiou or Brown play at left back and will see young Brandon Austin or Alfie Whiteman get a chance in between the sticks? Another player who I’m looking forward to seeing again is Nkoudou, who I reckon will have a big season ahead with Spurs. Either way, Spurs are officially back and I’m eager to see how we get on against potential champions league opposition. COYS

My piece on our seven youngsters called up: https://superhotspur.com/2017/07/19/some-background-information-on-the-youngsters-called-up-to-spurs-usa-tour/

My predicted lineup: (3-4-2-1) Lloris, Dier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Trippier, Wanyama, Dembele, Georgiou, Alli, Eriksen, Janssen.

My predicted score line: 2-1 to Spurs courtesy of goals from Janssen and Dembele.

One to watch: PSG’s pacy Brazilian winger who scored 12 league goals last season, Lucas Moura will provide a tough challenge for whoever plays at left back.

 

Spurs versus Kitchee SC: (match preview)

“We are aware of our growing popularity across Asia. This latest visit represents a great chance for us to engage with our loyal fans in the region and thank them for their fantastic support and the commitment they make to watching us at any hour of the day or night. It promises to be a fantastic experience for all the staff and players, some whom will be visiting Hong Kong for the first time, and a great way to conclude what has been an exciting season for the Club.” (Mauricio Pochettino)

Tottenham Hotspur’s glorious domestic season may have come to an end but there’s still one more game for fans to look forward to, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side travel to Hong Kong for an end of season friendly against the Hong Kong premier league champions, Kitchee SC. Mauricio Pochettino’s side is made up of predominantly senior players as well as a couple of youth players for the post season game. It’s a fantastic way for Spurs to round off a brilliant campaign, there’s no pressure or expectation on their shoulders for Fridays game, which will be a great experience for the players. Mauricio Pochettino said: We are delighted to accept the invitation to return to Hong Kong to play against one of their top clubs Kitchee SC and play our part in the anniversary celebrations. Kitchee SC are on paper the best team in Hong Kong and it will be interesting to see the outcome of Fridays game which kicks off at 1pm GMT. In fact Kitchee recorded a 2-2 draw against Arsenal back in 2012 in a pre season game. The result of the game doesn’t matter, the players are here to showcase their talents and enjoy their football, it will also provide an invaluable opportunity to some youth players, with Filip Lesniak, Kazaiah Sterling, Luke Amos and Will Miller all in contention to play. Unfortunately the game is not being broadcast live in the UK, so the best option for following the game will be via the Spurs website or official Twitter feed. I’m confident that the Lillywhites will dominant the game and give the fans a great game of football, but the home side can’t be underestimated, either way it’s a game to enjoy. COYS

Our under 19’s were involved in the Volksbank cup tournament in Stemwede, Germany on Thursday. John McDermott’s side drew both their games against Werder Bremen and FC Copenhagen 1-1, with Shayon Harrison scoring on both occasions. Spurs are in action again on Friday against both Red Bull Brazil and Mühlenkreis as they look to make it to the finals stage.

Absentees: Erik Lamela, Mousa Dembele, Danny Rose, Harry Winks, Josh Onomah, Kyle Walker-Peters, Cameron Carter-Vickers.

My team prediction: ( 3-4-2-1) López, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Wimmer, Walker, Wanyama, Lesniak, Nkoudou, Alli, Miller, Kane.

My predicted scoreline: 5-0 to Spurs courtesy of goals from Moussa Sissoko, Kane x3 and Sterling.

One to watch: Versatile full back and one time team mate of Son (at Hamburg) Zhi-Gin Lam.

Spurs squad: Toby Alderweireld
Dele Alli
Luke Amos
Ben Davies
Eric Dier
Christian Eriksen
Vincent Janssen
Harry Kane
Filip Lesniak
Hugo Lloris
Pau López
Will Miller
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou
Moussa Sissoko
Heung-Min Son
Kazaiah Sterling
Kieran Trippier
Jan Vertonghen
Michel Vorm
Kyle Walker
Victor Wanyama
Kevin Wimmer

Spurs versus Hull City: (match preview)

The final match of Spurs’ season takes place on Sunday afternoon at the KCOM stadium, as Mauricio Pochettino’s inform side prepare to face already relegated Hull. Fresh from their emphatic 6-1 victory over Leicester City on Thursday, Spurs will be looking to sign off their season in style in what has been a spectacular domestic campaign. Spurs travel to Yorkshire having already secured second spot, but Pochettino hasn’t rested on his laurels as he proved in the week with a strong team selection against Leicester. In fact there’s a still a lot at stake, Harry Kane could retain the golden boot come Sunday evening, Lloris could still win the golden glove, and Spurs could end the season on a phenomenal tally of 86 points, their best of the premier league era. Marco Silva’s side have nothing to lose going into tomorrows game, their standout players include striker Baye Oumar Niasse, former Spurs legend Michael Dawson and winger Kamil Grosicki. I can’t see a repeat of last years final day performance against Newcastle, I’m confident that Pochettino’s side will end the season in style with a victory over the tigers. COYS

Team news: Erik Lamela, Danny Rose and Harry Winks are all out injured whilst captain Hugo Lloris is an injury doubt, as too is right back Kyle Walker. However, Kieran Trippier is in contention again, after returning to full training on Friday after suffering a concussion against Manchester United. It is likely Pochettino will experiment with his squad for Sunday’s game, and there could be a chance that some more youth players get some action. Filip Lesniak who made his debut as an 86th minute substitute against Leicester, could well feature again after an impressive cameo. I’m also hoping to see Spurs starlet Samuel Shashoua feature, Shashoua featured on the bench against Leicester. It will also be interesting to see if young striker Kazaiah Sterling makes the bench, Sterling was part of the squad that travelled to Leicester in the week.

My predicted lineup: Vorm, Alderweireld, Dier, Wimmer, Trippier, Wanyama, Alli, Davies, Eriksen, Son, Kane.

My predicted score line: 4-0 to Spurs courtesy of goals from Kane x2, Alli and Samuel Shashoua.

One to watch: Hull striker Baye Oumar Niasse.

Spurs versus Leicester: (match preview)

Spurs’ encounter with Leicester City on Thursday night is Pochettino’s sides penultimate game of a very successful premier league season. Pochettino’s side travel to the King Power stadium on the back of an emotional 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the final ever game at White Hart Lane on Sunday. Following the Lillywhites victory over Manchester United, Spurs have secured second spot and cannot move up or down the premier league table, theres no pressure on Spurs ahead of tonight’s match. Nor is there any pressure on the hosts who sit comfortably in 11th position, but manager Craig Shakespeare has made his intentions known, saying: “When you come up against a team of Tottenham’s quality and our desire to win a game, we should be in for an interesting game.” The foxes are without six first team players for today’s game, including defenders Robert Huth and Wes Morgan who were an integral part of their title winning side of last season. Meanwhile I’m expecting Pochettino to rotate his side against Leicester, and I’m expecting him to give a couple of youth players a chance. We want to end this wonderful season in style and two victories from our last two matches would cap off a brilliant league campaign. With quality attacking players such as Mahrez and Vardy Leicester will give us a tough game with the King Power stadium becoming a fortress under Shakespeare, with the foxes being unbeaten at home since he took over. I’m looking forward to this game and I’m hoping that our quality will shine through against the team that won the league over us last season. COYS

Team news: Eric Dier will likely fill in at right back following the news that both Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier will be unavailable for today’s game. Danny Rose, Erik Lamela and Harry Winks are all ruled out for the season and won’t feature, whilst Josh Onomah, Kyle Walker-Peters and Cameron Carter-Vickers are all on international duty with their respective countries. With this being a bit of a dead rubber, I’m expecting Pochettino to give some of our talented academy players the chance to feature against the Foxes. Im predicting at least two to be named on the bench, with the most likely candidates being Luke Amos, Shayon Harrison and Filip Lesniak. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see talented 18 year old striker Kazaiah Sterling make the bench. This game will also give the chance for Pochettino to involve some of his players who are on the fringes of the squad.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Lloris (C), Dier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies, Wanyama, Sissoko, Nkoudou, Alli, Son, Kane.

My predicted score line: 3-1 to Spurs courtesy of goals from Sissoko, Kane and Alli.

One to watch: The highly skilful winger Riyad Mahrez.

 

Spurs versus Manchester United: (match preview)

The time has come for Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs side, for one final time Spurs will play at White Hart Lane in what will be a highly emotional match on Sunday afternoon. Spurs face Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side who currently occupy sixth spot, and the Portuguese manger has already made it know that his priority is the UEFA Europa League over the premier league. After Chelsea won the league title on Friday night, our priority remains on securing second place and we only need one point from our last three league games to secure that feat for the first time since the 1962-63 season under the legendary Bill Nicholson. What we have achieved under Pochettino this season has been nothing less than miraculous, we have massively overachieved for a second successive season and we have the opportunity to cap off a wonderful season with victory over Man United at the Lane finale. There will be a memorable post match celebration of Spurs’ much cherished stadium, but the focus for Spurs will be on giving the Lane a fitting send off. Man United have had quite a strange season, their still in the race for fourth spot, but Mourinho has prioritised the Europa League final against Ajax, which will likely result in Mourinho fielding a weakened squad for the trip to the Lane. You can’t help but be confident for Spurs, but we know just how hard an opposition Man united can be, with their rigorous and highly structured defence. With players of the ilk of Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford, the Red Devil’s will be a potent side. However, tomorrow is about our beloved stadium and I am wholly confident that our players will rise to the challenge. COYS

Team news: Apart from the two absentees Harry Winks and Erik Lamela (who are out for the season) there are not a lot of of injury concerns. It is highly unlikely whether Danny Rose will make his comeback from injury against United, after he resumed full time training with the first team squad. Meanwhile Josh Onomah and Cameron Carter-Vickers are away on international duty at the under 20 World Cup (in Japan) with their respective countries.

My predicted lineup: (3-4-2-1) Lloris (C), Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Walker, Wanyama, Eriksen, Davies, Son, Alli, Kane.

My score prediction: An emphatic 4-0 victory for Spurs courtesy of goals from Harry Kane x2, Son and Alli.

One to watch: The experienced and energetic forward, England international Wayne Rooney’s quality should never be underestimated and he will be a real source of danger tomorrow.