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Former Spurs striker Vincent Janssen has named the best player he ever played with at Tottenham Hotspur – and it is not Harry Kane.

It is safe to say Vincent Janssen did not have the best of times at Tottenham.

The Dutchman was never really given many opportunities, mainly because he was competing with Spurs’ greatest-ever goalscorer, Harry Kane.

Now 30, Janssen has since moved on from his difficult spell in North London and is currently playing for Royal Antwerp in Belgium.

He has put together a respectable season, registering 10 goals and six assists in 27 league appearances—already an improvement on the six goals and four assists he managed in 42 games for Spurs.

Vincent Janssen reveals the best player he played with at Tottenham

The ex-Tottenham man has been reflecting on his time in North London this week, openly admitting that he never felt he deserved more playing time during his underwhelming stint at the club. He recognised that Kane was simply on another level.

While he was full of praise for the England captain, who was one of several top talents he played alongside, Janssen revealed that the best player he has ever shared the pitch with at Spurs was not Kane. Instead, he singled out former Tottenham fan favourite Mousa Dembele.

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Speaking to Voetbal Primeur, he said: “He was the best I played with. You simply could not take the ball away from him. And he always did something good with it. He was really incredible. He could do everything.”

Mousa Dembele’s legacy at Tottenham

Dembélé joined Tottenham from Fulham in August 2012 for a fee of €19m (£16m). Over the next seven years, he made 249 appearances for the club before moving to China in 2019.

Despite never being the most high-profile name in the squad, Mousa Dembele was widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted players of his generation.

His dribbling, ball retention, and physicality made him a nightmare for opponents, and he often received plaudits for his ability to dictate play from deep midfield – traits missing from the current Tottenham squad.

With Spurs struggling for midfield control this season, having a player of Dembele’s calibre in the squad today would no doubt elevate the team’s performances significantly.

Tottenham legend Ledley King has heaped praise on a Tottenham Hotspur defender who has the ability to play in a more offensive role on the pitch.

Tottenham supporters have had little to shout about this season. A disastrous Premier League campaign has been accompanied by disappointments in the domestic cup competitions, leaving nothing but the Europa League to play for.

However, there has been one success story about a player who was written off by the masses. This is none other than Djed Spence, who has been exceptional since stepping up at left-back when Destiny Udogie was out with a hamstring injury.

Spence has made 23 appearances across all competitions for Spurs this season and he has earned the trust of Ange Postecoglou along the way. He has been solid not only as a defender, but in attack as well. The 24-year-old has two goals and two assists, but he has done so much more than his goal contribution statistics reveal.

This has been highlighted by the neutrals as well as those inside Tottenham’s camp, as Spence was nominated for the February Premier League player of the month award.

Ledley King suggests Djed Spence can play in attack

Ledley King worked alongside some exceptional teammates in his playing career, including Gareth Bale who famously made the switch from left-back to winger. The Spurs hero has claimed Spence has the quality needed to make a positional switch to a more attacking role in the future.

He told SpursPLAY: “Defensively he’s very difficult to beat in one-on-one situations, his energy, his dynamism, he wants to get forward and attack players at every moment.

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“He’s just been fantastic considering the way he’s had to deal with difficult circumstances – he’s been terrific.”

When asked about how impressed he has been with Spence’s ability on the ball, King added: “He looks like someone who could play further forward, in fact, that’s how good he looks going forward. I was delighted that he was able to get his first goal, he deserved that for sure.”

Spence snubbed by England despite strong Tottenham performances

Spence may have silenced his doubters at Tottenham, but he has not been selected in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad. Instead, Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly has received his first call-up, while veteran Kyle Walker has also been preferred to the Spurs full-back.

Spence has already shown he can play on either the left or right, but this has not been enough to secure him a spot for his national team. Should Spence go on to prove himself as an attacking option, he could open up more opportunities. The way he has been playing, there is every reason to believe he would succeed in a more attacking role.

Tottenham Hotspur face Fulham away on Sunday afternoon in the 29th week of the Premier League, hoping to win three away games in a row for the first time since 2020.

Spurs take a trip to West London just three days after defeating AZ Alkmaar 3-1 in the Europa League, as they prepare to face 10th-placed Fulham at Craven Cottage for one final match before the international break.

That was the kind of football Ange Postecoglou has been demanding from his side and while the Premier League may no longer be Spurs fans’ top priority, there’s finally some genuine excitement around watching them again.

What time does Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur kick-off?

How both teams go into Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham head into this clash off the back of a 3-1 win over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night, overturning a first-leg deficit to book their place in the Europa League quarter-finals. Thanks to a brace from the debutant Wilson Odobert and one from James Maddison.

Before that, Spurs managed to rescue a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, coming from two goals down. In their last five league outings, they have picked up three wins, one draw, and one defeat. The Lilywhites have also conceded only four goals, though two of those came in the Bournemouth match alone.

Fulham, meanwhile, sit 10th in the table, eight points ahead of Spurs. Marco Silva’s side have had an impressive season and remain in the hunt for a European finish. However, if there’s one team that rivals Spurs in squandering leads, it’s Fulham.

They arrive at this fixture following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton, where they let a one-goal advantage slip in stoppage time, courtesy of a late Joao Pedro penalty.

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Just before that, they stunned Manchester United in the FA Cup, somehow throwing away a lead again before winning on penalties, thanks to Bernd Leno heroics. Spurs fans will have flashbacks to last season’s Carabao Cup clash against them where they too exited in similar fashion. Regardless, Fulham could be dark horses for FA Cup glory this year.

Spurs’ head-to-head record vs Fulham

The last time these two sides met, Spurs were sixth and Fulham ninth. Fast forward a few months, and while the hosts have maintained their position, Spurs have slipped further down the table.

In that clash, Spurs were the ones to throw away a lead, conceding an equaliser less than 15 minutes after going ahead. The debate over which team is worse at holding onto an advantage just got a whole lot more interesting.

Craven Cottage hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Spurs in recent visits. Their 3-0 defeat there last season, which also came just before an international break, was arguably their worst performance of the campaign. That loss also saw Postecoglou’s side’s record-breaking 39-game scoring streak in the Premier League come to an end.

That being said, history still favours Spurs. Fulham are unbeaten in their last two league meetings with Tottenham. However, prior to that, they had lost 14 of their previous 16 against Spurs. (one win, one draw).

Tottenham team news

It’s hard for a Tottenham game to go by without someone suffering an injury. That’s been the story of their season. Against Alkmaar, it was Lucas Bergvall’s turn.

The Swedish teenager left the pitch late on after seemingly suffering an injury to his leg. However, he was able to walk off and even completed a lap around the pitch. While that may suggest it might just be a knock, we’ll wait for any updates from Postecoglou’s press conference later today.

On a positive note, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, thankfully, came through the match uninjured. Ben Davies also returned to the pitch for the first time since mid-February.

As things stand, the only confirmed absentees remain Dejan Kulusevski, Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin, and Richarlison.

Fulham team news

Sasa Lukic will miss this game as result of his two-match suspension following a yellow card against Wolves last month.

In terms of injuries, Reiss Nelson, Kenny Tete, and Harry Wilson are all ruled out while Adama Traore is a doubt.

Predicted Tottenham line-up

Vicario; Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Spence; Bentancur, Gray, Maddison; Odobert, Tel, Werner

Postecoglou has already confirmed that he’ll be making changes to the lineup that started against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, given the short turnaround. That explains why our predicted lineup may appear odd to some.

Djed Spence and James Maddison might have missed out on England call-ups, but that could work in Spurs’ favour; Postecoglou could push them for one last start before the break. Destiny Udogie is another option, having played just five minutes across the last two games.

Van de Ven and Romero started together for the first time this year against Alkmaar, and while they were on the pitch, Spurs barely looked threatened. Alkmaar’s only goal came after Van de Ven was substituted, and that pretty much says everything. They could start together once again.

With Dominic Solanke called up for England duty, Mathys Tel is expected to lead the line once again. Meanwhile, Heung-min Son has played a lot of football recently, so Timo Werner may get the nod on the left. Son and Brennan Johnson could come on later in the game.

Key players to watch out for

Guglielmo Vicario. Since returning from his ankle injury, Vicario has started seven games for Spurs and has been outstanding. He has conceded just six goals in those matches, and without him, Spurs’ recent results could have looked very different. It’s about time the Italian shot-stopper gets the recognition he deserves.

Wilson Odobert. Fresh off a brace against AZ Alkmaar, Odobert is thriving with confidence. There’s now real competition for Brennan Johnson on the right wing, and FPL managers will want to keep an eye on him.

Antonee Robinson. Speaking of FPL, there’s hardly any backline without Robinson. The American full-back is enjoying a dream season, registering 10 goal involvements (all assists). For a full-back, an assist is often more valuable than a goal, and he has been one of Marco Silva’s biggest weapons.

Alex Iwobi. Iwobi has been in fantastic form, providing an assist in his latest outing. The winger frequently drifts into different areas of the pitch, and with a dribbling success rate of 53.5%, Djed Spence will have his hands full trying to contain him.

Archie Gray (Potential Surprise). We would have loved to include Lucas Bergvall in this list, but he is likely to be rested. However, for that reason, this could finally be the moment Archie Gray kicks the ball in his natural No. 6 role. Never stop dreaming, Spurs fans!

Our prediction

Spurs have been stuck in the bottom half of the table for months now, and the harsh reality is that their chances of securing a European finish through the league are virtually nonexistent.

However, the Europa League lifeline remains. Winning the competition would guarantee them a Champions League spot next season, regardless of their domestic struggles.

A win here won’t change their league position. They will stay 13th, but a defeat, combined with victories for West Ham or Everton and Manchester United, could see them slip as low as 15th. In short, this is a game of ‘damage control’.

If there’s one thing worse than Spurs’ record before international breaks, it’s Fulham’s home form. The Cottagers have won just one of their last seven home league matches. They have also managed just one clean sheet in their last 18 Premier League games at Craven Cottage and that came against Southampton.

Given Fulham’s shaky home form and Spurs’ reignited confidence, we’re backing Postecoglou’s men to get the job done.

A football finance expert has explained that despite Tottenham’s public stance against the European Super League, the Lilywhites are one of several Premier League clubs who are still looking to join the breakaway competition.

Tottenham Hotspur and the other members of the ‘Big Six’ signed up for the controversial European Super League in the summer of 2021. All six were eventually forced to withdraw from the proposed competition following a spate of fan protests.

It was reported back in December that the European Super League idea had been resuscitated again, this time under a new brand and a new format.

Unlike the initial ESL proposal, the newly proposed competition does not include the idea of automatic qualification for any clubs, with teams instead having to qualify annually for the competition.

Tottenham stance on European Super League revealed

Football Finance expert Kieran Maguire believes that the Tottenham hierarchy will be desperate to get into the breakaway competition.

He explained that the financial rewards of doing so are too high for the likes of Spurs to turn down as the club would no longer have to depend on Champions League qualification for a revenue boost.

When asked if Tottenham will consider entering the Super League, Maguire said (via TBR Football): “Privately, they will be in favour of Super League. They are 13th in the Premier League. Under A22’s proposal, they can offer them almost guaranteed participation in the Star League [the top league of the revised format] each year.

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“While it won’t be a closed shop in formal terms, it will effectively be in the sense that the Premier League is a closed shop for all intents and purposes. A bad season for Spurs in the Premier League is finishing 12th or 13th and a bad season in the Star League will be similar.

“But they are unlikely to be relegated from either league. That is different from the Champions League, where you can be in it one season and not the next, with a huge swing in revenue as a result.”

Maguire explains why Spurs will not make Super League stance public

There is already a lot of anger directed at the owners by sections of the Spurs fan base, with Tottenham supporters protesting in the thousands last month, calling for Daniel Levy and ENIC to leave.

Given the way the Spurs owners are perceived at the moment, Maguire believes that they will not risk stoking the fan’s wrath by going public with their desire, suggesting that it is simply a means to put pressure on UEFA to change their revenue distribution model.

Maguire added: “Spurs will say one thing in private and another in public but from an optics point of view they can’t be seen to be coming out in favour of this.

“Unless there is a major change in public opinion and the regulator’s position, they can’t be seen to be extolling its virtues, but it would help to de-risk the Champions League issue in terms of revenue volatility. It may be that this is simply a ploy to extract more money from UEFA.”

At the height of Tottenham Hotspur’s injury woes this season, the squad was left severely depleted, with up to 12 first-team players sidelined. Now, former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe has weighed in, expressing sympathy for the current team and reflecting on how similar struggles would have impacted his own era.

At one point this season, Tottenham found themselves in a dire situation. Injuries had ravaged every area of the pitch, leaving them with what could have been an entire starting eleven watching from the sidelines.

The crisis derailed their campaign, forcing manager Ange Postecoglou into a desperate juggling act with his squad selections.

While key players have since returned, and measures have been taken by Tottenham to avoid another injury crisis, only time will tell if those efforts bear fruit.

Jermain Defoe reflects on Tottenham’s injury struggles

Speaking to Squawka, former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe acknowledged just how damaging the injury crisis was for his old club.

The ex-England international admitted that had a similar situation occurred during his time at Spurs, the impact would have been just as severe.

He said: “If I played in a team where (Heurelho) Gomes was injured and Ledley King was injured, and (Michael) Dawson was injured, and then I was injured, Gareth (Bale) was injured, (Aaron) Lennon was injured, (Peter) Crouchy was.

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“Of course, it’s going to be difficult for the players. Especially the players who haven’t played and who get to come in and keep the club at that sort of level. So we understand that. But there’s still an opportunity to win a trophy.”

Tottenham’s season hangs on Europa League triumph

Undoubtedly, Tottenham’s injury struggles have played a major role in what is shaping up to be their worst Premier League campaign in over a decade.

Their hopes of domestic silverware were dashed early, with exits from both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup leaving them reliant on their Europa League run to salvage their season.

With most of their key players now back to full fitness, Spurs will be hoping for a strong finish to the campaign.

A deep Europa League run could yet provide some redemption, but anything less would leave fans with little to celebrate in what has been a frustrating season.

Tottenham Hotspur have turned their attention to Club Brugge’s Ardon Jashari, with fresh reports suggesting that they have been actively scouting the Swiss international.

Tottenham’s priority signing for the upcoming season is expected to be a midfielder, and it is a position that clearly needs reinforcing.

Yves Bissouma’s future at Tottenham remains uncertain with crunch talks expected, with the Mali international struggling for consistency leading to recent omissions from Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI.

Tottenham fans are divided over whether Rodrigo Bentancur deserves a new contract, with the Uruguayan showcasing some patchy form in recent weeks. This comes after reports that Spurs are already in talks with Bentancur over a fresh deal.

With uncertainty in midfield, Spurs have been linked with multiple targets, including Johnny Cardoso. Of course, Cardoso’s stats have been compared to Bissouma’s in recent weeks.

Tottenham scouting Ardon Jashari amid midfield rebuild

However, new reports from Voetbal Primeur, now indicate that Tottenham are among several clubs closely monitoring Ardon Jashari, who has been impressing for Club Brugge.

Spurs are not alone in their pursuit, with other Premier League sides also keeping tabs on the 22-year-old midfielder.

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The outlet revealed that Tottenham scouts were present at the Jan Breydel Stadium last week, where they watched Jashari in action against Aston Villa in the Champions League.

The young midfielder who is regarded as one of the best players in the Belgian Pro League by Defour, was also lauded by Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola after City took on Brugge earlier this season.

Jashari’s qualities and Premier League potential

The Swiss midfielder has already left a strong impression and former Premier League player Defour is convinced he would be a quality addition to any side.

“He is the best player in our league and perhaps even one of the best of the last ten years,” Defour told the publication.

“His combination of energy, aggression and calmness on the ball is unique. He reads the game excellently and is technically strong enough to compete at the highest level.

“The time when it was all about running and pounding is long gone. His dynamism and way of playing forward would not be out of place at a team from the English sub-top.”

Jermain Defoe has revealed who some Tottenham coaches wanted the club to hire before Ange Postecoglou was selected back in 2023.

Thomas Tuchel has announced his first England squad as he sets to begin his reign as Three Lions boss with World Cup qualifier wins against Albania and Latvia.

James Maddison and Djed Spence missed out on a spot in the squad while Dominic Solanke continues to serve as Harry Kane’s understudy in the national team set-up.

However, in an alternate universe, it turns out that Tuchel could have been managing those players at Tottenham, with the German coach allegedly being in consideration to get the Spurs job.

Fabio Paratici pushed for Tottenham to replace Antonio Conte with Tuchel back in 2023 before Ange Postecoglou was hired.

Jermain Defoe wanted Thomas Tuchel at Tottenham

Defoe has now claimed that the former Chelsea boss was one of the names on the lips of Tottenham coaches when the Lilywhites were looking to find a successor to Conte.

The Spurs legend, who was working as an academy coach at Hotspur Way at the time, explained that the coaches at the club were excited about the possibility of working with the German.

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Defore told talkSPORT: “I was in the Tottenham academy coaching for two years. Before Ange got the job, I had a conversation with some of the coaches.

“We were actually saying, ‘Cor, if we got Thomas Tuchel here’. Because we’d heard in terms of his detail and his coaching, even speaking to Harry (Kane), his sessions and the detail that he gives the players and the energy and what he brings to the job, he said it’s unbelievable. That’s what they say.”

Defoe thinks Tuchel can bring success to England

There has been a lot of discussion over recent months over whether England should have gone for an English coach rather than someone from abroad.

However, Defoe believes that it is as simple as hiring the best man for the job and that in Tuchel, the FA have found someone who can lead the team to trophies.

When asked about England hiring a non-Englishman, Defoe said: “I played under Sven (Goran Eriksson), Capello. Not once did I ever think, ‘Capello is Italian’. I just thought, ‘This is Fabio Capello.’ This guy’s come in with this presence. His CV spoke for itself and the players and the clubs that he’d managed. I thought, ‘This is the best man, one of the best out there, hopefully, we can win with him in charge’.”

Tottenham fans will love what Tim Sherwood has said about the club’s chances of lifting the Europa League, with the former Spurs manager making a big claim about what winning the trophy will mean for Ange Postecoglou.

Ange Postecoglou has continued to double down on his assertion that he always wins trophies in his second season at clubs, and the Australian will certainly be breathing easier after Thursday’s results.

Tottenham delivered a professional performance to overcome AZ Alkmaar and seal progression to the final eight of the Europa League, where they will go up against Eintracht Frankfurt.

The excitement is understandably growing among the Spurs fan base as the supporters realise that the club are now just two steps away from a huge final in Bilbao.

Tim Sherwood speaks on Tottenham’s Europa League chances

Sherwood is optimistic that Spurs can shut up their critics by going all the way in the Europa League, with the pundit admitting that he has a ‘sneaky feeling’ that his former club may end their trophy drought over the coming months.

The former Tottenham interim head coach suggested that the club would build a statue of Postecoglou outside the stadium if he delivers the trophy.

Sherwood told Foot Italia: “If Spurs win the Europa League, there’ll be a statue of Ange Postecoglou outside the club. I say that because he would’ve delivered on his mandate of winning a trophy – and they’ll qualify for the Champions League for next season in the process.

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“It would also be a massive win for the club off the pitch, on the recruitment side of things. Players looking for a new club will warm to Spurs in the transfer window if they’re offered Champions League football. They’ve got magnificent facilities, a great stadium, and for offensive players it’s a great prospect because you’ve got a manager who wants to play on the front foot – everything is going for them.

“However, for that all to happen, they must win this competition. I think they will win it; I have a sneaky feeling that they’ll go and lift the trophy. If they don’t, it could be a very difficult few months for everyone involved at Spurs. It will be a very hostile environment at the club if they come away empty-handed this season.”

Tottenham have long-since had a no-statue policy around the stadium, even for legendary players like Jimmy Greaves.

Postecoglou and the Tottenham players will not be getting carried away

There is still a long way to go before Spurs can dream about another cup final, with the Lilywhites having a tough passage to San Mames.

Frankfurt look as formidable a side as any left in the competition and beating them will not be easy, particularly with the second leg in Germany.

Postecoglou will not want his players to keep their feet on the ground and focus on one challenge at a time.

Joe Hart may not have set the world alight during his playing days for Tottenham Hotspur but the Spurs faithful are now calling to see more of the former England shot-stopper.

Commentary on Europa League games can often feel dull, uninspiring, or even biased, with certain pundits taking digs at Tottenham Hotspur or failing to bring much-needed energy to the broadcast.

It is a common frustration among Spurs fans, who have had to endure countless matches where the analysis feels predetermined rather than reactive to the actual game.

Spurs’ Thursday night’s clash against AZ Alkmaar, however, offered something different. Joe Hart was on co-commentary duty, and for once, Tottenham supporters were treated to a breath of fresh air.

Not only does Hart have a deep understanding of the modern game, but he also has first-hand experience with Spurs and their current manager, Ange Postecoglou.

His insight brought a new dynamic to the coverage, something that immediately resonated with the fanbase.

Following his impressive performance in the booth, we took to social media to gauge the opinions of Spurs fans, and the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Many agreed that the former England goalkeeper was a class act behind the mic.

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One fan summed it up perfectly: “He actually tried to cover the game as it played out, insight and analysis at the right times. No agenda or pre-planned inputs.”

Another supporter pointed out just how rare it is to hear a balanced perspective: “It’s just so rare for someone to be remotely positive about Spurs on comms.”

A different take came from a fan who highlighted why Hart’s analysis stood out: “When playing, keepers see more of the game than strikers and therefore are often better match commentators.”

Noel Murray added: “He’s been very good as a pundit anytime I’ve seen him, very thorough and level-headed, also seems like a very likeable bloke.”

Jamie Golding echoed the sentiment: “Thought exactly the same. Modern views, spot on and some passion!”

Joe Hart’s experience shines through in punditry

Joe Hart has always been a top professional, and his quality as a leader was evident throughout his playing career, whether with England, Manchester City, or under Ange Postecoglou at Celtic.

His vast experience in the beautiful game gives him a unique perspective, allowing him to provide intelligent, engaging analysis without unnecessary bias or stale narratives. It was a real pleasure to listen to. More of that, please, TNT!

Spurs have a Premier League showdown against the Cottagers up next following their 3-1 Europa League win on Thursday. Let’s take a look at how you can watch Fulham vs Tottenham on Sunday, including predictions and team news.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in Premier League action and will be looking to bounce back in domestic football after successfully dispatching AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

Their league fate is more or less sealed given their lowly position in the table, but there is still pride at stake in this London derby.

Spurs will be keen to take all three points after their last meeting with Fulham ended in a stalemate.

A win here would see Spurs move absolutely nowhere, given that they are stuck in 13th. Meanwhile, Marco Silva’s men have their eyes on closing the gap on fifth-placed Manchester City, adding an extra edge to this fixture.

When and where is the game?

The Premier League clash will take place at Craven Cottage on Sunday, 16 March 2025. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30 PM UK time.

How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham in the UK

For fans in the UK, the match will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

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Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham team news

Ange Postecoglou still has some injury concerns to deal with. Dejan Kulusevski is out with a foot problem, Radu Dragusin remains sidelined with an ACL injury, while Richarlison is a doubt for this clash.

Kevin Danso is also nursing a hamstring injury. Lucas Bergvall was an injury scare, but Postecoglou has since confirmed Bergvall is fit. Spurs’ injured players are expected to return after the international break.

As for Fulham, Sasa Lukic is suspended, and the team is also dealing with a few fitness concerns. Adama Traoré is doubtful with an ankle injury, while Harry Wilson is sidelined with a foot injury.

Kenny Tete and Reiss Nelson are both nursing injuries, with the former suffering a knee issue and the latter dealing with a hamstring problem.

Spurs Web prediction

It is a London derby, and Tottenham need to show some fire and fight. However, with their midweek commitment against AZ Alkmaar, fans may need to temper their expectations.

This is also the last match before the international break, so it could turn out to be a rather cagey affair.