The Sports Bank

Timo Werner, who has been battling an unspecified virus, could come back into the Tottenham Hotspur team that will host Liverpool tomorrow. He has been a bit of flop, to be sure, but hey, Spurs could use more bodies in there right now. They don’t need any more absences right now.

In addition to Werner, fullback supreme Destiny Udogie could be back in action too. He came off early last weekend, due to muscle soreness, and missed the League Cup win over Southampton.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool FYIs

Kick-off: 4.30pm (BST), Sunday Dec 22, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Starting XI Predictions: Liverpool FC Tottenham Hotspur

Team News: Liverpool FC Tottenham Hotspur

Google Result Probability: Tottenham 23%, Draw 22% Liverpool 55%

Spurs Team News

Of course, he wouldn’t have even played in that match, if he were healthy, anyway. As for the updated list of the walking wounded- Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are all out with injuries to the same part of the body: hamstring/thigh.

Meanwhile No. 1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (ankle) is done for the season and Mikey Moore remains absent with an unspecified illness.

And then finally, Rodrigo Bentancur still has time left to serve on that egregious (and not really justified) seven game suspension.

Prediction: Liverpool FC 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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Tottenham Hotspur hosts Manchester United on Thursday in the only all-big six matchup of the League Cup’s quarterfinal round. However, there is nothing “big,” at all, about these two teams right now.

They are both sputtering in mid-table, having endured a season that thus far has seen lots of injuries, disappointments and underwhelming performances.

EFL Cup Quarterfinal FYIs

Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur

Kick: Thurs. December 19, 8pm, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Team News: Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United

Starting XI Predictions: Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United

How They Got Here:

Manchester United- Leicester City 5-2 (round of 16), Barnsley 7-0 (third round)

Tottenham Hotspur- Manchester City 2-1 (round of 16), Coventry 2-1 (third round)

Both sides have fared better in the UEFA Europa League, but their standing there isn’t anything much to write home about either. United sit seventh, but in line for qualification to the next round. Tottenham are 9th, and slotted for a position that would require a playoff, in order to advance.

Man United Starting XI Prediction at Tottenham Hotspur

Andre Onana; Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Lucha Martinez; Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes; Rasmus Hojlund

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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As Tottenham Hotspur prepare to host Manchester United for a League Cup clash, it’s worth taking a look at where these two sides are in the Premier League table. While Tottenham are three slots higher than United, they only have one more point.

And when you consider that MUFC already sacked their manager this season, one has to wonder is Ange Postecoglu is starting to feel the heat right now.

EFL Cup Quarterfinal FYIs

Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur

Kick: Thurs. December 19, 8pm, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Team News: Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United

Starting XI Predictions: Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United

How They Got Here:

Manchester United- Leicester City 5-2 (round of 16), Barnsley 7-0 (third round)

Tottenham Hotspur- Manchester City 2-1 (round of 16), Coventry 2-1 (third round)

The last thing he should have done this season was guarantee a trophy.

Given the team’s 16 years and counting silverware drought, he never should have said that, as it gave the media too much negative material to work with.

Of course win here, and you’re in the EFL Cup semifinals, so then it’s just two more wins to a trophy lift. However, the odds are still very long for them, because even if they win on Thursday, the field in this competition still includes Liverpool and Arsenal.

The manager isn’t totally to blame though of course, Dominic Solanke has pretty much been a bust; especially when you consider his exorbitant transfer fee.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction vs Manchester United

Fraser Forster; Pedro Porro, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Djed Spence; Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr; Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson; Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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For Tottenham Hotspur, it feels like this season has been a year long injury crisis, and now they have to worry about Destiny Udogie too. The stellar fullback has a thigh problem that makes him doubtful for Thursday’s League Cup quarterfinal against Manchester United. Udogie is one of Spurs’ best players, so this is the last thing they need right now.

And what is going at White Hart Lane this season, in regards to injuries with that part of the body.

EFL Cup Quarterfinal FYIs

Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur

Kick: Thurs. December 19, 8pm, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Team News: Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United

Starting XI Predictions: Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United

How They Got Here:

Manchester United- Leicester City 5-2 (round of 16), Barnsley 7-0 (third round)

Tottenham Hotspur- Manchester City 2-1 (round of 16), Coventry 2-1 (third round)

Team News for Both Sides

They have five players who are currently out with hamstring injuries: Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Ben Davies. Guglielmo Vicario (ankle) and Mikey Moore (unspecified illness) remain sidelined as well. However, there is some good news- Yves Bissouma will be back from suspension here.

Shifting gears to United, Mason Mount (leg) is a fresh injury concern here, and likely to miss out. Noussair Mazraoui is also a new fitness problem (knock), but he is expected to be passed fit to feature in the midweek clash.

Finally, we can stop pretending now Jonny Evans is day to day with whatever undisclosed, unspecified injury he has. Evans actually belongs in the out indefinitely, long-term injury absentee category.

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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Tottenham heads to Southampton FC for a game featuring two sides that really, and I mean REALLY need a victory. Spurs are now well within the second page of the standings while Saints are dead last overall.

Tottenham are falling far out of contention for European qualification while Southampton look destined for the drop, after just getting promoted only this past May.

Tottenham Hotspur at Southampton FC

Kickoff: Sun. December 15, 7pm, St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, UK

Preview Material for Both Sides: Team News Starting XI Predictions

Win Probability: Draw 21% Tottenham Hotspur 57% Southampton FC 22%

Premier League Form, Standing: Tottenham Hotspur 12th, 20pts LWDLL Southampton FC 20th, 5 pts, LLDLL

Let’s take a look at who will be in the first team, for both sides, in this matchup of two sides desperate for a W.

Starting XI Predictions

Tottenham Hotspur

Fraser Forster; Djed Spence, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie; Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall; Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Heung-Min Son

Southampton FC

Joe Lumley; Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood, Jan Bednarek, Manning; Flynn Downes, Mateus Fernandes; Tyler Dibling; Adam Armstrong, Paul Onuachu

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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Tottenham Hotspur are heading to Glasgow, Scotland for a UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday night at Rangers. It’s a match-up of two sides who are smack dab in the middle of the UEL table. Spurs come in with a slew of injuries, both long-term and short-term.

That will affect the team selection of manager Ange Postecoglu, who will no doubt need to do some squad rotation here, in spite of it all.

Rangers vs Tottenham Hotspur FYIs

Kick: Thurs. Dec. 12, 8pm, Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland

Competition: UEFA Europa League Matchday 6 of 8

Tottenham Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction

UEL Standing, Form: Tottenham 9th, 10 pts, WWWLD Rangers 8th, 10 pts, WLWDW

Two Spurs midfielders, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, are suspended in domestic play so the continental competition, where they’re still eligibly to play, provides a good opportunity for them to feature.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction vs Rangers

Fraser Forster; Pedro Porro, Radu Dragusin, Archie Gray, Destiny Udogie; Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentacur, Yves Bissouma; Brenna Johnson, Will Lankshear, Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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The only all-big six clash of the weekend will see Chelsea head to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in what should be a high-scoring affair. Expect a lot of goals and open play between two London rivals, one of whom is very much in the Premier League title race.

Chelsea currently sit second in the table, seven points behind the bellwether Liverpool FC.

London Derby FYIs

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea FC

Kickoff: Sun. December 8, 4:30 pm, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Team News for Both Sides: go here

Starting XI Predictions: Tottenham Hotspur Chelsea

Win Probability: Draw 24% Tottenham Hotspur 30% Chelsea 46%

Tottenham, on the other hand, are mid-table and fading fast. Their season is headed in the opposite/wrong direction. In terms of the first team that Blues boss Enzo Maresca may select here, we think he’ll make just two changes from the lineup that blew the doors off Southampton FC in midweek.

Renato Veiga and Jadon Sancho came in for Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke respectively, so we think they’ll be involved from the off this time around.

Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction at Tottenham Hotspur

Robert Sanchez; Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Renato Veiga; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto; Nicolas Jackson

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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If Tottenham Hotspur are to make a move, and by that I mean a real move, then the time is now. And it all starts with a trip to AFC Bournemouth on Thursday. Spurs thrashed Manchester City (a club that is uncharacteristically in a slide right now) last month, meaning a door has been opened.

Manchester United is down, while we’re not really sold on Arsenal or Chelsea yet either.

Tottenham Hotspur at AFC Bournemouth FYIs

Kickoff: Thurs. Dec 5, 2024, 8:15 pm UK, Dean Court, Vitality Stadium, Boscombe, UK

Tottenham Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction

Result Probability: Tottenham 39% Draw `25% Bournemouth 36%

PL Position, Form Guide: Tottenham 7th, 20 pts WLWLD Bournemouth 13th, 18 pts DWLLW

This is really the right year for Spurs to make a statement of intent, and move up the ladder. Ange Postecoglu said they would win a trophy this season, so it’s time to back up the big talk.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction at AFC Bournemouth

Fraser Forster; Pedro Porro, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie; Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, James Maddison; Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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Lots and lots of absentees for Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night, when they visit AFC Bournemouth for the final midweek Premier League fixture. We start with Rodrigo Bentancur who will serve the third of his seven-game suspension for domestic competition.

Elsewhere, moving on from Bentancur, Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (major ankle injury), Micky van de Ven (hamstring problem) and Richarlison (also a hamstring problem) are all ruled out here.

Tottenham Hotspur at AFC Bournemouth FYIs

Kickoff: Thurs. Dec 5, 2024, 8:15 pm UK, Dean Court, Vitality Stadium, Boscombe, UK

Tottenham Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction

Result Probability: Tottenham 39% Draw `25% AFC Bournemouth 36%

PL Position, Form Guide: Tottenham 7th, 20 pts WLWLD AFC Bournemouth 13th, 18 pts DWLLW

Spurs Team News

Mikey Moore (unspecified illness) is a strong doubt, at the least, and will likely not recover in time.

However, the news is better for Cristian Romero, whose toe injury should not keep him out for an extended period of time, we’re told. It still could be serious enough to keep him out of this next match.

You also have two players who could be cleared if they pass late fitness tests in Dominic Solanke (unspecified illness) and Archie Gray (a slight knock on the thigh).

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host a London derby on Sunday when Fulham FC comes to town. It should be a tightly contested affair and hard fought battle. So with that in mind, let’s preview this match, from the Spurs point of view.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham FC FYIs

Kickoff: Sun. Dec 1, 2024, 1:30 pm UK, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Result Probability: Tottenham 56% Draw `21% Fulham FC 23%

PL Position, Form Guide: Tottenham 8th, 19 pts WLWLW Fulham FC 12th, 18 pts LDWWL

Spurs Team News

Rodrigo Bentancur will serve the second of his seven-game suspension for domestic competition in this one. Elsewhere Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (major ankle injury), Micky van de Ven (hamstring problem) and Richarlison (also a hamstring problem) are all ruled out here.

Mikey Moore (unspecified illness) is a strong doubt, but may recover in time. However, the newest injury concern is Cristian Romero, whose toe injury should not keep him out for an extended period of time, we’re told.

However, it is serious enough to keep him out of this match.

Starting XI Prediction vs Fulham

Fraser Forster; Pedro Porro, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie; Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, James Maddison; Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke, Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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