Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth

Top spot in the Premier League table is there for the taking for Tottenham Hotspur when they welcome Bournemouth to their North London home on Saturday afternoon.

Thomas Frank masterminded a terrific 2-0 triumph at Manchester City last weekend, while the Cherries are reeling from a second-round EFL Cup exit at the hands of Brentford.

Match preview

Death, taxes, and Tottenham winning at the Etihad. Last Saturday's early kickoff pitted two teams who could hardly have enjoyed more perfect opening matches against each other, but the ruthlessness that City displayed at Wolverhampton Wanderers eluded them in front of their own fans.

Brennan Johnson's brilliant breakaway goal preceded a horror moment from James Trafford, whose inexplicable pass out from the back led to Joao Palhinha firing in Spurs' second, and Frank's dogged defence calmly kept Erling Haaland and co at bay in the second 45.

Joining the most elite of elite managerial clubs, Frank - who also led Brentford to an extraordinary Etihad triumph in 2022 - is now just the third manager in history to beat Pep Guardiola away from home with two different clubs, following in the footsteps of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

Only trailing bitter foes Arsenal on goal difference in second place, Spurs will climb to the summit with just one point against Bournemouth, although the Lilywhites faithful will undoubtedly view a draw as a defeat owing to Frank's wonderful start to life at the club so far.

Victory in the capital would see Spurs open a Premier League campaign with three successive wins for just the fourth time ever, while only once before have they earned three straight wins and three straight clean sheets at the start of a Premier League season - under Nuno Espirito Santo in 2021-22.

Speaking of wins and clean sheets, upcoming foes Bournemouth atoned for their defensive mishaps against Liverpool with a staunch display against Wolves, who had no answer to Marcus Tavernier's early goal and Toti's sending-off in a 1-0 defeat to the Cherries last weekend.

However, delight soon turned to despair for Andoni Iraola's men in midweek, as Brentford paid a visit of the second round of the EFL Cup and left with their name in the hat for the third round, as Fabio Carvalho and Igor Thiago struck either side of the half-time whistle.

A premature knockout exit means that one potential path to European football has been blocked off for Iraola's side, but as intimidating as Saturday's trip may be, Bournemouth can draw upon inspiration from their recent dealings in the capital.

Indeed, the Cherries have gone unbeaten in their last six Premier League games away to London clubs - albeit while drawing five of them - and they have failed to score in just one of their 16 top-flight matches on the road.

Iraola's side also collected a praiseworthy four points from a possible six against Tottenham in the 2024-25 season, although they squandered a 2-0 lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to draw 2-2, as now ex-captain Son Heung-min stole a point from the penalty spot late on.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Bournemouth Premier League form:

Bournemouth form (all competitions):

Team News

Yet to make an appearance this season due to both a knock and disciplinary concerns, Yves Bissouma was thought to have been closing in on a transfer to Galatasaray, but it has now been reported that a deal could fall through due to worries about his physical condition.

Either way, the Mali international will likely sit this one out alongside Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Radu Dragusin (ACL), James Maddison (ACL), Kota Takai (foot) and Bryan Gil (knee), while Destiny Udogie (knee) and Manor Solomon (calf) are touch and go.

However, Frank should stick with a winning formula barring any late fitness concerns, as Richarlison and Johnson both seek a slice of history; the pair could become the first-ever Spurs players to register a goal or assist in the opening three games of a Premier League season.

As far as Bournemouth are concerned, right-back Julian Araujo was dismissed for two bookable offences in the EFL Cup loss to Brentford, meaning that he will serve a one-match ban this weekend.

The long-serving Adam Smith will be a straight swap for Araujo in defence, but the latter should be just one of three absentees for the visitors on Saturday alongside Enes Unal and Lewis Cook, both of whom are out until after the international break with knee injuries.

Iraola offered starts to the likes of Ben Doak, Amine Adli and Eli Junior Kroupi in midweek, but the Cherries boss will now revert to the attacking quartet of Tavernier, Antoine Semenyo, David Brooks and Evanilson as his new signings return to the reserves bench.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Sarr, Johnson; Richarlison

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Brooks; Evanilson

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Bournemouth

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With Semenyo in the side, Bournemouth always pose a threat going forwards, and the Cherries are seldom kept at bay in Premier League away matches.

However, a consolation strike is surely all that Iraola's men can hope for, as a well-rested and well-motivated Spurs side should claim top spot in the table - for approximately 24 hours at least.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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