Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that midfield outcast Giovani Lo Celso has left the club to rejoin Real Betis on a permanent deal.

The Argentina international failed to make the grade in North London following his arrival in 2019, initially on loan before his stay was made permanent at the end of that season.

With Lo Celso's Tottenham deal due to expire in 2025, the midfielder was always expected to complete a transfer elsewhere this summer, and Spurs have now announced his return to La Liga.

The Lilywhites - who were initially struggling to agree a deal with their Spanish counterparts - will reportedly receive €10m (£8.4m) for the sale of Lo Celso, in addition to add-ons and an unspecified sell-on clause.

The 28-year-old heads for the Tottenham exit door after racking up 10 goals and eight assists in 108 matches for the club across all tournaments, also spending time on loan with Villarreal while contracted to Spurs.

While playing for the Yellow Submarine, Lo Celso helped the Spanish outfit reach the semi-finals of the 2021-22 Champions League, and he has also been a part of Argentina's two Copa America-winning squads.

In Tottenham Hotspur's third game of the 2024-25 Premier League season against Newcastle United on Sunday, boss Ange Postecoglou could name an unchanged backline from the team that comfortably beat Everton last time out on August 24.

As such, expect Guglielmo Vicario to be shielded by Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.

Udogie was substituted for Djed Spence in the 73rd minute against Everton, but Postecoglou confirmed that the left-back was just sore rather than injured.

In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur could make an appearance given his recent return from injury, though he is unlikely to start on Sunday ahead of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma or James Maddison.

Dejan Kulusevski started in midfield against Everton and though he is comfortable in deeper zones, it would be surprising if Postecoglou selected both Maddison and Kulusevski to start either side of Bissouma considering how dangerous Newcastle can be during counter-attacks.

In the forward line, summer signing Dominic Solanke is unavailable for selection for the second consecutive matchweek, while Richarlison is set to be sidelined for a number of weeks due to an injury he picked up in training.

Son Heung-Min is certain to start, although he may be forced to play as a striker due to the absence of both Solanke and Richarlison.

Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert started last time out against Everton, and given how well Spurs performed in that match, the pair could be given the nod ahead of the likes of Timo Werner.

Tottenham possible starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Son, Odobert

Newcastle United and Eddie Howe have limited options to choose from at centre-back after Fabian Schar's red card against Southampton on August 17, as well as Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles's cruciate ligament injuries.

It would not be surprising to see Dan Burn continue to shield goalkeeper Nick Pope alongside defender Emil Krafth, who both started in defence in their side's 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on August 25.

Valentino Livramento started at right-back against Bournemouth and Southampton, and is sure to feature again on Sunday, while Lloyd Kelly might be given the nod at left-back ahead of Lewis Hall.

Bruno Guimaraes will start at the base of midfield, and the all-action midfielder could be partnered by Joelinton and Sandro Tonali against Tottenham Hotspur.

Unfortunately, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock are both expected to be unavailable due to injury, though Howe did confirm that Willock seems to have avoided a serious injury when he was forced off against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup on August 28.

In the forward line, Newcastle will have to contend with the absence of Callum Wilson due to a back injury, and he is not expected to return until later in September.

Elsewhere, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak are certain to be part of the starting XI.

Jacob Murphy started on the right of a front three against Bournemouth, and he could feature once again.

Newcastle possible starting lineup: Pope; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Eddie Howe's Newcastle United are set to host Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park on Sunday in each side's third game of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

The home team are seventh in the table with four points from their opening two matches against Southampton and Bournemouth, while the visitors also have four points but are in fifth place due to superior goal difference.

Match preview

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After a somewhat disappointing 2023-24 campaign in which Newcastle finished seventh, failed to qualify for European football and had marquee signing Sandro Tonali banned for most of the season, Howe might have hoped that 2024-25 would be less turbulent.

However, Fabian Schar was sent off after just 28 minutes in their opening Premier League match against newly-promoted Southampton on August 17, and the Toon were forced to concede possession and territory to the Saints as a result.

Midfielder Joelinton scored the only goal of the game in the 45th minute when he took advantage of an error by Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who played a loose pass to Alexander Isak in his own penalty area.

Newcastle were embroiled in controversy in their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on August 25, with Cherries forward Dango Ouattara adjudged to have struck the ball with his arm when he converted what would have been the winning goal in the 92nd minute.

Joelinton managed to make the headlines again but this time for escaping a red card after he clotheslined goalkeeper Neto in second-half stoppage time, and even Howe noted that the Brazilian was lucky to have only picked up a yellow card.

The Toon drew 1-1 on August 28 against Nottingham Forest in the second round of the EFL Cup, but advanced to the third round after winning 4-3 on penalties, and they will face AFC Wimbledon on September 17.

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Opponents Tottenham began their season with a disappointing 1-1 draw on August 19 against Leicester City, a match in which they had 70% possession and 15 shots.

Ange Postecoglou's side demonstrated their ability to produce exciting attacking football, including when Pedro Porro scored the game's opening goal in the 29th minute, though they also showed they can be vulnerable during counter-attacks.

Spurs' second game of the season against Everton on August 24 was much more straightforward, with one goal from Yves Bissouma, one from Cristian Romero and two from Son Heung-Min ensuring a 4-0 victory.

Tottenham were aided by Jordan Pickford's inexplicable error in the 25th minute when he let the ball roll across his path but failed to control James Tarkowski's pass, and this allowed Son to pounce and score Spurs' second.

Postecoglou's side are averaging the second most shots on target per match, have created the second most big chances and have had the most touches in the opposition box of any team in the Premier League.

The visitors come into the clash unbeaten in their last three league games and have scored eight goals in those matches.

In the last nine top-flight meetings between Newcastle and Tottenham the sides have scored a combined 40 goals, though Spurs have lost their last two league matches at St James' Park 6-1 and 4-0.

Newcastle United Premier League form:

Newcastle United form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

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Newcastle have several absentees, including centre-backs Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles due to cruciate ligament injuries, while fellow centre-back Fabian Schar remains suspended.

Dan Burn and Emil Krafth started against Bournemouth as centre-back partners, and they could start once again on Sunday.

Callum Wilson, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock are all expected to miss out, while goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is a doubt.

Tonali returned to the pitch for Newcastle in their game against Nottingham Forest, and could be in contention for a starting spot this weekend.

As for Tottenham, they will be without Richarlison for the next few weeks due to an injury he picked up in training, while Dominic Solanke remains unavailable for selection.

More positively, Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to be in the squad to face the Toon, though he will have to feature from the bench if Postecoglou selects Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and James Maddison in midfield.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Pope; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Son, Odobert

We say: Newcastle United 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur

It would not be surprising if Sunday's game is a high-scoring affair given the nature of recent encounters between the sides.

While Spurs have defensive issues to contend with, Newcastle's backline has been decimated due to injury and suspension, and this could give the visitors the advantage this weekend.

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

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Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers have discovered who they will play in the Europa League league phase following Friday's draw ceremony.

Rather than the familiar group-stage format of years gone by, the 2024-25 edition of the Europa League will instead see an expanded league phase, as 36 teams vie for the top eight automatic qualifying places.

Despite labouring to an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, Man United's FA Cup success earned them direct entry into the Europa League, as did Spurs' fifth-placed ranking in the top flight.

Scottish giants Rangers - who were in pot one alongside Spurs and Man United - complete the British representation, and Philippe Clement's side have remarkably been drawn to face both Premier League teams.

Rangers will face Erik ten Hag's men at Old Trafford and will welcome Spurs to their Ibrox base, while Man United will also enjoy a mouthwatering reunion with a former manager.

Man United to face Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce

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One of the two pot two teams the Red Devils have been drawn to face is Fenerbahce, managed by former Man United boss Jose Mourinho, but the Portuguese will be hosting his erstwhile employers rather than returning to Old Trafford.

As well as Rangers and Fenerbahce, Man United also face last season's beaten Champions League quarter-finalists Porto away, while hosting Greek powerhouses PAOK at Old Trafford.

From pot three, Ten Hag's men will welcome Bodo/Glimt to Old Trafford and travel to face Viktoria Plzen, while Eredivisie side FC Twente (home) and Romanian outfit FCSB (Romania) complete the Red Devils' set of opponents.

Meanwhile, Spurs will tackle another of Mourinho's former clubs in Roma at home, and Ange Postecoglou's side will also welcome AZ Alkmaar, Qarabag and Elfsborg to their North London headquarters.

In addition to their trip to Rangers, Spurs' other league phase away matches see the Lilywhites take a short trip to Germany to face Hoffenheim, while also facing Galatasaray in Turkey and Ferencvaros in Hungary.

Rangers drawn to face two Ligue 1 clubs

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As for Rangers, the Scottish Premiership titans have been drawn to take on two Ligue 1 clubs in addition to Man United and Spurs, hosting Lyon (pot two) and travelling to Nice (pot four).

Clement's side are also welcoming FCSB and Belgian outfit Union SG to Ibrox, and they will face Greek giants Olympiacos and Swedish side Malmo away from home in the league phase.

The top eight teams in the league phase directly advance to the last 16, while sides ranked ninth to 24th will compete in the playoffs for the final eight places, with no teams dropping down from the Champions League or moving to the Europa Conference League.

The league phase will take place from September 25 to January 30, while the final will take place at Athletic Bilbao's Estadio de San Mames on May 21.

Europa League league phase draw for Man United, Tottenham and Rangers:

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prioritising the addition of a new midfielder before the summer transfer window closes in England on August 30.

After narrowly missing out on a top-four finish in the Premier League last season, Ange Postecoglou has overseen the arrival of five new signings, while 13 players have departed either on loan or permanently.

Striker Dominic Solanke is the club's record signing at around £65m, while teenage quartet Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Yang Min-Hyeok have also made the permanent switch to North London.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, Eric Dier, Emerson Royal and Oliver Skipp are some of the standout names who have departed, the latter of whom has joined Leicester City for an initial £20m.

Postecoglou recently confirmed that he expects more players to leave the club and also hopes that his Spurs squad will be strengthened with new additions in the final few days of the transfer window.

Speaking to reporters prior to last weekend's 4-0 Premier League win over Everton, Postecoglou said: "A couple more [players] will go out, but we've done a fair bit of work over the last 12 months in terms of the squad.

"As much as the focus has been on getting guys in, we've changed the squad a fair bit, brought down the demographic a fair way.

"We've brought in footballers who are better suited to play the football we want to play moving forwards. So, there has been a lot of work done in that area from our perspective, but with a week to go there is still a little bit to do."

Spurs to prioritise midfield addition before deadline

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are 'prioritising' a move for a new centre-midfielder before the window slams shut after allowing both Skipp and Hojbjerg to leave the club.

The report adds that Spurs are aware it will be tough to land their top targets at this stage in the window, but they are nevertheless ready to make a move for a new midfielder.

Spurs keeping tabs on Hackney

One midfielder who is believed to be on Tottenham's radar is Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, who has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs this summer.

GiveMeSport claims that Spurs have sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old in Boro's first two Championship matches this season as they consider making a late move for the England Under-21 international.

Hackney, who joined Middlesbrough's academy at Under-10s level, has made a total of 72 first-team appearances for the club and has established himself as a key player under head coach - and former Spurs midfielder - Michael Carrick.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prioritising the addition of a new midfielder before the summer transfer window closes in England on August 30.

After narrowly missing out on a top-four finish in the Premier League last season, Ange Postecoglou has overseen the arrival of five new signings, while 13 players have departed either on loan or permanently.

Striker Dominic Solanke is the club's record signing at around £65m, while teenage quartet Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Yang Min-Hyeok have also made the permanent switch to North London.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, Eric Dier, Emerson Royal and Oliver Skipp are some of the standout names who have departed, the latter of whom has joined Leicester City for an initial £20m.

Postecoglou recently confirmed that he expects more players to leave the club and also hopes that his Spurs squad will be strengthened with new additions in the final few days of the transfer window.

Speaking to reporters prior to last weekend's 4-0 Premier League win over Everton, Postecoglou said: "A couple more [players] will go out, but we've done a fair bit of work over the last 12 months in terms of the squad.

"As much as the focus has been on getting guys in, we've changed the squad a fair bit, brought down the demographic a fair way.

"We've brought in footballers who are better suited to play the football we want to play moving forwards. So, there has been a lot of work done in that area from our perspective, but with a week to go there is still a little bit to do."

Spurs to prioritise midfield addition before deadline

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are 'prioritising' a move for a new centre-midfielder before the window slams shut after allowing both Skipp and Hojbjerg to leave the club.

The report adds that Spurs are aware it will be tough to land their top targets at this stage in the window, but they are nevertheless ready to make a move for a new midfielder.

Spurs keeping tabs on Hackney

One midfielder who is believed to be on Tottenham's radar is Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, who has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs this summer.

GiveMeSport claims that Spurs have sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old in Boro's first two Championship matches this season as they consider making a late move for the England Under-21 international.

Hackney, who joined Middlesbrough's academy at Under-10s level, has made a total of 72 first-team appearances for the club and has established himself as a key player under head coach - and former Spurs midfielder - Michael Carrick.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has played down concerns over Destiny Udogie's fitness following his side's 4-0 thrashing of Everton in the Premier League.

The Lilywhites made amends for their wastefulness against Leicester City in emphatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, where Son Heung-min (two), Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero all breached the Toffees' meek backline.

However, Tottenham suffered a couple of injury scares to defenders of their own in North London, as Micky van de Ven tweaked his knee in the first half but was able to carry on, setting up Son's second of the day with a sensational solo run.

Meanwhile, Udogie - who missed the end of the 2023-24 season due to a quadriceps operation - was taken off on the 73-minute mark and looked a little worse for wear as he was replaced by Djed Spence.

Postecoglou was quizzed on Udogie's condition following the triumph, but the Australian insisted that the left-back was simply suffering from fatigue and tightness following his prolonged period on the sidelines.

Postecoglou reveals hamstring and calf soreness for Udogie

"No, he was a bit sore. He had sort of tightness, both hamstrings and calves, I think," football.london quotes the Tottenham manager as saying.

"Again, he was really fatigued last week as well, so trying to get as many match minutes into him as possible through this early period just to get his fitness up. I haven't spoken to the medical team but when I spoke to him, he just said he felt tired."

Tottenham had already been dealt a bitter injury blow before the game with the news that Dominic Solanke would miss out due to an ankle injury, which saw Postecoglou reshuffle his attacking contingent.

Rather than start Richarlison against his former team, Postecoglou save Son the nod in the middle as Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and debutant Wilson Odobert also started in a highly attacking setup.

However, it was Bissouma - banned for the Leicester draw after inhaling laughing gas - who drew first blood with a 20-yard rocket, before Son pounced on a heavy touch from Jordan Pickford and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Postecoglou reacts to Bissouma goal after laughing gas suspension

Spurs were briefly under pressure in the second half, but Romero's header and Son's second of the afternoon made sure of a dominant win for the North London crop, and Postecoglou praised Bissouma for a "disciplined" display after his recent misdemeanour.

"Yeah, Biss was good and we know Biss is a good footballer. It's about him being the best version of himself and he will only get there if, as we've spoken a few times, discipline is a big thing for him and I thought it was a disciplined performance for him today you know," Postecoglou added.

"Not just the goal he scored, but he had a really important job for us. He knew they'd sort of play fairly direct and he had to be there to mop up second balls and intercept things and he was clean for the most part in possession. So good performance."

Tottenham's next Premier League game sees the Lilywhites head to Newcastle United on Sunday, keen to rectify their recent St James' Park mistakes after a 6-1 loss in 2022-23 and 4-0 beatdown last year. body check tags ::

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton will both go in search of their first wins of the Premier League campaign in Saturday afternoon's showdown in North London.

The Lilywhites had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Leicester City on matchday one, while the Toffees were crushed 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs. EVERTON

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Rodrigo Bentancur (head), Dominic Solanke (ankle)

Doubtful: Fraser Forster (foot)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Richarlison

EVERTON

Out: Ashley Young (suspended), Chermiti (foot), Nathan Patterson (thigh), Seamus Coleman (calf), James Garner (calf), Jarrad Branthwaite (groin)

Doubtful: James Tarkowski (unspecified)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Pickford; Holgate, O'Brien, Keane, Mykolenko; Harrison, Iroegbunam, Doucoure, Gueye, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin

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

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed that striker Dominic Solanke will not be available for Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton due to an ankle injury.

After becoming the Lilywhites' most expensive player of all time, joining in a £65m deal from Bournemouth, Solanke was immediately thrown into the first XI for Monday's clash with Leicester City.

The former Chelsea and Liverpool man completed the full 90 minutes at the King Power Stadium, but he failed to make a major impact as the Foxes fought back to draw 1-1 with Posteocglou's side.

There was no mention of any issue for Solanke in the immediate aftermath of that encounter, but speaking in Friday's pre-game press conference, Postecoglou revealed that the 26-year-old had picked up a knock to the ankle.

Solanke sustained the issue early on against Leicester and managed to battle through the pain in the match, but a flare-up has ruled him out of Saturday's game, and Postecoglou has suggested that he might be sidelined until after the international break.

Solanke out as Postecoglou provides Pedro Porro update

"Dominic picked up a knock in the last game, he got through the game, but he flared up the day after and he'll miss tomorrow," the Tottenham manager told reporters.

"It's an ankle injury, he copped it really early on, someone went across his ankle. It just depends on his recovery [when he returns], obviously we've got the international break. But it's not serious."

Solanke will be joined on the Tottenham sidelines by Rodrigo Bentancur, who looked to have been knocked unconscious in a clash of heads with Leicester attacker Abdul Fatawu on Monday, but the Uruguayan is slowly on the mend from that incident.

In brighter news, Postecoglou confirmed that Pedro Porro would be fine to take part this weekend, despite also taking a blow to the foot in the latter stages of the Leicester draw, while Yves Bissouma returns from an internal suspension after filming himself inhaling laughing gas.

"Irrespective of concussion protocols, any head injury we've always got to be more conservative from my perspective," Postecoglou said of Bentancur. " He's bounced back really well, he's done all the tests and feels good but we'll take our time with Rodrigo to make sure he's absolutely 100 per cent before we put him out there again.

"It's unfortunate for Rodrigo as he had a good game on Monday night. Biss is available but we've got other options there. Pedro is fine, he trained this week and we have no other concerns."

Who could replace Solanke for Everton clash?

With Solanke in the medical bay, Richarlison is surely the main contender to start at the tip of the Tottenham attack, having battled back from a long-term calf concern to come off the bench against Leicester.

The Brazilian was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance to win the game for Tottenham on Monday, but he was Everton's nemesis last season, scoring three times against his former club in the Premier League.

Richarlison netted a brace at Goodison Park after also opening the scoring at home last December, and he could now draw level with Wayne Rooney (four) as the player to have scored the most goals against Everton in the Premier League after leaving the Toffees.