Spurs bid to back up Aston Villa result with win that could move them into the top four
Tottenham vs Ipswich LIVE!
After a statement win against Aston Villa last weekend, Tottenham will bid to back up that result when they host Ipswich. Three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their final game before the international break could see Spurs climb into the top four.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have a good record at home and should be too strong for Premier League new boys Ipswich, who are still searching for their first win of the season under Kieran McKenna. Spurs kick off down in ninth place but will move above Arsenal with a win, even if it is only until the Gunners face Chelsea in the late game on Sunday.
Micky van de Ven is missing for Spurs but Postecoglou hopes his centre-back partner Cristian Romero is fit after he suffered a foot injury in the 4-1 win against Villa. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham vs Ipswich latest
A big talking point at Tottenham this week has been Hugo Lloris’s revelations in his new book.
Former Spurs captain Lloris has revealed he was left questioning the club's desire to win after chairman Daniel Levy gifted the entire squad an engraved watch before the 2019 Champions League Final.
In a damning extract from his new autobiography, Lloris says he still has not “got over” Levy's well-meaning gift to each of the squad of an engraved with 'Finalist' before the game, and claims himself, Pochettino and Harry Kane doubted the club's commitment to winning.
Ahead of today’s game, Ange Postecoglou has responded to the comments and defended Spurs.
“I haven't read what Hugo's said, it's been mentioned to me,” said Postecoglou. “I think with these things you've got to put context around them and understand the broader view and that could have been a very successful period for the club.
“They came very, very close. You're talking about finishing runners-up in the Premier League and runners-up in the Champions League. It could have been a very different era and maybe in retrospect you'll be looking at those things.”
Postecoglou has regularly stated his belief that he will win trophies with Spurs club, and insists that has not changed.
“From my perspective I've never allowed anyone else to dictate my ambitions, my aims, or what I try and do with everyone around me is you don't put a limit on what you can achieve because if you do you potentially might miss something that comes along your way,” he said.
Tottenham are in the building...
Tottenham vs Ipswich latest odds
Tottenham to win: 1/4
Draw: 6/1
Ipswich to win: 19/2
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
Head to head history and results
Tottenham wins: 24
Draws: 8
Ipswich wins: 21
Prediction
Spurs have to be strong favourites here, even if Ipswich have been fairly unlucky in some of their games. Any dropped points would be a real blow for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Tottenham to win, 3-1.
Ipswich team news
Kalvin Phillips is suspended following his red card against Leicester last weekend but right-back Harry Clarke returns from a ban.
Dara O'Shea is again set to play despite an ongoing back problem.
Tottenham team news
Ange Postecoglou hopes Cristian Romero will be fit to start after he suffered a foot injury against Aston Villa.
But Richarlison, Micky van de Ven and Wilson Odobert (all hamstring) remain out, while Timo Werner (groin) and Mikey Moore (virus) are also sidelined.
If Romero is fit, he is expected to partner Radu Dragusin at centre-half. If not, Ben Davies is set to fill in at centre-half again.
Archie Gray is pushing for more minutes across the back line or in midfield after a strong showing in Thursday’s 3-2 defeat at Galatasaray in the Europa League.
Postecoglou is short of options in his front line with Heung-min Son and Brennan Johnson, who were both taken off at half-time in Istanbul, his only fit wide players.
Dominic Solanke is set to return to the XI after being rested from the start on Thursday.
Action Images via Reuters
How to watch
TV channel and live stream: The game will not be broadcast in the UK.
Free highlights: Match of the Day 2, however, will show highlights when it airs at 10.30pm GMT on BBC One.
Good afternoon!
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham vs Ipswich!
Spurs will be out to back up their impressive win over Aston Villa when they host Premier League new boys Ipswich in their final game before the international break.
Ange Postecoglou’s side sent out a real statement with their 4-1 victory over Villa last weekend and could move into the top four with a win.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 2pm GMT from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!
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