The Lilywhites welcome Ipswich Town to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, looking to enter the international break with another Premier League win.
Ange Postecoglou’s side are in impressive form, riding high after a 4-1 comeback victory over Aston Villa and a recent Carabao Cup win over Manchester City. However, they suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat in the Europa League to Galatasaray midweek, which ended their perfect record in that competition.
Ipswich, meanwhile, find themselves in a struggle, sitting in the relegation zone with five draws and no wins from their ten games. Despite their league position, Kieran McKenna’s side are known for their unique tactical approach. They’ll be hoping it can help them produce an upset against the high-flying Spurs.
What time does Tottenham v Ipswich kick-off?
How both teams go into Tottenham v Ipswich
Tottenham come into this fixture off a strong run, winning nine of their last thirteen matches since mid-September and showing consistency across competitions. They’re currently eyeing a potential spot in the Premier League’s top four. Spurs will also be aiming for a rare home clean sheet, having gone 21 league games at home without one.
Ipswich’s form is less encouraging, with no league wins to their name. Their underlying stats reveal defensive vulnerabilities, as they’ve conceded the highest expected goals (xG) in the league. However, forward Liam Delap has been a bright spot, with five goals this season. McKenna’s side are adept at adapting their formation to outnumber opponents in midfield, which could pose a challenge for Spurs if not managed carefully.
Tottenham Team News
Spurs will be without Micky van de Ven due to a hamstring injury, while Timo Werner, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert all remain sidelined. Mikey Moore is also too ill to take part.
Cristian Romero could return to the Tottenham starting XI if he trains well over the next two days.
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Ipswich Team News
Ipswich will be without Kalvin Phillips, who’s suspended following a red card in their draw against Leicester.
Axel Tuanzebe is also out due to a hand injury, and defender Jacob Greaves remains sidelined with a muscle issue. However, Harry Clarke is expected to return from suspension, adding depth to Ipswich’s defence.
Predicted Tottenham Line-Up
Vicario, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Sarr, Johnson, Solanke, Son.
Our Prediction
Tottenham enter as favourites, and with Ipswich’s defensive struggles, they’ll look to capitalise on any gaps in the visitors’ formation. Kieran McKenna has implemented a versatile style for Ipswich, often using fluid positional rotations to disrupt opposing defences.
Liam Delap has benefited from this approach, scoring five goals this season by capitalising on well-placed passes from the midfield. With Kulusevski and Sarr in peak form linking with Bentancur, Tottenham’s midfield is well-equipped to handle Ipswich’s tactical shifts
With Ipswich conceding the league’s highest xG and struggling for wins, Spurs’ efficient attack, led by Heung-min Son and Dominic Solanke, is well-positioned to exploit Ipswich’s vulnerabilities.
Look out for Solanke to make an impact; his movement and finishing have added a new dimension to Spurs’ play, while Spurs’ overall form suggests they’re unlikely to let this opportunity slip by.