Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has been dealt another debilitating defensive blow ahead of Sunday's Premier League London derby against Chelsea.

The Lilywhites lost both the game and Ben Davies to injury against Bournemouth on Thursday evening, and Postecoglou has admitted that the Welshman's hamstring issue may sideline him for a while.

Davies is one of seven stricken Spurs men guaranteed to miss the visit of the Blues, as Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (suspended), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Richarlison (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness) and Wilson Odobert (hamstring) will also watch on helplessly.

Toe victim Cristian Romero is the only member of the injured crowd who might have a slim chance of being available, but if he is not deemed ready for a start, Postecoglou will have no choice but to partner Archie Gray with Radu Dragusin.

Gray moving across to centre-back would at least allow Pedro Porro to rejoin a backline also comprising Destiny Udogie and Fraser Forster, the latter of whom has filled Vicario's boots adequately since his superior's injury.

Due to Spurs' lack of fit defensive options, Postecoglou may sacrifice James Maddison from the midfield, allowing Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma to provide a sturdy presence alongside Dejan Kulusevski.

Maddison dropping out would open up a spot for captain Son Heung-min to return to the final third alongside Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke, who recovered from illness to start against his former club on Thursday.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son

> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for this clash

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On the back of contrasting performances on the South Coast, London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea headline Sunday's Premier League fixture list with a mouthwatering derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While Enzo Maresca's men made extremely light work of Southampton in a 5-1 midweek mauling, their hosts were fortunate to only lose by a narrow margin in their 1-0 reverse at Bournemouth.

Match preview

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A handful of disgruntled Tottenham supporters did not hesitate to let Ange Postecoglou know what they truly thought of Thursday's horror show at Bournemouth, where a first-half header from teenage centre-back Dean Huijsen propelled the Cherries to the three points that their performance merited.

Only Bournemouth's own wastefulness in front of goal spared Spurs the humiliation of an even heavier defeat, but the Lilywhites' lacklustre display was pitiful in itself, even if the injury-ravaged visitors did end the evening with just one fit centre-back in their ranks.

A typically stoic Postecoglou accepted the "direct feedback" he received from the furious Lilywhites army as Spurs failed to escape mid-table obscurity; Sunday's hosts lie smack-bang in the centre of the Premier League standings in 10th place, six points below the Champions League positions.

Only one of Tottenham's last six matches across all tournaments has seen Postecoglou's men prevail, although it was their 4-0 upset of champions Manchester City a couple of weekends ago, and the Lilywhites are bidding to score for the 10th home game running in all competitions this weekend.

However, none of Spurs' last three home games against Roma, Fulham or Ipswich Town has ended in victory, and Postecoglou is yet to find that consistent winning formula in London derbies; Tottenham have only won four of their last 13 Premier League games against fellow sides from the capital, losing seven of them.

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As Tottenham's downfall at Bournemouth began with a first-half header from a centre-back, Chelsea's goal rush at Southampton was triggered in the same circumstances, as Axel Disasi breached the Saints' backline with just seven minutes on the St Mary's board.

Joe Aribo wasted little time in restoring parity for the men in red and white, but a rotated Chelsea side soon flaunted their attacking prowess again, as Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho all made the net bulge in the Blues' latest emphatic Premier League triumph.

As much as Maresca may continue to downplay Chelsea's chances of Premier League glory, Sunday's visitors are now the closest challengers to leaders Liverpool, having leapfrogged Arsenal on goal difference in midweek to sit second with a seven-point gap to make up to the Reds.

Victorious in each of their last four matches across all competitions - including their last three away from home - the Blues should now be the envy of rival supporters castigating their summer transfer business, and their penchant for success at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is evident.

Including last season's 4-1 triumph in this fixture, aided by a nine-man Tottenham's implosion, Chelsea have beaten Spurs in five of their last seven away matches, picking up more wins against the Lilywhites at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium than any other team since 2019.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Chelsea Premier League form:

Chelsea form (all competitions):

Team News

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Serious injury was added to serious insult at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday evening, as Tottenham lost yet another centre-back in Ben Davies to a hamstring problem, one that Postecoglou fears will sideline him for a while.

With Micky van de Ven also sidelined with a thigh problem, Cristian Romero's return from a toe injury cannot come soon enough, although the teenage Archie Gray might have to fill in alongside Radu Dragusin at the back for the time being.

Rodrigo Bentancur (suspended), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Richarlison (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness) and Wilson Odobert (hamstring) also remain out of the first-team picture for the time being, and after restricting Son Heung-min to a second-half cameo on Thursday, Postecoglou should immediately recall his skipper for the derby.

Chelsea's primary selection concerns also come in defence, albeit not to the same degree as Tottenham's injury crisis, as Wesley Fofana and Reece James are the only senior players missing for the visitors at the minute due to their hamstring problems.

Youngster Omari Kellyman is also absent for the same reason but would have never started this capital clash, where Pedro Neto, Sancho and Nicolas Jackson could all come back into a refreshed attacking setup, even if Madueke, Nkunku and Joao Felix all made their mark at St Mary's.

Levi Colwill and Robert Sanchez are also primed to return in the Blues' backline, but Disasi's performance in midweek merits another start for the Frenchman in place of the stricken Fofana.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sancho, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Chelsea

As Tottenham may be working with just one fit centre-back and a day's less rest than their opponents, the home faithful may resign themselves to a repeat of last year's home humbling at the hands of Chelsea.

Postecoglou's men were highly fortunate to only concede once on Bournemouth's turf, but a goal-happy Chelsea should not make the same attacking mistakes the Cherries did at one of their happiest hunting grounds.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur return to action on Sunday when they square off against Chelsea in the Premier League.

Ange Postecoglou's team have remained on their inconsistent path in recent games, most recently succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth.

Now sitting down in 10th position in the Premier League table, Spurs are under pressure to deliver in a high-profile showdown with Enzo Maresca's side.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Tottenham's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their showdown with one of their city rivals, who thrashed Southampton earlier this week.

Guglielmo Vicario

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: Unknown

First-choice goalkeeper Vicario remarkably played for over an hour at the Etihad Stadium last month with a broken ankle, which he has since undergone surgery for, and Postecoglou has confirmed that the Italian faces months out of action.

Cristian Romero

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Toe

Possible return date: December 8 (vs. Chelsea)

Romero is ever closer to coming back from a toe injury. However, although Postecoglou has suggested that the World Cup winner will be back in contention 'early next week at the very latest', he may not be risked for this game.

Richarlison

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: January 15 (vs. Arsenal)

Richarlison's hamstring problem is expected to render him unavailable until the early stages of January, potentially meaning that he could make his comeback in the next North London derby.

Micky van de Ven

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: December 19 (vs. Manchester United)

Unlike Richarlison, Van de Ven's hamstring problem may have completely healed before the end of 2024. The Dutchman suggested on social media earlier this week that he is making progress with his rehabilitation, yet it is highly unlikely that he will be available on Sunday.

Wilson Odobert

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Just after making a comeback from one hamstring problem, summer signing Odobert sustained an even more severe injury in the same area and will be out for the long-term after undergoing an operation.

Mikey Moore

Status: Out

Type of injury: Illness

Possible return date: December 12 (vs. Rangers)

Teenage sensation Moore has been laid low by a troublesome illness this month, and Postecoglou has conceded that it will be at least the middle of the month before the 17-year-old makes his return.

Ben Davies

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Spurs were handed a further defensive blow on Thursday when Davies sustained a hamstring injury. There is currently every indication that the Wales international could be sidelined for the remainder of 2024.

TOTTENHAM'S SUSPENSION LIST

Rodrigo Bentancur

Return date: December 12 (vs. Rangers)

Bournemouth have moved up into the top half of the Premier League and above Tottenham Hotspur following a 1-0 win over Ange Postecoglou's side tonight.

Dean Huijsen's first-half header ended up being the decisive moment in a game of many chances, but the teenage Spaniard was ultimately the only man who could convert across the evening.

Andoni Iraola's men had the lion's share of the good opportunities, especially in a remarkable spell during the final 20 minutes when Spurs left themselves wide open in search of an equaliser, but presented with chance after chance, the Cherries could not put the game to bed, eventually amassing an xG of almost 3.5.

Facing his former club for the first time since a big-money move over the summer, Spurs striker Dominic Solanke struggled to make much of an impact after blazing a clear opportunity over the crossbar inside 10 minutes.

Team mate Son Heung-min briefly thought he had found the equaliser for Spurs with his first touch after coming off the bench just before the hour mark, but the linesman's flag correctly denied him and cut those celebrations short.

VAR was required to disallow a goal at the other end merely 15 minutes later, as Fraser Forster's loose pass allowed Tyler Adams in, and the goalkeeper's save fell perfectly for Evanilson to score, but he was also in an offside position.

Marcus Tavernier will be disappointed with his efforts in front of goal, despite claiming an assist for the Huijsen goal, as he could easily have had a hat trick, with his opportunity in the final 10 minutes the most glaring of the three he passed up.

Despite those missed chances though, Bournemouth were able to hold on throughout six minutes of injury time, handing them a second straight win and moving them up to ninth in the Premier League table, above Spurs, who drop to 10th.

BOURNEMOUTH VS. TOTTENHAM HIGHLIGHTS

Huijsen goal vs. Tottenham (17th min, Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham)

What a moment for Huijsen! The Bournemouth defender, handed a first start of the campaign in the place of the injured Marcos Senesi, glides into space unattended and heads beyond Forster from close range after a fine delivery from Tavernier to become the club's youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer.

MAN OF THE MATCH - TYLER ADAMS

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There were many nominees for this award in the Bournemouth team, including the goalscorer Huijsen, but Adams's efforts all over the pitch in attack and defence means he edges it, especially considering how well he was able to nullify the Spurs midfield across the 90 minutes.

BOURNEMOUTH VS. TOTTENHAM MATCH STATS

Possession: Bournemouth 34% - 66% Tottenham

Shots: Bournemouth 21 - 12 Tottenham

Shots on target: Bournemouth 8 - 4 Tottenham

Corners: Bournemouth 5 - 9 Tottenham

Fouls: Bournemouth 15 - 8 Tottenham

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Spurs have an important London derby against Chelsea on the horizon at the weekend, while Bournemouth will look to build on back-to-back wins when they travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town.

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Manchester United are reportedly keeping a close eye on Son Heung-min's situation at Tottenham Hotspur, with the Red Devils considering making a move for the experienced attacker next year.

Son arrived at Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, and the South Korea international has managed 166 goals and 88 assists in 422 appearances for the North London club in all competitions.

The 32-year-old's future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is currently unclear, though, as his contract is due to expire next summer, and according to GIVEMESPORT, Man United are closely monitoring developments.

The report claims that the Red Devils view Son as 'a viable target', and Ruben Amorim's side could attempt to sign him on a free transfer next year if a new deal in London is not agreed.

Son has found it difficult to show his best form for Tottenham this season, but he has still scored four goals and registered four assists in 14 appearances in all competitions, including seven goal contributions in the Premier League.

Man United 'keeping an eye' on Son's contract situation

There has been criticism of Son's overall performance level this season, but Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou insisted that it would be wrong to "write him off".

"I think there were questions about Mo (Salah) maybe a year or so ago," Postecoglou told reporters when questioned on his captain ahead of Thursday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

"Go for it! It might help me if you write him off. I don't get that sense. I still feel from a physical output and the quality he has and certainly from a mentality point of view, I haven't seen it.

"What I do know is, from my own experience, the end comes pretty quickly. It's not falling off a cliff, but you find with a lot of great players that all of a sudden it's gone from bang to bang. It's not a slow deterioration.

"I don't see that in Sonny, I still think he's got a hell of a lot of quality and from a physical standpoint, the way he looks after himself, I don't see his abilities diminishing just due to the age factor at the moment. I don't see that.

"You weigh up the output of it and he is not at the level so far this year that he has been in previous years but that's a pretty high standard he's had in the past. Can he get there this year? I still think he can. I think a lot of that is down to consistent game time.

"He's had a bit of a disrupted start this year where's he's had a couple of setbacks where he hasn't played regularly. I think with Sonny, the more regularly he plays the increase in that output. So, the answer is no, I don't think so and I'd be wary about writing him off."

Should Man United target Son?

A move for Son would be against Man United's new transfer policy under minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with the club now largely targeting youngsters rather than established stars.

However, bringing in a player of Son's quality on a free transfer is an opportunity not to be missed, with the forward still having plenty to offer at the top level, and it could be a stroke of genius from the Red Devils if they are able to pull off a move.

Chelsea will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their Premier League campaign with a clash against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues will enter the match off the back of a 5-1 victory over struggling Southampton in England's top flight.

Chelsea's excellent form has seen them rise into second spot in the Premier League table, level on points with third-placed Arsenal and seven from the leaders Liverpool, who dropped two points against Newcastle United on Wednesday night.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the away team's latest injury and suspension news ahead of a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a London derby.

Wesley Fofana

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Fofana picked a hamstring injury in the recent win over Aston Villa, and Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that the centre-back will miss the next four to five weeks with the problem.

Reece James

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

James, who has been restricted to just four appearances this term due to injury issues, is currently recovering from his latest hamstring problem, and a return before the end of the year is seen as unlikely.

Omari Kellyman

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Kellyman, who arrived at Chelsea from Villa over the summer, is yet to feature for the Blues due to a troublesome hamstring problem, and the 19-year-old is not expected to be available for selection until 2025.

CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Chelsea have no suspension issues heading into this contest.

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Fulham vs. Brighton (Thursday, 7.30pm)

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Two top-half teams in the Premier League go head-to-head at Craven Cottage on Thursday night as Fulham play host to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Cottagers and the Seagulls meet for the first time since the beginning of March when the former beat the latter 3-0 on home soil.

We say: Fulham 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Both teams have scored in all six of Fulham's home matches so far this season, while Brighton have found the net in all six of their away games and have kept just two clean sheets, so goals at both ends could be on the cards at Craven Cottage.

Although Fulham have a strong record against Brighton, we are backing the Seagulls to claim at least a share of the spoils from a fixture that has ended as a draw in three of the last six meetings between the two clubs.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Dunk, Baleba set to return: Predicted Brighton lineup vs. Fulham

> Marco's midfield conundrum: Predicted Fulham lineup vs. Brighton

Bournemouth vs. Spurs (Thursday, 8.15pm)

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Still seeking to solve their chronic inconsistent form, Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Vitality Stadium to take on Bournemouth in the Premier League on Thursday night.

The two teams meet for the first time since December 2023 when Spurs secured a 3-1 top-flight victory over the Cherries in North London.

We say: Bournemouth 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham average 2.5 goals per game in the Premier League against Bournemouth (35 goals in 14 games), their highest rate against any other team they have faced at least 10 times in the division, and they will back themselves to have more joy in the final third against a Cherries side who have kept just one clean sheet all season (against Arsenal).

Bournemouth, who have scored at least twice in each of their least four matches, are also set to pose a threat in attack, especially with Semenyo returning, so we can envisage an entertaining, end-to-end contest being played out at the Vitality, one that may end with the spoils being shared.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Will Solanke face his former club? Predicted Spurs lineup vs. Bournemouth

> Semenyo returns, but will Cook play? Predicted Bournemouth lineup vs. Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to take on Bournemouth in the Premier League on Thursday night.

While Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham last weekend, Bournemouth beat Wolves by a 4-2 scoreline at Molineux, and here, Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest team news for the two clubs.

BOURNEMOUTH vs. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

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BOURNEMOUTH

Out: Alex Scott (knee), Julian Araujo (hamstring), Luis Sinisterra (hamstring)

Doubtful: Lewis Cook (muscle)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Adams, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Rodrigo Bentancur (suspension), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Richarlison (hamstring), Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness)

Doubtful: Dominic Solanke (illness), Cristian Romero (toe), Archie Gray (knock/dead leg)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match .

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Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 16

Bournemouth wins: 4

Draws: 2

Spurs wins: 10

Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur have faced each other a total of 16 times across all competitions, with Spurs leading the overall head-to-head record having posted 10 wins to the Cherries' four, while just two draws have been played out between the two clubs.

The very first meeting between these two teams took place in February 1957 when Bournemouth (known then as Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic) beat Tottenham 3-1 on home soil in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Since then, each of the last 15 meetings between these two teams have been played in the Premier League, with Spurs initially dominating this fixture with six wins and one draw in their first seven top-flight encounters against Bournemouth, scoring 22 goals in the process.

Tottenham thrashed the Cherries by a 5-1 scoreline at the Vitality Stadium in October 2015, and then 4-1 at the same venue in March 2018, while they also celebrated 4-0 and 5-0 home victories during this run in April 2017 and December 2018 respectively.

At the eighth time of asking as a Premier League club, Bournemouth picked up their first three points against Spurs in a slender 1-0 home win in May 2019, courtesy of a dramatic 90th-minute goal from Nathan Ake.

Including that victory, Bournemouth have accumulated 10 points from their last 24 available against Spurs, with three of those collected in a 3-2 away win in April 2023 when Dominic Solanke - who now plies his trade at Spurs - got his name on the scoresheet for the Cherries.

Tottenham did the double over Bournemouth in the 2023-24 campaign, with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski on target in a 2-0 away win in August 2023, four months before Pape Matar Sarr, Son Heung-min and Richarlison all scored in a 3-1 home success, with Alex Scott netting a late consolation for the Cherries in that one.

However, Bournemouth deservedly won the most recent encounter between the two teams in December 2024, with teenage defender Dean Huijsen scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium.

Previous meetings

Dec 05, 2024: Bournemouth 1-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 31, 2023: Spurs 3-1 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Aug 26, 2023: Bournemouth 0-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Apr 15, 2023: Spurs 2-3 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Oct 29, 2022: Bournemouth 2-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Jul 09, 2020: Bournemouth 0-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Nov 30, 2019: Spurs 3-2 Bournemouth (Premier League)

May 04, 2019: Bournemouth 1-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 26, 2018: Spurs 5-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Mar 11, 2018: Bournemouth 1-4 Spurs (Premier League)

Oct 14, 2017: Spurs 1-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Apr 15, 2017: Spurs 4-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Oct 22, 2016: Bournemouth 0-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Mar 20, 2016: Spurs 3-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Last 10 Premier League meetings

Dec 05, 2024: Bournemouth 1-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 31, 2023: Spurs 3-1 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Aug 26, 2023: Bournemouth 0-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Apr 15, 2023: Spurs 2-3 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Oct 29, 2022: Bournemouth 2-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Jul 09, 2020: Bournemouth 0-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Nov 30, 2019: Spurs 3-2 Bournemouth (Premier League)

May 04, 2019: Bournemouth 1-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 26, 2018: Spurs 5-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Mar 11, 2018: Bournemouth 1-4 Spurs (Premier League)

Tottenham Hotspur will be without at least six players for Thursday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

While Rodrigo Bentancur will serve the third of his seven-game domestic suspension, Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert (all hamstring) and Mikey Moore (illness) all remain in the treatment room.

Thursday's game may also come too soon for Cristian Romero, who has missed the last three games with a toe injury, but Ange Postecoglou is hopeful that Dominic Solanke and Archie Gray will be fit to feature.

While Gray was forced off in the closing stages of Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Fulham last weekend with a knock/dead leg, Solanke missed out altogether through illness, but he should be fit to feature against his former club Bournemouth.

A return in attack for Solanke would likely see Timo Werner make way and would also allow Son Heung-min to move over to his favoured left flank, while Brennan Johnson, who scored the opener against Fulham, is set to continue on the right.

James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma all started in centre-midfield last time out, but one of those three is expected to be replaced by Dejan Kulusevski.

A back four of Pedro Porro, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie will likely remain intact, protecting goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

> Click here to see how Bournemouth could line up for this contest

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