The Sports Bank

Tottenham Hotspur’s best opportunity for at ending their 17-year trophy drought has now passed, with the elimination loss at Liverpool last night. So now it’s on the other domestic cup competition, and with they’ll be, with apologies to Willie Nelson, “on the road again,” as a trip to Aston Villa awaits.

“We’ll go out there on Sunday and put out more of a performance that reflects where we’re at,” embattled manager Ange Postecoglou said.

FA Cup 4th Round FYIs

Tottenham Hotspur at Aston Villa

Kickoff: Sun. Feb. 9, 5:35pm, Villa Park, Birmingham, UK

Team News: Tottenham Aston Villa

Starting XI Predictions: Tottenham Aston Villa

Fun Fact: Spurs have won five of their last six FA Cup ties against Aston Villa, with the last L coming in 1992

“I have a great deal of belief in these players and what they’re going through and how they’re dealing with it.”

Having reached the semifinals of the League Cup gave Postecoglu some leeway to work with, while the calls for his sacking increase. But now that Spurs are out of that competition, the pressure on him will only increase.

Tottenham Starting XI Prediction at Aston Villa (FA Cup 4th Round)

Antonin Kinský, Pedro Porro, Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Djed Spence, Lucas Bergvall, Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski, Mathys Tel, Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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As they say in the hip-hop community, “can’t stop, won’t stop.” That phrase would certainly apply to the Tottenham Hotspur injury situation as a whole this season, and for striker Richarlison in particular.

The Brazilian went off injured in stoppage time of the 4-0 loss at Anfield last night.

FA Cup 4th Round FYIs

Tottenham Hotspur at Aston Villa

Kickoff: Sun. Feb. 9, 5:35pm, Villa Park, Birmingham, UK

Team News: Tottenham Aston Villa

Starting XI Predictions: Tottenham Aston Villa

Fun Fact: Spurs have won nine of their last ten at Villa, across all competitions

Spurs Team News

“It’s disappointing for him and he was emotional last night because he worked really hard to get himself back,” under fire manager Ange Postecoglou said of Richarlison and his lower leg injury on Thursday night. “It’s another setback that he’s going to have to deal with, we’re going to have to deal with. Hopefully get him back as soon as possible.”

Richarlison, who has been very vocal about the challenges that he deals with from a mental health stand point, has had a flurry of physical health problems in the past few years as well.

Since moving over from Everton in 2022, Richarlison has dealt with calf, groin, knee and hamstring injuries.

Also sidelined for the Aston Villa clash on Sunday are the following players: James Maddison, Timo Werner, Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Dominic Solanke.

Postecoglu did not provide a status update on any of the players in the aforementioned group, but he did provide the media with some news on the condition of another sidelined player, Micky van de Ven.

And it wasn’t good.

“Micky got through the [Europa League] game with no problem, but he feels he’s not ready yet for the step up to the Premier League,” Postecoglu said of the central defender’s situation. “And after losing Radu (Dragusin), I’m not going to risk these guys.”

While no one comes off the injured list for this weekend, the Australian hopes that a couple guys will for the following weekend.

“We’re still hopeful we’ll get at least two or maybe three back for the Man United game,” Postecoglou said.

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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Tottenham Hotspur are in deep, deep trouble, in the Premier League, but at least they’re looking pretty good in the UEFA Europa League. IF Elfsborg come to town on Thursday, and this match provides a good chance for a win for the very much under-fire Ange Postecoglu.

And at this point, Tottenham will take any win they can get, in any way shape or form.

UEFA Europa League Matchday 8 of 8

Tottenham Hotspur vs IF Elfsborg

Kickoff: Thurs. Jan. 30, 8pm, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Tottenham Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction

UCL Standings, Form: Tottenham Hotspur 6th, 14 pts, WLDDW IF Elfsborg 20th, 10 pts, LDLWW

Postecoglu will no doubt be given the chance to manage the team in the EFL Cup semifinals, regardless of what happens to the side in other competitions.

Spurs are up on the mighty mighty Liverpool FC in that one, 1-0 after the first leg, so with a realistic chance at a trophy, which doesn’t happen at THFC very often, it’s doubtful they’ll make a change before the second leg.

Spurs are currently slotted to go through to the next round of the UEL, without a playoff. But they’ll need a result here in order to stay in that position. Meanwhile IF Elfsborg are in the UEL playoff qualification slots, but they’ll need a result here in order to stay there.

So this should be a fiercely contested battle, as there is a lot on the line.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction vs IF Elfsborg

Antonin Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Radu Drăgușin, Archie Gray; Will Lankshear; Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr; Mikey Moore, Dejan Kulusevski; Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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When Ange Postecoglu fills out his team sheet at TSG 1889 Hoffenheim, or just Hoffenheim for short, he’ll just have to make do with what he has. Spurs are enduring a season-long injury crisis that is on par with, or maybe even worse than, Newcastle United and/or Chelsea last season.

UEFA Europa League Matchday 7 of 8

Tottenham Hotspur at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

Kickoff: Thursday, Jan. 23, 5:45pm, Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Tottenham Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction

UEL Standing: Tottenham Hotspur 9th, 11 pts TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 26th, 6 pts,

UEL Form: Tottenham Hotspur WWLDD TSG 1899 Hoffenheim WLDLD

Injury after injury after injury has left Spurs in a place that in the Premier League table much closer to relegation than to UEFA competition qualification. The only reason this isn’t getting more attention is Manchester United. They are equally awful, if not more so.

Spurs have to be thankful for United, and their misery overshadowing Spurs’ mess.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction at Hoffenheim

Fraser Forster, Ben Davies, Radu Drăgușin, Archie Gray; Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr; James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski; Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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While Tottenham Hotspur have gotten results in the domestic cup competitions lately, they have just been atrocious in the Premier League. They’ll enter the trip to Everton FC sitting 14th in the table and having lost four of their last five fixtures, with the other result being a draw.

They are far out of contention from qualifying for any of the UEFA competition slots for next season.

Tottenham Hotspur at Everton FC FYIs

Tottenham Preview Material: Starting XI Prediction Team News

At least their opponent on Sunday are an even bigger mess, as Everton FC sit further down the table than Spurs. So that should help in the cause of ending this dry patch.

Tottenham will also get to play their second choice goalkeeper for this one, instead of their third string option, which has been the case lately.

Fraser Forster has now resumed training, so he should be good to go for this one. Ben Davies is back in training too, so he might be available for selection as well.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction at Everton FC

Fraser Forster, Pedro Porro, Radu Drăgușin, Archie Gray, Djed Spence, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Dominick Solanke, Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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To anyone who isn’t a Tottenham Hotspur supporter, what happened on Saturday was nothing short of hilarious. Yes, they did beat fourth tier side Morecambe FC in the FA Cup 3-0, but they needed extra time to do it. Being goalless and level with a League Two club, after 90 mins, is indeed very funny (which again, provided of course you’re not a Tottenham fan). No matter how you look at that result, it is not the way you want to head into the North London Derby.

North London Derby FYIs

Kickoff: Jan. 15, 2025, at 8pm UK at Emirates Stadium

Team News: Tottenham Arsenal

Starting XI Prediction: Arsenal Tottenham

Google Result Probability: Arsenal 70% Draw 17% Tottenham 13%

PL Position, Form Guide: Arsenal 2nd, 40 pts DWWWD Tottenham 12th, 23 pts WLLDL

However, there is no longer any time to think about it now, as the North London Derby is almost here. So with that mind, let’s take a look at the first team prediction.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction (North London Derby)

Antonin Kinský, Pedro Porro, Radu Drăgușin, Archie Gray, Djed Spence, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Dominick Solanke, Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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It has now been confirmed, by Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglu that Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a concussion last week.

All things considered, this is very good news, as that was absolutely an extremely scary scene last week, in the EFL Cup semifinal leg one win over Liverpool.

North London Derby FYIs

Kickoff: Jan. 15, 2025, at 8pm UK at Emirates Stadium

Team News: Tottenham Arsenal

Starting XI Prediction: Arsenal Tottenham

Google Result Probability: Arsenal 70% Draw 17% Tottenham 13%

PL Position, Form Guide: Arsenal 2nd, 40 pts DWWWD Tottenham 12th, 23 pts WLLDL

Spurs Team News

“Good news,” Postecoglu said. “He was in hospital and did all the tests to make sure everything is OK. All good. He’s back home, and he’s fine. He is feeling good… Thankfully, it looks like a concussion and nothing more than it.”

So Bentancur will now enter the concussion protocol, and while he’ll miss the North London Derby on Wednesday, we’ll just have to wait and re-assess after that.

There is even better news, when it comes to No. 2 goalkeeper Fraser Forster. With the No. 1 shot-stopper out, he is the current first choice, but he’s battling an illness.

It sounds like he could possibly be in contention here.

Finally, the long-term injury concerns, Spurs have plenty of those, and from just the hamstring/thigh area alone. The group contains Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison.

Of that group, the last name that we mentioned there will be the first to return, but none of them will be back for this game, or even the next.

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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Tottenham Hotspur travel to Tamworth FC on Saturday for a FA Cup clash that will see the North Londoners take on the 16th place team in the National League, the fifth tier of the FA pyramid.

So if you’re aware of Spurs’ current position in the table, and you’re scoring at home (for your sake, I really hope what you’re doing at home is a lot better than scoring The Sports Bank articles) that is a difference of 96 slots in the grand scheme of things.

FA Cup 3rd Round FYIs

Tottenham Hotspur vs Tamworth

Kickoff: Sun. Jan. 12, 12:30pm, The Lamb Ground, Tamford, Stratfordshire, UK

Tottenham Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction

That disparity is the most for this specific round of this edition of the FA Cup, but it is not unprecedented; not even for Spurs. Remember the tiny club in Liverpool known as Marine?

They welcomed in Spurs for a tie in this round of the competition almost 4 years to the day.

That match is believed to be the biggest slot disparity ever, as Marine and Tottenham sat 161 places apart at the time. And Marine almost took a lead on Spurs too, as they had a shot on goal bang off the crossbar while it was still scoreless.

That said, let’s just get to the first team prediction. As it’s a Premier League side versus a fifth tier team, Spurs will play a lot of kids and reserves here.

They are playing their third choice goalkeeper out of necessity, and not by choice here. But this is the perfect match to be doing so.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction at Tamworth (FA Cup)

Antonin Kinsky; Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Alfie Dorrington, Sergio Reguilon; Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall; James Maddison, Luca Williams-Barnett, Mikey Moore; Will Lankshear

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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There was a major scare for Tottenham Hotspur, and their overall community yesterday, as midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur had to be stretchered off during the first half of their 1-0 win over Liverpool last night. Bentancur collapsed on the pitch and lost consciousness during the first leg of their EFL Cup semifinal tie. Later on, a statement from Tottenham indicated that Bentancur was “conscious, talking and will go to hospital for further checks.”

Thursday brought an even more positive update, with Bentancur taking to social media to post a photo of himself, with the message: “All good, guys! Thank you for the messages!!! Congratulations for the victory boys!!!”

FA Cup 3rd Round FYIs

Tottenham Hotspur vs Tamworth

Kickoff: Sun. Jan. 12, 12:30pm, Tamford, Stratfordshire, UK

Tottenham Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction

Fun Fact: This is just the second FA Cup tie ever against a top flight side for Tamworth. Their first was a loss to David Moyes’ Everton in 2011-12.

Spurs Team News

So the overall big picture sounds better for Bentancur, but he will obviously not feature on Sunday at Tamworth. Not much detail, about the specific condition that afflicts Bentancur, is out there right now. Shifting gears to Fraser Forster, the backup goalkeeper is still battling an unspecified illness, and is doubtful for this one.

He probably shouldn’t be risked against a side from the National League anyway.

Finally, Richarlison remains out, long-term, but Ange Postecoglu gave an update on the Brazilian yesterday, saying:

“With what happened before, the whole plan for him was to get a solid couple of weeks of training, and next week should be his second week.”

So he could feature towards the end of this month.

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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New Year, new you, right? It is the season for New Year’s resolutions, and that means everyone tries to believe that they now have a clean slate to work with, and that a chance to set, and hopefully reach, new goals. For Tottenham Hotspur that all starts with a visit from Newcastle United.

Tottenham Hotspur at Newcastle United FYIs

Kick: Saturday, Jan 4, 2025 12:30 PM, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London UK

Team News for Both Sides: go here

Starting XI Predictions: Tottenham Newcastle

PL Standing: Tottenham Hotspur 11th, 24 pts Newcastle United 5th, 32 pts

Form Guide: Tottenham LWLLD Newcastle LWWWW

Google Result Probability: Tottenham Hotspur 33% Newcastle United 42% Draw 25%

Pulling off an upset win here would be huge for boosting morale. What starting lineup puts the best foot forward? How does Ange Postecoglu lead with strength from the off?

We’re guessing that this below is answer.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction

Fraser Forster; Pedro Porro, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Djed Spence; Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Mater Sarr, James Maddison; Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Heung-Min Son

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”

He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.

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