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Spurs boss under fire but can take heart from plenty of examples of clubs defying poor domestic campaigns to succeed in Europe

Crunch clash: Tottenham’s Europa League fate could have a pivotal say in Ange Postecoglou’s future at the club

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Dan Kilpatrick @ Dan_KP2 minutes ago

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick

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Ange Postecoglou was in a belligerent mood in the build-up to Tottenham's judgement day against Eintracht Frankfurt, striking out at the club's critics for wanting to "turn gold into crap" and claiming the "general sentiment" is that he will be sacked even if Spurs win the Europa League.

Postecoglou's comments followed his claim last week that not enough voices are speaking out in defence of Spurs and suggest the Australian is feeling the pressure - or perhaps trying to foster a siege mentality - ahead of the quarter-final, on which the club's season depends.

Spurs are on course for a historically poor Premier League campaign, which goes a long way to explaining the "negative" view of their season which has so frustrated Postecoglou, and the question ahead of Thursday's first leg in north London is whether his side can raise their levels in Europe.

The return of Spurs' injured players has done little to improve their performances in the league, though they did enough to relegate sorry Southampton on Sunday, and their record of 16 defeats in 31 matches this term has left Postecoglou under intense pressure and fearing for his job.

Spurs have increasingly looked like a team less than the sum of its parts and prone to demonstrating the worst flaws of Postecoglou's high-risk approach - a lack of control, openness and difficulty in creating chances - without any of the upsides.

Spurs, though, have long since written off the top-flight and Postecoglou can take comfort from the fact that Europe has so often offered unconvincing teams a respite from a difficult league season.

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There are plenty of examples of clubs who have saved themselves for European matches, including Spurs on their own run to the Champions League final in 2019, when they came through games against Barcelona, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Ajax, only to lose heartbreakingly to Liverpool in Madrid.

That year, Mauricio Pochettino's side limped over the finish line in the Premier League, winning only two of their final 12 top-flight matches.

There is even a case that Spurs do not need to dramatically improve to win the Europa League, just raise their intensity in bursts when it really matters.

Again, there are countless sides who have gone all the way in Europe without ever seeming to play especially well; Real Madrid are the most obvious example in the Champions League - at least before Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, which has added even more pressure to Spurs on Thursday.

English clubs tend to have a financial advantage over practically every opponent in the Europa League - a dynamic true of Spurs and Frankfurt - and Premier League teams who take the competition seriously usually do well, going right back to Fulham in 2010 and Middlesbrough in 2006.

In their last-16 second leg against AZ Alkmaar, Spurs demonstrated that they could win comfortably, without producing a complete performance. They were middling for periods of the game, notably at 2-0, but managed to step it up with a brilliant third goal, which stands as the best example of 'Ange-ball' this season.

If they stay in the game against Frankfurt, and then turn up the tempo in devastating spells, as they so often did in Postecoglou's first season in charge, it may be enough to get them through and past Bodo/Glimt or Lazio in the semi-finals, too.

Frankfurt, who sit third in the Bundesliga, should pose a significantly sterner challenge than AZ, particularly at their deafening home ground next week - increasing the urgency for Spurs to get a result at home.

Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner is the latest Premier League boss to be linked with the Tottenham job

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They also have history in this competition, having won the Europa League under Oliver Glasner in 2022. The Crystal Palace boss, who has said he will visit his former club on the eve of the match, was the latest coach to be linked with Postecoglou's job on Wednesday, perhaps explaining the Australian's mood.

Frankfurt are likely to set up to frustrate Spurs and will be happy to counter-punch in north London, a strategy which has proven effective at stopping Postecoglou's side in the past.

The Spurs head coach is unlikely to spring many surprises in his XI but faces a choice between Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert on the right of the front three. Odobert's dribbling and unpredictability can help to unlock tight defences and he scored twice in the decider against AZ in a standout display.

Johnson, though, is Spurs' top scorer with 16 goals in all competitions this season, and Postecoglou suggested that he has always been first choice in the position. Micky van de Ven will return at centre-back, leaving Postecoglou with nearly his strongest XI available, barring Dejan Kulusevski (foot).

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Ange Postecoglou tonight has a key decision to make in attack as Tottenham take on Eintracht Frankfurt in a season-defining Europa League quarter-final.

Wilson Odobert scored twice in the decisive 3-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the last round but right-wing rival Brennan Johnson, who joined Postecoglou at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, bagged a brace in Sunday's victory against Southampton by the same scoreline.

Johnson has scored 16 times in all competitions this season and his end-product may give him the edge over the Frenchman, whose "unique" qualities are valued by the head coach.

Elsewhere, Postecoglou's XI for tonight’s first leg is easier to predict, with Micky van de Ven set to return at centre-back for Ben Davies after being rested against Saints.

Pedro Porro, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie are competing for two spots at full-back, with the Italian seemingly most likely to miss out again after struggling for form since returning from injury.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall have established themselves as Postecoglou's preferred midfield two, edging ahead of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Archie Gray in the pecking order.

James Maddison is set to start a third game in a week at No.10, with Dejan Kulusevski (foot) still missing.

Heung-min Son and Dominic Solanke will surely make up the front three, with Mikey Moore, Richarlison and Mathys Tel likely to be among the subs.

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Ange Postecoglou will know this competition is boom or bust for Spurs, and likely his job, as they look to not only navigate past the German outfit but lift the trophy in May.

Spurs have produced some of their better performances in the Europa League this season but will know the same can be said for Frankfurt, who sit third in the Bundesliga.

It is the biggest game of the season so far for Spurs, with next week’s second leg likely topping it, and anything less than a win will pile even more pressure on Postecoglou.

Tottenham's injury woes of the last few months are almost behind them, but they will still be without Dejan Kulusevski, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin for Thursday's first leg. It remains to be seen if Kulusevski and Danso will be fit for next week's second leg, but Dragusin is out for the rest of the season.

Spurs will be able to call upon Rodrigo Bentancur, who has served a one-game Europa League ban, while Micky van den Ven and Destiny Udogie are expected to start after being rested at the weekend. Ange Postecoglou has a few decisions to make in attack, namely who starts on the right wing between Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert

Frankfurt will have second-choice goalkeeper Kaua Santos in goal as Kevin Trapp has failed to recover from injury. Elye Wahi is also sideline, but Igor Matanovic is back in contention after two months out.

Striker Hugo Ekitike is the big danger for the Bundesliga side, after Omar Marmoush left for Manchester City in January, and he will be supported by Mario Gotze, who is now 32 years old but still a potent threat from midfield.

Tottenham prepared for this game with a lacklustre 3-1 win over Southampton, which saw them not needing to exert much energy - or attempt to do so. It remains to be seen if they can glean any momentum from the result, but the come fit and firing for the visit of Frankfurt.

Frankfurt's form has certainly taken a knock since Marmoush's exit, they have won just five of 13 games since his move was confirmed, but their Europa League form continues to impress. This will be a tight tie over two legs, with Spurs to edge the first in front of their own fans.

The German side travel to north London on Thursday night for the first leg of a high-profile quarter-final tie that could prove important in terms of under-fire manager Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs future.

But they will do so without influential first-choice goalkeeper and club captain Kevin Trapp, who will play no part in the contest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Frankfurt have confirmed that their long-term No1 is still out injured and will be replaced in Dino Toppmoller’s Europa League squad by veteran third-choice ‘keeper Jens Grahl following a request to UEFA to temporarily update their ‘A list’.

That will mean that 21-year-old Brazilian Kaua Santos - a 2023 arrival from Flamengo - should retain the starting job in goal for Frankfurt against Tottenham, having impressed while deputising for Trapp in 11 appearances across all competitions so far this season including the last four games in a row.

Trapp has played 31 times in total this term but not since the 2-1 home Bundesliga defeat by Union Berlin on March 9 having been struggling with a shin injury and was not deemed fit enough to return for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat away at Werder Bremen having only been able to partake in partial training last week.

German publication Bild reported on Monday that the 34-year-old could yet be added to the Frankfurt squad ahead of next week’s home second leg against Tottenham if he can prove his fitness in time.

Trapp, who has nine senior international caps for Germany, has made 378 appearances for Frankfurt across two spells at Deutsche Bank Park, having initially joined from Kaiserslautern in 2012 and then returned - initially on loan - in 2018 following three years with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Along with their usual starting goalkeeper, Frankfurt are also without injured forward Elye Wahi against Tottenham, as well as winger Ansgar Knauff and former USA defender Timothy Chandler. However, defender Nnamdi Collins and striker Igor Matanovic are both back and could be joined by teenage midfielder Can Uzun.

Tottenham will still be missing injured duo Kevin Danso and Dejan Kulusevski for the first leg plus long-term absentee Radu Dragusin, though Rodrigo Bentancur is available in midfield after missing the last-16 second-leg comeback against AZ Alkmaar last month through suspension.

Brennan Johnson's first-half double put the hosts in control but Saints rallied after the break, and deservedly halved the deficit in the 90th-minute through Mateus Fernandes' strike.

There was still time for Johnson to be fouled by Welington in the box, earning a 94th-minute spot-kick, but the Wales winger was denied the chance at a hat-trick, with substitute Mathys Tel converting from the spot instead.

Unfortunate to be ruled marginally offside by the VAR for a disallowed goal by Lucas Bergvall.

Deputised solidly for Micky van de Ven but will surely return to the bench on Thursday.

Made the opening goal for Johnson with a smart overlapping run. Outnumbered at the far post for Fernandes' goal -- a consequence of the tactics rather than his own shortcomings.

Got into some more dangerous positions than usual, including ahead of the second goal.

Unlucky to have a goal ruled out for a tight offside against Romero.

Made the second goal with a header into Johnson's pass. Some of his passing was eye-catching.

Took both of his goals well, potentially giving Ange Postecoglou a selection dilemma for Frankfurt.

Had an effort blocked after a lively counter. Withdrawn before the hour to save his legs.

No chance to make an impact as Spurs sat back.

Pedro Porro, who was given a rare rest for the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, continues at right-back, while Ben Davies deputises for Micky van de Ven at centre-half.

Yves Bissouma has been replaced at half-time in three of his last five starts, so Lucas Bergvall, who only played an hour against the Blues, continues at No6.

Postecoglou remains without Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Kevin Danso (hamstring) and Radu Dragusin (knee) but said he had no fresh injury concerns after a 16th defeat of the league season at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

Asked if he would rotate at Saints, who Spurs beat 5-0 at St. Mary's in December, Postecoglou said: "To a certain extent, we are a little bit beyond that as the group is in a decent place physically where I don’t have to get players gametime.

"As I said, it is about getting some momentum leading into the game on Thursday. We will make a couple of changes but we won’t make too many."

Under fire Spurs must avoid huge slip-up against sorry Saints

Tottenham play Southampton later today

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Tottenham vs Southampton – LIVE

Spurs today host Southampton in the Premier League. Ange Postecoglou is under increasing pressure in north London after Thursday’s loss at Chelsea made it 16 defeats for the season thus far. While the Europa League is the only thing left to play for this season, Postecoglou cannot afford what would be an embarrassing slip-up today.

Indeed, Saints have endured a thoroughly miserable campaign and are still yet to amass the points required to beat Derby County’s all-time Premier League points record of 11. Still, they earned a draw against Crystal Palace last time out and have little to lose ahead of their trip to Spurs later today.

While all eyes at Tottenham will no doubt be on Thursday’s huge first-leg clash against Eintracht Frankfurt, the idea of losing to this Southampton side is not worth considering for X. Follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog! Dan Kilpatrick will be providing expert analysis from the ground.

Tottenham vs Southampton latest news

Ange Postecoglou has himself to blame as actions risk losing Tottenham fans previously focused on Daniel Levy

An all-too-familiar result at Stamford Bridge on Thursday changed little for the outlook of Tottenham's season – they are still 14th in the table, still relying on the Europa League to salvage their miserable campaign – but Ange Postecoglou's clash with supporters was a significant moment.

Postecoglou has denied he was goading fans when he cupped his ear towards the away end after substitute Pape Matar Sarr, whose introduction for Lucas Bergvall was jeered by sections of the travelling fans, thought he had equalised in the 70th-minute – only for the goal to be ruled out on the advice of the VAR.

Read the full story here!

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Tottenham vs Southampton: Head to head (h2h) history and results

Tottenham wins: 46

Draw: 22

Southampton wins: 27

Ange Postecoglou in difficult position with little to gain as Tottenham look to avoid Southampton banana skin

Tottenham's home game against Southampton on Sunday is a potential banana skin with no obvious upsides for Ange Postecoglou's struggling team.

Postecoglou has billed the game as a valuable chance for Spurs to build momentum ahead of the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday -- on which their season and probably his job depend -- but, Saints are such a sorry outfit that even thrashing them is unlikely to significantly change the mood music in north London.

Read Dan Kilpatrick’s full preview here!

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Tottenham vs Southampton: Why isn't Premier League game live on TV in UK today?

The game is being played at 2pm BST on Sunday, so does not fall within the blackout rules imposed across English football on a Saturday at 3pm.

But it has not been selected for live coverage by Sky Sports, who are instead showing Fulham vs Liverpool followed by Manchester United vs Manchester City at Old Trafford.

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Tottenham vs Southampton: Premier League score prediction today

It can be tricky to bet on Spurs this season as their results have been somewhat unpredictable (see January’s 2-1 loss to Leicester), but it is near impossible to justify putting any money behind Southampton.

The squad will recognize the now-or-never nature of the game. Ahead of next week’s season-defining Europa League tie, there could be no better preparation than a straightforward, confidence-boosting league win. Southampton should not pose too much of a threat to the Lilywhites.

Prediction: Tottenham 4-0 Southampton.

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Southampton team news vs Tottenham today

Ivan Juric has not had an easy time since replacing Russell Martin at Southampton, though injuries have not been too big an issue. He has just one player out for Sunday as Will Smallbone recovers from a groin injury.

Midfielder Flynn Downes will miss out as he serves a two-match suspension. He picked up a tenth booking of the season in last week’s home draw to Crystal Palace.

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Tottenham team news vs Southampton today

Ange Postecoglou is expected to make changes against Southampton ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

Micky van de Ven, Heung-min Son and James Maddison are likely to be rested and Djed Spence could also be saved for Frankfurt after a recent bout of illness.

Pedro Porro, who was given a rare rest for the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, is likely to return to the side at right-back, while Ben Davies could deputise for Van de Ven at centre-half.

Yves Bissouma has been replaced at half-time in three of his last five starts, so Lucas Bergvall, who only played an hour against the Blues, may continue at No6, with Pape Matar Sarr also likely to start.

Son could be replaced by Brennan Johnson or Mathys Tel in the front three, although Mikey Moore is also pushing for minutes and Richarlison is set to return to the squad after a muscle injury.

Postecoglou remains without Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Kevin Danso (hamstring) and Radu Dragusin (knee) but said he had no fresh injury concerns after a 16th defeat of the league season at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

Asked if he would rotate at Saints, who Spurs beat 5-0 at St. Mary's in December, Postecoglou said: "To a certain extent, we are a little bit beyond that as the group is in a decent place physically where I don’t have to get players gametime.

"As I said, it is about getting some momentum leading into the game on Thursday. We will make a couple of changes but we won’t make too many."

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Tottenham vs Southampton: TV channel and live stream for Premier League today

TV channel: In the UK, the game is not due to be televised live.

Live stream: Fans can follow radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at the ground.

Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights post-match, with Match of the Day 2 broadcasting on BBC One at 10:30pm.

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Welcome

Good morning and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham’s Premier League clash against Southampton.

Kick-off from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is at 2pm BST.

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Postecoglou’s men will look to build confidence ahead of Thursday’s Europa League outing

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Arthur Ferridge1 minute ago

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham return to Premier League action on Sunday as they host rock-bottom Southampton.

Ange Postecoglou is under more pressure than ever after losing to rivals Chelsea last time out, leaving Spurs winless in four.

A win for the hosts will be crucial as the Australian looks to rescue his relationship with the club and its supporters, and would also set the tone as Spurs prepare for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

Southampton are rock bottom of the Premier League and have lost 10 of their last 12 matches. Now 19 points adrift of safety, they could be relegated today.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game...

Date, kick-off time and venue

Tottenham vs Southampton is scheduled for a 2pm BST kick-off on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

The match will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Where to watch Tottenham vs Southampton

TV channel: In the UK, the game is not due to be televised live.

Live stream: Fans can follow radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at the ground.

Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights post-match, with Match of the Day 2 broadcasting on BBC One at 10:30pm.

Tottenham vs Southampton team news

Postecoglou’s side has been ravaged by injury this year, but the storm seems to be breaking of late. Brazilian forward Richarlison is back in full team training and could make the squad against the Saints, but Dejan Kulusevski and Kevin Danso remain unavailable.

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Radu Dragusin is out for the season as he recovers from an ACL injury.

Ivan Juric has not had an easy time since replacing Russell Martin at Southampton, though injuries have not been too big an issue. He has just one player out for Sunday as Will Smallbone recovers from a groin injury.

Midfielder Flynn Downes will miss out as he serves a two-match suspension. He picked up a tenth booking of the season in last week’s home draw to Crystal Palace.

Key man: Tottenham were without Dejan Kulusevski against Chelsea

AP

Tottenham vs Southampton prediction

It can be tricky to bet on Spurs this season as their results have been somewhat unpredictable (see January’s 2-1 loss to Leicester), but it is near impossible to justify putting any money behind Southampton.

The squad will recognize the now-or-never nature of the game. Ahead of next week’s season-defining Europa League tie, there could be no better preparation than a straightforward, confidence-boosting league win. Southampton should not pose too much of a threat to the Lilywhites.

Tottenham 4-0 Southampton

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Tottenham wins: 46

Draw: 22

Southampton wins: 27

Tottenham vs Southampton match odds

Tottenham win: 4/11

Draw: 4/1

Southampton win: 13/2

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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Ange Postecoglou is expected to make changes against Southampton ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

Micky van de Ven, Heung-min Son and James Maddison are likely to be rested and Djed Spence could also be saved for Frankfurt after a recent bout of illness.

Pedro Porro, who was given a rare rest for the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, is likely to return to the side at right-back, while Ben Davies could deputise for Van de Ven at centre-half.

Yves Bissouma has been replaced at half-time in three of his last five starts, so Lucas Bergvall, who only played an hour against the Blues, may continue at No6, with Pape Matar Sarr also likely to start.

Son could be replaced by Brennan Johnson or Mathys Tel in the front three, although Mikey Moore is also pushing for minutes and Richarlison is set to return to the squad after a muscle injury.

Postecoglou remains without Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Kevin Danso (hamstring) and Radu Dragusin (knee) but said he had no fresh injury concerns after a 16th defeat of the league season at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

Asked if he would rotate at Saints, who Spurs beat 5-0 at St. Mary's in December, Postecoglou said: "To a certain extent, we are a little bit beyond that as the group is in a decent place physically where I don’t have to get players gametime.

"As I said, it is about getting some momentum leading into the game on Thursday. We will make a couple of changes but we won’t make too many."