Football London

Tottenham will be red-hot favourites to beat Southampton on Sunday but things don't always run so smoothly for Ange Postecoglou's men. That was very much the case earlier in the campaign when relegation-threatened Ipswich Town and Leicester City won at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham have to ensure that they don't suffer another home defeat against a team on course to be relegated to the Championship, with Saints in danger of becoming the worst team in Premier League history. Following Thursday night's defeat at Chelsea, Postecoglou will make changes to his Spurs XI as he looks to give those on the edge of the team minutes.

Tottenham will of course have one eye on next Thursday's Europa League quarter-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt given the importance of it. However, they cannot afford to take their eye off the ball having already suffered 16 defeats in 30 Premier League fixtures this term.

Rotation is likely to be in order on Sunday, although the boss has already admitted that he won't make too many changes. Players such as Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence, James Maddison and Son Heung-min could possibly miss out on the team as Postecoglou will not want to push his key players too much with a European fixture to come.

So how exactly will Tottenham line up? You can find out our predicted team for the Southampton game below:

Tottenham will be attempting to end the week on a positive note as they prepare for next Thursday's Europa League showdown against Eintracht Frankfurt. Losing at Chelsea during the week, Ange Postecoglou's side now have Southampton to come in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

It would appear to be the perfect fixture for Tottenham heading into next week's European encounter due to Saints' position at the foot of the Premier League table. However, Spurs have already lost at home against current bottom three clubs Ipswich Town and Leicester City this season and they will not want to fall victim to another relegation-threatened side.

With such a huge game on the horizon in the Europa League on Thursday evening, Postecoglou will make alterations but he did admit in his pre-match press conference that he will not rotate too much. So who should be in his side to face Southampton? Our Tottenham writers at football.london have had their say below:

Rob Guest - Football writer

It's all about getting the balance right for Ange Postecoglou as the seven changes he made for the Fulham game three days after beating AZ Alkmaar was way too many. He has already admitted he won't rotate too much this time, but it is very likely that some key players will be given a breather rather than pushing them too much.

Micky van de Ven should be one of those players, with Djed Spence, James Maddison and Son Heung-min perhaps the others to drop out of the side. It would be a surprise if Pedro Porro didn't come into the team and Archie Gray may win the battle over Ben Davies to start alongside Cristian Romero.

In midfield, Pape Matar Sarr must start after a lively cameo against Chelsea on Thursday night. Brennan Johnson, who also entered the fray at the same time, is also selected and operates from the right and Mathys Tel should be given a go on the opposite flank.

Guest's team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Gray, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Tel.

Lee Wilmot - Head of football

It's all about the Europa League for Tottenham, it has been for many weeks now.

But, having given Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town their first three points this season it would not do to be the side that ensures Southampton move above that dreaded 11-point record set by Derby County.

Guglielmo Vicario should have Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie as his full-backs, with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero as the centre-backs.

Pape Matar Sarr plays alongside Lucas Bergvall, with James Maddison just ahead of them. Then, on the wings, I'd play Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel, with Dominic Solanke up front.

Wilmot's team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bergvall, Maddison; Tel, Solanke, Odobert.

Spurs' selection choices vs Chelsea, key player fitness & the loan latest - click here to listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham suffered another defeat in a London derby, against Chelsea, with a controversial gesture towards some supporters aggravating their disappointment at Stamford Bridge - and even some diehard Postecoglou fans in football.london'scomments section admit the tide is turning against the Australian manager.

Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez headed home the only goal of the game in the 50th minute, with Spurs' attacks rarely producing much of a threat. VAR would end up producing one of the bigger stories of the game, as a Pape Matar Sarr goal from long-range was chalked off for a foul on Moises Caicedo.

After Sarr's goal, Postecoglou cupped his ears at the away fans - which he would later say was in an effort to get the crowd cheering for hise team. The manager was in disbelief when the VAR results returned, while that gesture irked many in the crowd and those watching on TV.

Speaking after the game, he said: "Jesus mate, it's incredible how things get interpreted. We'd just scored, I just wanted to hear them cheer. Because we'd been through a tough time, and I thought it was a cracking goal. I wanted them to get really excited. I felt at that point we could potentially go on and win the game, and I just felt momentum was on our [side].

"It doesn't bother me, it's not the first time they've booed my substitutions or my decisions - that's fine - they're allowed to do that. But we'd just scored a goal, just scored an equaliser, I was just hoping we could get some excitement. If people want to read into it that, somehow, I'm trying to make a point about something, like I said, we'd been through a tough time, but I just felt that there was a bit of a momentum shift there. If they get really behind the lads, I thought we had the momentum to finish on top of them."

The events of the game haven't done Postecoglou many favours, at least according to some readers. Commenter Jeffc00p says: "Considering this was virtually a full-strength team, they looked like they'd only just met in the car park before the game - and there was a total lack of cohesion and effort. As for [Dominic] Solanke, irrespective of the admittedly poor service he gets, he's never in the right place in the penalty area when the ball comes in.

"On this form and with this manager, we haven't got hope winning the Europa League. But could Ryan Mason or another do any better? Well, it would be tough to do worse!"

Reader Totty2 adds: "I agree, but please please not Mason. We're shot as a side and we need a proper injection of funds and a new manager and owners. That way we may get quality, not schoolboys. The club needs proper squad depth and [Daniel] Levy doesn't like spending money. Let's get the manager sorted."

NCSpur wouldn't make an immediate move, though. "Well, this match turned the corner for me. No way we are producing some Europa magic. This season is shot and only mathematics keeps Spurs up. Firing Ange only perpetuates the constant paying off of managers to get them to leave. Save some dough and keep him until the summer.

"Levy ain't spending more on wages or changing his investment in the football club so get used to what will be a lower table team going forward."

Ttid1965 writes: "Ange reminds me of [Antonio] Conte now, saying things to try and get sacked..."

Jaeheeh says: "The cupping ear gesture was a bit silly, but I get the pressure the poor man is feeling. Mourinho and Conte, proven serial winners, both struggled from the trophy-drought pressure and gave up midway, so I really feel for Ange. He's a winner, but he needs some help."

Bige60 writes: "I am an Australian. I love Ange... but the team plays with zero conviction in my opinion. That was a game like many others, that was there to win. They seem to lack belief in the moments that matter. Change things up a little or you need to go Ange."

It just does not get any better for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur. Another trip to Stamford Bridge, another defeat.

That's 16 defeats in 30 Premier League games this season - a truly abysmal statistic.

Postecoglou's job as Spurs head coach is hanging by a thread. You have to think that the only reason he has not been sacked is because of the Europa League quarter-final coming in the next two weeks.

Although, look at what Daniel Levy did to Jose Mourinho, and even the prospect of a piece of silverware is not normally enough to save a manager.

Plenty of bosses, not just in N17 but beyond, have been sacked for far less than Postecoglou.

It really has been a season to forget and while the head coach and the players may cling to the fact that they can still achieve "something special" this season, it is hard to see how.

Tottenham were not bad against Chelsea, but they were not good either. And that's something that can be said about the Lilywhites on too many occasions this season.

Spurs could have got something out of the game but didn't. But we're once again talking about coulds rather than shoulds.

It's Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League in the first leg next Thursday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the return leg a week later.

The German side are third in the Bundesliga and have won their last two league games and three in all competitions.

Tottenham are 14th in the Premier League. The Germans will be favourites, no doubt about that.

Postecoglou claims he does not care what people do or think and that criticism does not affect him. He may claim that cupping his ear to the fans on Thursday night, after Pape Matar Sarr had scored what turned out to be a disallowed goal, was simply asking the fans to get behind the team, but it was certainly interpreted differently to that by everyone watching.

Ryan Mason's name has been trending on social media platforms and on Google. Mauricio Pochettino's name continues to be linked with Spurs while Andoni Iraola links do not go away.

Tottenham are at full-strength now, bar Dejan Kulusevski, and the injury excuses have dried up. Postecoglou may well be given the Europa League to prove himself and try and win a trophy, finally, for Tottenham.

But there is an argument that he should not be afforded that opportunity now.

Postecoglou and the players are right, this car crash of a season can be saved with "something special" but someone else at the helm looks more likely to deliver that than the Australian right now.

Ange Postecoglou is speaking to the media ahead of Tottenham's Premier League encounter against Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs were in action in the Premier League on Thursday evening but they fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Chelsea.

It was another familiar story for the Lilywhites at Stamford Bridge as they created very few chances and ended up on the losing side once again.

Postecoglou will be asked about the defeat to the Blues and his future given the huge amount of pressure he is under right now.

The Australian will also provide an update on injury news and preview Sunday's crucial league fixture at home to Southampton.

Former Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks has announced that he has become a father, just a matter of minutes after it was revealed that he has been axed from the Leicester squad.

Winks, 29, who left Spurs to join the East Midlands club for £10million in July 2023, played a major role as the Foxes returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking. He started in all-but one of their 46 Championship matches last season as they lifted the second-tier title.

However, Winks' game time has reduced since Leicester's return to the Premier League. He started the season as a firm fixture in their starting XI but dropped out the side after suffering a groin injury in November.

Winks was back in the fold for the trip to Liverpool on Boxing Day and started seven matches in a row before being dropped for the visit of Arsenal in February.

He has since not started a single game, and after three cameo appearances against West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester United, he was left out of the squad for the trip to Manchester City on Wednesday.

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy didn't even name Winks on the bench and the reason for his omission has since been revealed. According to The Telegraph, the 10-cap England international was not included in the travelling contingent because refused to compromise on his 100-mile commute.

It's added that Van Nistelrooy was involved in a heated confrontation with Winks over the international break after he declined a request to stay overnight one day a week at the club's training ground.

Winks, who is said to be one of three players to travel more than 90 miles a day to Seagrave in north Leicestershire, is thought to have his own private reasons for commuting every day to training.

But Van Nistelrooy reacted angrily to what he felt was ill-discipline and excluded Winks from the squad for the trip to the Etihad Stadium. It's unclear, at this stage, if Winks will return for the visit of Newcastle on Monday.

Less than an hour after the report emerged that he was axed from the Leicester squad, Winks posted an exciting announcement on his Instagram account, confirming that he has become a father.

Alongside an image of his newborn, Winks posted the date of birth - 12 March 2025 - as the caption on the post. Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk and forward Stephy Mavididi were among those to congratulate Winks, with the duo both commenting with a love heart emoji.

Winks later liked another comment which read: "This is why u don't want to commute that's media for u."

It's clear the situation at Leicester is damning at the moment and Van Nistelrooy is trying to instil discipline in the squad for the remaining eight fixtures. The Foxes are on a terrible run right now, having lost 14 of their last 15 Premier League games, and failing to score in any of their last seven.

At home, the Foxes haven't scored a single league goal since December 8, and last tasted victory in any competition on January 26 when they ran out 2-1 winners at Winks' former club Tottenham.

They sit 19th in the Premier League table on 17 points from their 30 fixtures and look destined to return to the Championship. The Foxes sit 12 points behind Wolves in 17th with 24 to play for.

Considering Van Nistelrooy's side have picked up just seven points since he replaced Steve Cooper as the club's new head coach in November, it looks like a very tall order.

Ange Postecoglou is speaking to the media following Tottenham's 1-0 Premier League defeat against Chelsea on Thursday evening.

Losing at Fulham in their previous Premier League encounter, the Spurs boss made a host of changes to his team for the London derby clash as Micky van de Ven was handed a start.

The Dutchman was involved in the action inside the first minute of the contest as his clearance hit Nicolas Jackson and cannoned off the post.

Chelsea did have a number of chances in the first half and Guglielmo Vicario was needed to stop Destiny Udogie putting the ball through his own net and to tip Jadon Sancho's effort over.

The hosts did take the lead shortly after the break through Enzo Fernandez's header, with Moises Caicedo then seeing a fine volley disallowed for offside by VAR.

Tottenham were themselves to be denied by VAR later in the second half as Pape Matar Sarr was deemed to have fouled Caicedo on his way to scoring from distance.

They did go close to an equaliser in the last minute but Sanchez was on hand to stop Son Heung-min converting from close range.

Our Spurs correspondent Rob Guest is at Stamford Bridge and is among those putting the questions to the head coach. Scroll down for the latest updates from the press conference.

Long balls and Jackson's performance

We already had nine months and until the day I will be here, I will tell you our game plan depends on the opposition. Tonight we used more balls in behind because of Tottenham, the way they defend. Nico is an important player, off the ball he is pressing everyone and for sure, with Nico, we are in a different team.

Probably, I just said to the players, we don't work every day to play how we do in the final 10 minutes, with them having the ball. But you need to learn to win like this as well. It has been my mistake, I did the change before the added time and then I realised it was too early when I saw 12 minutes.

The win

Very important. We know how important it is to win games. The performance was very good and we are happy. It was a different game compared to before the international break. The four games before, they sit back but Tottenham is a different type of game and for us, some way better.

Player ratings

While we wait for Enzo Maresca to come and speak to us, why not have a look at Bobby Vincent's player ratings from Chelsea's crucial win over Tottenham?

One Blues player was world-class...

Read more here.

Welcome, Blues!

Hello and welcome to football.london for live coverage of Enzo Maresca's post-match press conference after Chelsea defeated Tottenham by a goal to nil at Stamford Bridge.

Wow. Another action-packed game between the Blues and Spurs. Not as many goals as earlier in the season, but no less dramatic.

We will hear what Maresca thought of the game very soon.

Tottenham's nightmare Premier League season continued on Thursday evening as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Chelsea. In Spurs' first game since losing 2-0 at Fulham, Ange Postecoglou made a total of five changes to his team as Micky van de Ven came in to partner Cristian Romero at the heart of defence.

Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert and Son Heung-min also returned to the XI after starting on the bench at Fulham prior to the international break. Spurs almost found themselves 1-0 down inside the first minute as Van de Ven's clearance from close range struck Nicolas Jackson and hit the post.

Chelsea went close again on 18 minutes as Guglielmo Vicario was needed to stop the ball creeping over the line after Destiny Udogie had produced some fine defending to stop Enzo Fernandez finishing off Cole Palmer's cross. The visitors did get into some good positions as the first half wore on but the final action was missing to force Robert Sanchez into any real saves.

Vicario, on the other hand, was required to tip over Jadon Sancho's shot on the cusp of half-time with the winger looking certain to net. The Blues did go on to open the scoring five minutes after the restart as Fernandez was given all the space he wanted in the box to powerfully head home Palmer's cross.

Spurs got away with one not long after as Moises Caicedo netted with a stunning volley from outside the box but it was deemed offside following a VAR check. VAR then denied Spurs an equaliser as Pape Matar Sarr was adjudged to have fouled Caicedo prior to netting from distance.

The visitors did go close to an equaliser in the 90th minute but Sanchez saved low down to stop Son's effort on the stretch creeping in. Here's how we rated the Tottenham players in the game at Stamford Bridge:

Guglielmo Vicario

Saved well on his own line just as Udogie looked set to turn Palmer's cross into his own net and produced an even better save just prior to half-time to tip Sancho's effort over. Couldn't really do anything about Fernandez's header nor Caicedo's disallowed strike but got a good hand to a late Palmer effort. 6

Djed Spence

Up against Jadon Sancho and made life difficult for the winger at times. Very few opportunities to get forward and make an impact. 6

Cristian Romero

Troubled by Jackson on a couple of occasions as the Chelsea striker got the better of him in good areas. Was involved in the melee just before half-time and received a booking for his part in the incident. Better after the break but not at his usual level. 5

Micky van de Ven

Named alongside Romero in defence for the first time in the Premier League since December and was involved instantly as his clearance from close range struck Jackson and came off the post. Produced some well-timed tackles on a number of occasions but was drawn across to Romero and Jackson for Chelsea's opening goal as Fernandez nipped in to score with his head. It proved to be a costly error. 5

Destiny Udogie

Produced some great defending a couple of yards from goal to stop Fernandez converting Palmer's cross on 18 minutes. However, the full-back saw the Argentina international run into the box for his goal but didn't move across to cover him. Wanted a penalty for a Trevoh Chalobah handball in the second half but it wasn't given. 5

Rodrigo Bentancur

Made a couple of good breaks upfield and was one of Tottenham's better performers on the day. 6

Lucas Bergvall

Returned to the starting XI after dropping down to the bench at Fulham and Spurs were better for having him in the middle of the park. Looked to get the team moving forward and made some important tackles. Replaced just after the hour mark and his exit was met by jeers from the Spurs fans as they clearly wanted him to remain on. 6

James Maddison

Spurs needed his creativity but he saw very little of the ball to make things happen at Stamford Bridge in the first half. Was more involved towards the end of the game but nothing came off for him. 5

Wilson Odobert

Given the nod on the right flank but got very little joy down his side of the pitch. Made way as part of the double substitution after the hour mark. 5

Dominic Solanke

Worked as hard as ever but no chances on goal over the course of the game with Spurs not doing enough to get him involved in dangerous areas. 6

Son Heung-min

Barely had an impact on proceedings but got more involved towards the end of the first half and forced Sanchez to get a hand to his wicked low cross. Was to be denied by the goalkeeper in the final minute after connecting with Brennan Johnson's cross at the back post. 5

Substitutes

Brennan Johnson (Wilson Odobert, 64)

Took Odobert's place on the right wing and almost got a late assist with a lovely cross that Son nearly converted. 5

Pape Matar Sarr (Lucas Bergvall, 64)

Netted with a long distance strike but his goal was ruled out following a VAR check for a foul on Caicedo. 6

Mathys Tel (James Maddison, 88)

Came on for the final few minutes. N/A

Pedro Porro (Micky van de Ven, 88)

Given a matter of minutes at the end of the game. N/A

Spurs' selection choices vs Chelsea, key player fitness & the loan latest - click here to listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham

The Premier League have been forced to release a statement after the Video Assistant Referee ruled out a goal in Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur. Moises Caicedo thought he had doubled the Blues' lead at Stamford Bridge.

But, following a lengthy review by Jarred Gillett and his assistant, Craig Taylor, at Stockley Park, the 23-year-old midfielder's brilliant strike was ruled out. In the build-up to the goal, Levi Colwill was adjudged to have been in an offside position when Cole Palmer first delivered a cross into the box.

After a couple of minutes, VAR decided to rule out the goal. An official statement from the Premier League reads: "VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Colwill was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed."

Enzo Maresca will certainly feel aggrieved by the decision as the race for top four builds a head of steam. Speaking to reporters ahead of Chelsea's clash against Tottenham, he was quizzed on the importance of securing Champions League qualification.

"If you are able to finish top four, top five, first of all it's fantastic for the fans," said the Blues boss. "For the club because we bring this club where this club has been always there.

"But, for the players, it's also important because they can realise the work that they have done and they can build from them something for the future."

On how he wants his side to play, Maresca added: "I've said many times, no matter who is playing, we want to be direct and quick when they press higher, but we cannot be direct and quick when they sit back.

"Probably the last game at home, if you review Leicester, West Ham, Wolves, Southampton, if you have a reminder of that game, there are all games where 11 players were behind the ball, almost at the edge of the box.

"It's impossible to attack quick. Now, against a team that they press higher, you can attack more quick for sure. But it's easier when you have players who are running behind.

"Maybe the players you've had before in that period, they don't really like running behind, they like balls to feet. For skills, for character, for sure when you have players that they love to run behind more, it's more easy.

"But even when you have that and teams sit back, it's complicated. There is no space to attack in behind."

On the Premier League run-in, Maresca said: "The attitude, the behaviour has always been top, every game, every game, every day. Even in the last three, four days, in the last week, because they know how important it is from now on.

"Even if I think this already starts from four, five games, in the last 12, 13, 14 games. Every game becomes important and now, as you said, we have nine games to go and hopefully we can finish where we are at this moment."