Sky Sports

Tottenham 0-0 Wolves

Wolves sporting their eye-catching purple away kit. One of my favs.

Here come the teams!

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

“The sheer weirdness of Spurs is summed up by the fact they have lost nine of their last 16 Premier League games but six of their seven wins this season have come by a three or more goal margin. Good luck trying to dissect that one.”

Son & Hwang factor...

There is a huge South Korean presence as always - here to cheer on Son Heung-Min. But they get the bonus of watching Son's international teammate Hwang Hee-Chan too, who starts for Wolves.

'Gimme, gimme, gimme a ginger from Sweden'

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

“As the DJ spins a bit of ABBA – Gimme, Gimme, my attention immediately draws to the man who that tune is sung to. Dejan Kulusevski has been Tottenham’s best player this season – by a mile. His attacking output has increased to match his insane workload off the ball. He’s a gem. If he plays well today, Spurs win.”

LAST TIME OUT: Wolves 2-0 Man Utd

Matheus Cunha's magic from a corner led the way for Wolves against 10-man Manchester United...

LAST TIME OUT: Forest 1-0 Spurs

A disappointing away day for Tottenham on Boxing Day...

Bentancur-Bissouma dynamic - will it work?

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

"I'm interested to see the dynamic in the Spurs midfield with both Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma playing in there. Once again James Maddison has to settle for a place on the bench."

Dawson starts for Wolves

Wolves make three changes from the Manchester United win as Craig Dawson, Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde and Hwang Hee-Chan are handed starts.

Toti Gomes, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Gonçalo Guedes drop out.

Dragusin starts, Porro returns

Radu Dragusin has been passed fit to play for Tottenham meaning at least Spurs will have a natural centre-back playing this afternoon. He partners Archie Gray once again.

Yves Bissouma replaces Pape Sarr and Pedro Porro returns in two changes made.

Tottenham are missing Djed Spence (suspension), Micky Van De Ven (hamstring), Ben Davies (thigh), Richarlison (hamstring), Cristian Romero (thigh), Wilson Odobert (hamstring) and Guglielmo Vicario (ankle).

Tottenham team news - Dragusin starts!

Team to play Wolves: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Udogie, Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Johnson, Son, Solanke

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Wolves team news

Team to play Tottenham: Sa, Semedo, Doherty, Dawson, Bueno, Ait-Nouri, Andre, Gomes, Bellegarde, Cunha, Hwang

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Jones Knows: Back a heavy Spurs win

Sky Sports' betting expert Lewis Jones:

"If you fancy Tottenham, there is huge value in taking them to win on the handicap rather than just backing the 8/13 with Sky Bet for the home win. That price does look tight considering this Spurs team have won just three of their last 15 Premier League games. But under Ange Postecoglou, when Spurs win their style means they win by a big margin.

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

"All their last eight Premier League wins have seen them prevail by two or more goals and, remarkably, seven of those wins have come with a three or more margin of victory.

"And although they've found a manager bounce, this Wolves defence is prone to a collapse - they have conceded an average of 2.04 goals in 2024 - the worst record of any ever-present Premier League team. Spurs to win by three or more goals, or -2 on the handicap, is the way to play at 7/2 with Sky Bet."

SCORE PREDICTION: 4-1

Premier League Predictions and best bets: Ravenous Liverpool to feast on West Ham

Sky Sports

No Dragusin?

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

"Although there have been some murmurings that Radu Dragusin trained yesterday, there was no sign of him as the Spurs players came out for the pre-match walk around the pitch. We'll know for sure his availability in about 10 minutes."

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Hello and welcome!

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

"Always a pleasure to be reporting from this magnificent sporting venue - it’s a shame for the locals their football team doesn’t quite match up to the glorious surroundings.

"You’re always guaranteed a great time here though.

"Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are the hottest ticket in town. This place will be packed to the rafters as usual.

"Spurs should have too much firepower for lowly Wolves but the visitors arrive in good spirits under a new manager whilst the atmosphere here at the moment is very edgy.

"Stay with us as we bring you all the action. Teams dropping shortly."

PREDICTION TIME!

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Postecoglou searching for answers to injury crisis

Ange Postecoglou has revealed Tottenham are looking into why so many players have suffered injury setbacks this season.

Ben Davies is the latest to fall into that category, with the Welsh

international initially primed to return for Sunday's visit of Wolves but no longer available.

Davies suffered a setback in training this week, which means Spurs could be without a fit centre-back after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the latter stages of Thursday's 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest with an ankle issue.

Postecoglou is already without first-choice central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven after both failed to make it through their comeback fixture against Chelsea on December 7.

"Yeah, that's been our major problem this year. Guys who are coming back from injury rather than us losing players as such," Postecoglou said.

"We're looking at those things and why they're happening. It's certainly happened too often this year where guys have come back and they're the ones who are missing.

"I think just about all of them, apart from Vic (Guglielmo Vicario), are recurrences of an injury.

"Even with Romero, it was a different injury but it's still a guy coming back, so it's something we're looking at."

Pereira: Ange is a manager with very offensive ideas

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira:

"I love, I love [Postecoglou's football]. I appreciate it a lot. We competed against each other in Asia. He was the manager of Yokohama Marinos and I was the manager of Shanghai SIPG in China. We played in Asian Champions League I think two or three times against each other.

"He is a manager with different ideas, very offensive ideas. It's a team that can score a lot of goals so we have to be at our best level to compete with them. The next game will be a very hard game for us."

Pereira: I eat, breathe, sleep football here!

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira:

"I remember the time when the Japanese players are very technical when you compare with the Chinese players. In the game we played the games together, the ball was always at the Yokohama Marinos' feet. They had something special and he made a fantastic work in Japan.

"Now, we face together here in England. The country of football. I said that here I can't see the sun, but I breathe, eat and see football."

Wolves braced for Cunha ban

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira:

"We are trying to prepare with other players [a team set up to be without Matheus Cunha, who is facing a potential suspension]. When it happens, we must be ready with other players. They are doing a good work and they are trying to understand this idea of what we want with and without the ball so they are waiting for their opportunity."

The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Ange Postecoglou maintains the backing of Tottenham's board but the League Cup semi-final against Liverpool is emerging as key to the Australian's prospects.

Federico Chiesa is reportedly looking for a way out of Liverpool in January, just five months after his arrival from Juventus.

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Watch free Premier League highlights

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Jurgen Klopp has been offered the chance to get acquainted with Red Bull's Formula 1 team as he prepares to take up his new role at the Austrian company.

Real Madrid are growing increasingly convinced they can win the race to capture the prized signature of Trent Alexander-Arnold and hope he will join them on a free transfer next summer.

Santi Cazorla revealed that he would consider a return to Arsenal, as the 40-year-old nears the end of his contract in Spain.

Liverpool coach John Heitinga has emerged as a frontrunner for the vacant manager's job at West Bromwich Albion.

Ligue 1's social media team have hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo in a post to the league's official account following his controversial recent comments.

Cesc Fabregas has given Dele a boost as the former England star begins his trial period at Como FC in his bid to resurrect his career.

THE SUN ON SUNDAY

Manchester United are set to lose out on £10m in expected income if they continue on their current trajectory.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Tamworth FC have been criticised for a huge hike in ticket prices for the non-League club's FA Cup third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

Stuart Lancaster has hit out at former England international Andy Goode for suggesting he is in danger of losing his job at Racing 92.

SUNDAY EXPRESS

Manchester United are very likely to extend Harry Maguire's contract by 12 months after the former captain successfully earned Ruben Amorim's trust, according to reports.

SUNDAY MIRROR

Pep Guardiola has a five-player wishlist to improve his Manchester City side as the January transfer window approaches.

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United, with current No1 Andre Onana under increasing pressure.

THE OBSERVER

Barcelona have reportedly closed a last-minute €100m (£82.9m) deal to sell VIP boxes at the newly renovated Camp Nou to Middle Eastern investors. The club are hopeful the sale will allow them to meet financial fair play rules and finally extend Dani Olmo's registration.

A Brazilian judge has ordered the release from prison of four players from River Plate's women's football team, all of whom were arrested over an alleged racial slur during a match against Gremio.

THE SUNDAY TIMES

Alisson has challenged his Liverpool team-mates to put their names alongside the legends of the past and write a new page in the club's rich history.

SUNDAY MAIL

The Romanian media are ramping up the hype around Steaua Bucharest midfielder Darius Olaru - with close ally and former manager Cristi Pustai talking up a potential move to Rangers.

Zander Clark could cross the capital divide with the current Hearts No 2 on Hibs' list of targets, according to a report.

Hearts are reportedly in the market for Elton Kabangu from Union Saint-Gilloise.

Tottenham's injury crisis has deepened after Ben Davies suffered a setback in training to potentially leave Ange Postecoglou without a fit centre-back for Sunday's visit of Wolves.

Spurs were already without Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Davies for Thursday's 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, but issues were then compounded when Radu Dragusin limped off with an ankle problem.

Speaking about the need to enter into the January transfer market to alleviate some of the squad's lengthy issues, with up to nine players out injured and Djed Spence now suspended after getting sent off against Forest, Postecoglou said: "We're running a fine line.

"There's always been issues at different times but not to this extent. I think we've had close to pretty consistently 10 first-team players not available for a significant run of games. Definitely a first for me. We're in a tough spot and we have been for a while.

"We've been kind of getting through it for quite a while and keeping our fingers crossed we don't get any more issues.

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham - Match report & highlights

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free | Spurs fixtures

"[Transfer policy] can be disciplined, but we need a clear picture of where we're at. There is a need to reinforce if we can, it's not an easy time to do that in this window.

"The club is working hard behind the scenes to help the players we've got, who are giving everything in every game to try and get us through.

"We need to help some of these guys, because there's at least two or three who are feeling long-term injuries, so we're going to be short there. Others are coming back and need time to get up to speed. We're working hard to try to get reinforcements."

Asked if Yves Bissouma - who finished the Forest game at centre-back - could step in as an emergency defender against Wolves, he added: "Yves has never played there so I'm not sure why I would put him there. We'll see."

Guglielmo Vicario, Van de Ven, Romero, Davies, Spence, Mikey Moore, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are confirmed absentees for Sunday's Premier League meeting.

Postecoglou added on Davies: "Unfortunately he had a setback in training, so he'll probably be out for a couple of weeks."

Crystal Palace 0-0 Southampton

KICK OFF! Southampton get us underway in south London looking for a first win under new boss Ivan Juric. Game on!

Here come the teams!

Crystal Palace and Southampton are making their way out onto the pitch at a freezing cold Selhurst Park.

For the last time here in 2024, we hear 'Glad All Over' ringing out. Kick-off is just around the corner. Stick with us...

How the teams line up

Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Chalobah, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.

Substitutes: Turner, Nketiah, Schlupp, Clyne, Kamada, Doucoure, Riad, Devenny, Kporha.

Southampton: Ramsdale, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood, Walker-Peters, Fernandes, Aribo, Dibling, Armstrong, Onuachu.

Substitutes: McCarthy, Sugawara, Manning, Bella-Kotchap, Taylor, Ugochukwu, Lallana, Kamaldeen, Archer.

Free match highlights after FT!

Highlights from today's game will appear on this page shortly after the full-time whistle - and they are free to watch...

You can also find them across Sky Sports' digital platforms.

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Time for Palace to get going

Sky Sports' Zinny Boswell at Selhurst Park:

"Crystal Palace have turned a corner under Oliver Glasner after a troublesome beginning to the season, but they are still sitting just above the relegation zone heading into the game.

"Southampton, bottom of the league and six points adrift of the next closest team, are the type of side a squad of this quality should be beating.

"Victory ahead of the turn of the year would be a timely way to create a bit of separation between themselves and the relegation strugglers. Palace should be nowhere near it.

"It's time for them to kick on and get going."

Last time out: Bournemouth 0-0 Palace

Oliver Glasner's side held on for a hard-earned point at Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

Last time out: Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace

Oliver Glasner's side held on for a hard-earned point at in-form Bournemouth.

A good omen?

Crystal Palace won their final league game in each of 2021, 2022 and 2023 – they last did so in four consecutive calendar years between 1960 and 1963.

Glasner seeking the Mamba Mentality from his side in 2025

Crystal Palace boss Oliver used the words of the late great Kobe Bryant in his programme notes to send an inspiring message to his players ahead of the New Year.

He writes: "There is a great quote from Kobe Bryant: 'Try to be better today than you were yesterday, and better tomorrow than you were today'. This won't stop in 2025."

Last time out: Southampton 0-1 West Ham

The Ivan Juric era began with a defeat at home to West Ham.

Juric has it all to do at Southampton

Sky Sports' Zinny Boswell at Selhurst Park:

"Southampton will finish 2024 with six points if they lose this game at Crystal Palace, the joint-second worst return at the halfway stage of a Premier League season.

"Sunderland had the same tally in 2005/06 and were subsequently relegated, finishing bottom of the table. Sheffield United in 2020/21, the only side with fewer points at the midway point of the season, also went down in last place.

"West Brom, with 10 points, are the Premier League team with the lowest return at the halfway stage that has still managed to avoid relegation.

"The best Southampton can hope for is nine. Ominous. The newly-appointed Ivan Juric has it all to do if he is to achieve the most unlikely of survivals."

Jones Knows' PL prediction

Ivan Juric obviously likes what he sees from striker Paul Onuachu.

Although he's yet to score for the club, the entire game plan in attack revolved around the target man in the unfortunate defeat to West Ham. "Long ball, keep the ball, the head is strong," Juric said of Onuachu, who had eight shots in Juric's opening game as Saints got the ball into him quickly.

It will surely be a rinse and repeat job stylistically of playing into Onuachu, meaning his shots lines at 5/6 for two or more have great potential as a best bet.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Paul Onuachu two or more shots (5/6 with Sky Bet)

Premier League Predictions and best bets: Ravenous Liverpool to feast on West Ham

Sky Sports

Free match highlights after FT!

Highlights from today's game will appear on this page shortly after the full-time whistle - and they are free to watch...

You can also find them across Sky Sports' digital platforms.

Watch Premier League goals and highlights free online for every match in 2024/25 season

Sky Sports

How the teams line up

We are expecting both teams to line up in a three-at-the-back formation.

Bella-Kotchap returns to Southampton squad

Southampton have made three changes from the defeat against West Ham on Boxing Day.

Tyler Dibling, James Bree and Joe Aribo replace Yukinari Sugawara, Flynn Downes and Lesley Ugochukwu.

But perhaps the most interesting thing to note is the return of Armel Bella-Kotchap to the squad for the first time since August.

The defender could not get a look in under Russell Martin, but Ivan Juric is showing he might have space for him in his plans.

Hughes fit enough to start for Crystal Palace

Will Hughes has shaken off a knock he suffered against Bournemouth and starts for Crystal Palace.

Not only that, but he captains the side in the absence of the suspended Marc Guehi, who is replaced at centre-back by Chris Richards.

Other than that, Oliver Glasner has stuck with the same side that earned a draw at Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

Crystal Palace team news

Team to face Southampton: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Chalobah, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.

Substitutes: Turner, Nketiah, Schlupp, Clyne, Kamada, Doucoure, Riad, Devenny, Kporha.

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Southampton team news

Team to face Crystal Palace: Ramsdale, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood, Walker-Peters, Fernandes, Aribo, Dibling, Armstrong, Onuachu.

Substitutes: McCarthy, Sugawara, Manning, Bella-Kotchap, Taylor, Ugochukwu, Lallana, Kamaldeen, Archer.

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Team news coming up!

Southampton boss Ivan Juric is here. Stick with us to find out what team he has selected in just a few minutes.

Early Southampton team news

Southampton can once again call upon Maxwel Cornet after he was ineligible to face West Ham on Boxing Day.

This game comes too soon for Will Smallbone though as he closes in on a return from a hamstring injury.

Anthony Elanga scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest secured victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day.

Nuno Espirito Santo came back to haunt his former side with his current team now climbing into third place in the Premier League thanks to Elanga's first-half opener, which capped off their regular threat on the counter.

Meanwhile, Tottenham's misery following their 6-3 defeat to Liverpool last weekend was only compounded with this trip to the East Midlands, as Ange Postecoglou's men continue to dwell in the bottom half of the table after another lacklustre outing.

As it happened: How Forest beat Spurs

Teams | Match stats

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

Brennan Johnson, who was given a hostile reception on his return to the City Ground, went closest for the visitors but saw his well-struck effort saved by the diving Matz Sels.

Tottenham started the game well - with Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-Min Son looking lively - but came out flat after the restart and little changed for the rest of the game.

It was another afternoon to forget for Postecoglou and his team, as he watched on from the sidelines with his head in his hands following Djed Spence's late red card against his former team.

Whereas for Forest, it was another day to celebrate. It is now four wins on the bounce and they are showing no signs of slowing down in their push for European football.

Elanga: We exploited how Tottenham play

Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga speaking to Amazon:

"Teams can have the ball as much as they want but it's about who wins the game.

"The manager is always able to adjust and we have done that brilliantly.

"There was space in behind. There was loads of space in the game, that is how Tottenham play - with the high line."

Man mountain Murillo

Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe:

Forest secured all three points and the clean sheet to go alongside it against Tottenham - but they could not have done it without Murillo.

As Postecoglou rightly pointed out, his side possessed a threat in the final third but ultimately could not capitalise on it. And that is because of Forest's man mountain at the back.

His final figures came in at nine clearances, three blocked shots, three tackles and five duels won.

When there was space, he would close it. When there was a ball to be won, there was no contest.

The home crowd serenaded him throughout the entirety of the game. He is a fan favourite and it is clear to see why, the partnership forming with Nikola Milenkovic is the foundation that this historic season for the club is being built upon.

Nuno: Our defence is special

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo:

"It was a good performance. We spoke before about quality in this Spurs team. They score a lot of goals and the way we started was nice and brave.

"We got out well and in the second half we started better. In the final moments it was about defending and belief. The commitment of the players to avoid danger was good. The centre of defence is huge for us. It is really special."

Postecoglou: Disappointing loss again

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:

"Disappointing but it was a tight game. We had chances to get something. Disappointing goal but aside from that, the boys worked hard.

"We created some good ones and were not able to capitalise. Keeper pulled off some good saves to keep them in the game."

Bad to worse for Tottenham

Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe

"It was his ankle and he said he could not continue. We will have to see," said Postecoglou after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the loss to Forest.

After the short injury update and outlining how "disappointing" it was to walk away from the City Ground empty handed, Postecoglou was nowhere to be seen in the press room.

It took just 150 seconds for the Tottenham boss to exit the building and it was clear to see he was not keen on answering many questions.

An injury to the only recognised centre-back left in the match-day squad, a red card for Spence who had shown promise across the last three outings and his side still dwelling in the bottom half.

The situation for Tottenham is growing bleaker by the day and the upcoming fixture against Wolves, which is just three days away, feels like a must-win game.

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

Anthony Elanga scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest secured victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day.

Nuno Espirito Santo came back to haunt his former side with his current team now climbing into third place in the Premier League thanks to Elanga's first-half opener, which capped off their regular threat on the counter.

Meanwhile, Tottenham's misery following their 6-3 defeat to Liverpool last weekend was only compounded with this trip to the East Midlands, as Ange Postecoglou's men continue to dwell in the bottom half of the table after another lacklustre outing.

As it happened: How Forest beat Spurs

Teams | Match stats

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

Brennan Johnson, who was given a hostile reception on his return to the City Ground, went closest for the visitors but saw his well-struck effort saved by the diving Matz Sels.

Tottenham started the game well - with Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-Min Son looking lively - but came out flat after the restart and little changed for the rest of the game.

It was another afternoon to forget for Postecoglou and his team, as he watched on from the sidelines with his head in his hands following Djed Spence's late red card against his former team.

Whereas for Forest, it was another day to celebrate. It is now four wins on the bounce and they are showing no signs of slowing down in their push for European football.

Elanga: We exploited how Tottenham play

Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga speaking to Amazon:

"Teams can have the ball as much as they want but it's about who wins the game.

"The manager is always able to adjust and we have done that brilliantly.

"There was space in behind. There was loads of space in the game, that is how Tottenham play - with the high line."

Man mountain Murillo

Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe:

Forest secured all three points and the clean sheet to go alongside it against Tottenham - but they could not have done it without Murillo.

As Postecoglou rightly pointed out, his side possessed a threat in the final third but ultimately could not capitalise on it. And that is because of Forest's man mountain at the back.

His final figures came in at nine clearances, three blocked shots, three tackles and five duels won.

When there was space, he would close it. When there was a ball to be won, there was no contest.

The home crowd serenaded him throughout the entirety of the game. He is a fan favourite and it is clear to see why, the partnership forming with Nikola Milenkovic is the foundation that this historic season for the club is being built upon.

Nuno: Our defence is special

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo:

"It was a good performance. We spoke before about quality in this Spurs team. They score a lot of goals and the way we started was nice and brave.

"We got out well and in the second half we started better. In the final moments it was about defending and belief. The commitment of the players to avoid danger was good. The centre of defence is huge for us. It is really special."

Postecoglou: Disappointing loss again

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:

"Disappointing but it was a tight game. We had chances to get something. Disappointing goal but aside from that, the boys worked hard.

"We created some good ones and were not able to capitalise. Keeper pulled off some good saves to keep them in the game."

Bad to worse for Tottenham

Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe

"It was his ankle and he said he could not continue. We will have to see," said Postecoglou after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the loss to Forest.

After the short injury update and outlining how "disappointing" it was to walk away from the City Ground empty handed, Postecoglou was nowhere to be seen in the press room.

It took just 150 seconds for the Tottenham boss to exit the building and it was clear to see he was not keen on answering many questions.

An injury to the only recognised centre-back left in the match-day squad, a red card for Spence who had shown promise across the last three outings and his side still dwelling in the bottom half.

The situation for Tottenham is growing bleaker by the day and the upcoming fixture against Wolves, which is just three days away, feels like a must-win game.

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

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First Half: Southampton 0-0 West Ham

New Saints boss Juric takes charge of first game with side rock bottom

Watch FREE highlights shortly after full time | Live PL table

Teams: No Paqueta for West Ham | Stats | Sky Bet

Live commentary by Sam Blitz and Ben Grounds

Here we go!

Out come the teams at St Mary's!

The Ivan Juric era is about to begin on the south coast. Can they pick up a win here in what could well be a winnable fixture?

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Team news reminder!

Ten minutes to go until Ivan Juric's first game as Southampton boss. Here's a reminder of the two teams:

Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Armstrong, Onuachu

Subs: McCarthy, Bree, Manning, Fraser, Aribo, Lallana, Sulemana, Dibling, Archer

West Ham: Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Soler, Soucek; Bowen, Fullkrug, Kudus

Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Coufal, Summerville, Guillherme, Ings, Alvarez, Todibo, Irving

The 2024 awards - the Essential review of the footballing year

As we count down to the end of a memorable year in football, relive the last 12 months in the Premier League and beyond as Sky Sports football journalists Ron Walker, Ben Grounds and Sam Blitz dish out the awards for the best and the worst of 2024.

Who's been top of the tree, who's been the surprise package... And who's been the biggest disappointment? Get the discussion started around the Christmas table in the company of Sky Sports.

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Lopetegui: We have to keep the positivity

West Ham are unbeaten in their last three matches but Julen Lopetegui’s position is still under scrutiny.

The Spaniard could do with a win, especially with games against Liverpool and Manchester City next up.

“It’s true that we are unbeaten but we’d like to have more points,” he added.

“We have to keep the positivity and try to improve. The players are improving a lot of things but it’s a big challenge.

“Three games left in December, we have to be ready to face the matches with a strong mentality and be ambitious. We have very difficult matches in front of us. We have to face it with the right mentality.”

Was Estupinan lucky to avoid red vs West Ham?

Ref Watch analyse Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan's challenge on Max Kilman during their Premier League fixture against West Ham.

LAST TIME OUT: West Ham hold Brighton

Lopetegui hopes West Ham can avoid new manager bounce at Southampton

Julen Lopetegui is hoping West Ham can avoid another dose of new manager bounce when they head to Southampton on Boxing Day.

The Hammers were thumped 3-1 at Leicester earlier this month in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match in charge of the Foxes.

“I saw them play against Fulham, and other games, and they have quality players,” said Lopetegui of today's opponents, Southampton.

“With a new coach, always there is a new and extra energy among the players. We saw this in Leicester. It’s going to be a very, very difficult match for us. There is nothing else in our mind.

“Juric is a very experienced coach in Italy. For sure he’ll bring a new energy for the team when you change a coach.

“Above all they have good players. They’ve played well and have good technical and physical players. It’s like all challenges in the Premier League.

“We have to be ready to do our best and understand the match we have in front of us.”

Juric prepared to make PL 'history' with Saints

New Southampton boss Ivan Juric is staying really optimistic in an effort to keep his new team in the Premier League this season.

Juric's death metal style to management

New Southampton boss Ivan Juric insists the Premier League's bottom side can do "something exceptional" in their relegation fight as he prepares to implement his "death metal" style of play.

Juric revealed the Saints initially reached out two years ago when he was in charge of Torino, and while he remained at the Serie A side the Southampton project always remained a "dream."

The 49-year-old said: "It will be a very tough job and I know that in the history nobody stayed in the Premiership with this situation, but like I said, I think there are a lot of good players, and we have much better in some moments of the game.

"I am optimistic. I'm really optimistic. Even the other day, I saw their mentality, and it's the first step to doing better.

"I think we can do something exceptional. The guys have to be very motivated to do something that never, nobody did.

"They don't know me but I know them. I said that I believe in them, they have quality, they can do it. Be positive, work hard, and everything is possible.

"When I was young I liked death metal music a lot, and that's something I think my style of football is like metal music.

"Now a little bit less, I'm a little bit soft now, but it's always in my head, good metal music."

PL Predictions: New manager bounce for Saints?

Sky Sports tipster Lewis Jones:

The Saints battled their way to a hard-earned and deserved goalless draw at Fulham, restricting Marco Silva's side side to an expected goals figure of 1.04. It was a performance that had Ivan Juric's stamp all over it despite him not being officially in charge. His work at Torino, where they finished ninth last season before leaving for Roma, was built on solid foundations in defence. Only Inter Milan, Juventus and Bologna conceded fewer goals than Torino last season.

It's obviously worth treading carefully with any Saints bets in the early stages of the new manager and even though the overall numbers in the Premier League scream profit for over 2.5 goals backers, the under 2.5 line here at 6/5 with Sky Bet is too big to pass up.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-0

Premier League Predictions and best bets: Nottingham Forest to turn heat up on Ange Postecoglou and Spurs

Sky Sports

LAST TIME OUT: Saints deny Fulham a win

How the Premier League table looks...

Ivan Juric takes over at Southampton with his side eight points from safety.

It would be an almighty turnaround were the Croatian march the Saints to safety, probably one of the Premier League's all-time achievements...

West Ham lie eight points above the drop zone, this is a big chance to get three big points on the board...

Paqueta absent for West Ham at Saints

West Ham have also made two changes to their team, both of them coming in midfield.

Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez start over Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqueta - the latter is not in the Hammers matchday squad due to suspension.

Niclas Fullkrug continues to lead the line after getting his first start against Brighton last time out...

Onuachu starts up front for Saints in Juric's first team

Southampton have made two changes from the team who held Fulham to a goalless draw last weekend, as Ivan Juric names his first Saints line-up.

In come Lesley Ugochukwu and Paul Onuachu in place of Joe Aribo and Tyler Dibling, who both drop to the bench.

Saints continue with the back five that kept them a clean sheet at Craven Cottage.

West Ham team news

Team to play Southampton: Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Soler, Soucek; Bowen, Fullkrug, Kudus

Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Coufal, Summerville, Guillherme, Ings, Alvarez, Todibo, Irving

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Southampton team news

Team to play West Ham: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Armstrong, Onuachu

Subs: McCarthy, Bree, Manning, Fraser, Aribo, Lallana, Sulemana, Dibling, Archer

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Team news is in FIVE minutes!

What will Ivan Juric spring in his first Southampton line-up? Will Julen Lopetegui make any changes?

Find out here very shortly...

Who is new Saints boss Ivan Juric?

The Croatian manager started his coaching career working under Gian Piero Gasperini - who is currently the revolutionary head coach at Atalanta.

Juric worked in Gasperini's coaching staff at Inter Milan and Palermo, before taking his first job at Serie C side Mantova in the 2014-15 campaign.

The following season, he took a Serie B job at Crotone and got them promoted to Serie A for the first time in the club's history that term. He did not take them into the Italian top-flight though, as he was offered to replace Gasperini at Genoa, which he accepted.

Juric then had three separate spells at Genoa in the space of two years - being sacked by the club three times between February 2017 and December 2018.

He finally found stability at Hellas Verona in 2019, who had just been promoted to Serie A. With one of the smallest budgets in the league, he kept them in the top flight for two straight seasons - before taking the Torino job.

The Croatian left Torino at the end of last season after three seasons in Serie A and took on the Roma job in September of this year after The Friedkin Group sacked fan favourite Daniele de Rossi. Juric, however, did not even last two months as he was sacked with the Giallorossi four points above the relegation zone.

Ivan Juric: Southampton appoint former Roma boss to replace Russell Martin as manager

Sky Sports