Tottenham return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their third Premier League fixture of the season, welcoming Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side in what promises to be an intriguing clash of styles. Spirits will be high in North London, with speculation that new signing Xavi Simons could be formally welcomed to the fans before kick-off.
Team News
Thomas Frank delivered a mixture of updates ahead of the game. The most positive news is that Destiny Udogie is back in the squad after missing much of pre-season. However, the Italian full-back is expected to start on the bench, with Djed Spence keeping his place at left-back after being rewarded with an England call-up this week.
Elsewhere, Radu Drăgușin is seven to ten days away from rejoining first-team training after his long-term ACL injury, while James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Yves Bissouma all remain unavailable. Frank was reluctant to put a timeframe on Bissouma’s absence, fueling speculation over his future amid reported interest from Turkey.
Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
The Italian remains the undisputed No.1. After a strong showing against Manchester City, Vicario is expected to take up a higher starting position to cut out Bournemouth’s threat in transition. His distribution and composure have improved significantly since pre-season, earning early-season plaudits.
Defence: Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero (c), Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence
Porro has been one of Spurs’ standout performers so far, combining defensive improvement with his trademark attacking quality. On the opposite flank, Spence is tipped to start ahead of the returning Udogie, his recent England call-up underlining his resurgence.
In central defence, captain Cristian Romero will be tasked with handling the relentless pressing of Bournemouth’s forwards, while Van de Ven’s pace and composure continue to give Spurs a vital balance at the back.
Midfield: João Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr
Frank is expected to restore Palhinha after he was rested against Burnley. The Portuguese enforcer will be crucial in breaking up Bournemouth’s midfield runners and shielding the back four. Rodrigo Bentancur brings control and composure, while Sarr is likely to operate in the advanced role once more.
The Senegalese international has adapted impressively to playing as a No.10 in Maddison’s absence, using his energy, pressing and aerial presence to unsettle opposition defences. This may well be his last game in the role, with Simons set to add more creativity to the squad after the break.
Attack: Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison
Kudus continues to impress on the right, his flair and work rate making him indispensable in the early stages of the season. Brennan Johnson, with two goals from two league games, keeps his place on the left and will look to exploit the spaces Bournemouth tend to leave on the counter.
Up front, Richarlison is expected to lead the line again. The Brazilian has started the season in fine form, contributing goals and hold-up play, and was rewarded with another call-up to the Brazil squad this week. With confidence flowing, he will be central to Tottenham’s attacking plan.
Predicted XI:
Vicario; Porro, Romero (c), Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur, Sarr; Kudus, Johnson, Richarlison.
Prediction
Bournemouth are likely to test Spurs with their aggressive pressing and physical approach, but the buzz around the stadium – particularly with the anticipation of Xavi Simons’ arrival – could provide Tottenham with an extra edge. Spurs’ set-up looks strong enough to withstand Bournemouth’s counter-attacking threat while carrying plenty of quality in transition.
Prediction: Tottenham 2–1 Bournemouth
