Sports Mole

Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women will be looking to secure derby bragging rights when they face off in Saturday's Women's Super League clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Gunners are sitting in fourth place in the WSL table, while Spurs will head into the weekend in seventh position.

Match preview

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Tottenham will be underwhelmed with their overall performance, having won two, drawn one and lost four of their seven top-flight matches.

After taking four points from their first two games, Spurs went on to lose three consecutive WSL matches before they halted that poor run of form with a 2-1 home win over West Ham United.

Unfortunately for Spurs, they were unable to build upon that result in last Friday's meeting with Manchester City as they fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat at the Joie Stadium.

That result represented a third consecutive away defeat in the WSL, extending their winless run on the road to six top-flight matches.

Having struggled on their travels, Tottenham may be pleased to have home advantage for the North London Derby, with the hosts looking to replicate the 1-0 win they recorded over Arsenal in their most recent home meeting in December 2023.

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Arsenal will head into the weekend in a confident mood after enjoying an upturn in fortunes under the watch of interim boss Renee Slegers.

The 35-year-old has won four and drawn one of her five matches in charge since she stepped up from her role as assistant manager following Jonas Eidevall's dismissal.

Slegers kicked off her tenure with victories over Valerenga and West Ham United in the Women's Champions League and WSL respectively.

After seeing her team held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United, Slegers's side returned to winning ways with a dominant 5-0 league win over Brighton & Hove Albion and a commanding 4-0 victory in Wednesday's European away clash with Juventus.

Having scored 18 goals across Slegers's five games in charge, Arsenal will be looking to showcase their firepower against a Tottenham side that currently holds the worst defensive record in the WSL.

Tottenham Hotspur Women Women's Super League form:

Tottenham Hotspur Women form (all competitions):

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

Team News

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Tottenham are still unable to call upon Amanda Nilden, Maite Oroz and Kit Graham due to their respective injury issues.

Amy James-Turner and Hayley Raso could be considered for starting spots after they returned from injury to feature as substitutes against Man City.

Martha Thomas came off the bench to play over half an hour against the Citizens, and the Scotland international could now be given the chance to lead the line against Arsenal.

As for the Gunners, they are unable to call upon midfielder Victoria Pelova, who is sidelined with a long-term knee injury.

Mariona Caldentey is pushing for a starting spot after coming off the bench to register a goal and an assist against Juventus in midweek.

England international Alessia Russo will continue to lead the line, having scored in Arsenal's last two league games against Manchester United and Brighton.

Tottenham Hotspur Women possible starting lineup:

Spencer; Morris, Bartrip, James-Turner, Buhler, Neville; Raso, Summanen, Spence, Naz; Thomas

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Walti, Little; Mead, Maanum, Foord; Russo

We say: Tottenham Hotspur Women 1-3 Arsenal Women

Arsenal have been in fine goalscoring form since Slegers took over the reins on an interim basis, and we think they will produce another free-scoring display to get the better of a Tottenham side that have conceded a minimum of three goals in four of their last five matches.

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

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Real Madrid have reportedly identified Al-Nassr centre-back Aymeric Laporte and Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro as two of their top defensive targets for 2025.

Los Blancos are currently dealing with an injury crisis in their backline, with Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao set to miss the rest of the season.

Carvajal sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the closing stages of last month's 2-0 win over Villarreal.

Carlo Ancelotti were dealt another major blow when Militao sustained the same injury as Carvajal in Saturday's 4-0 victory against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In addition to those major blows, David Alaba is still working his way back from an ACL injury, while Lucas Vazquez is set to miss three weeks with a muscular issue.

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Real Madrid identify Laporte and Porro as top transfer targets

Having seen their defence hit by several injuries, Real Madrid are scouring the market for potential defensive reinforcements for 2025.

According to Relevo, Real Madrid's search has led them to identify Laporte and Porro as two of their top transfer targets to strengthen their backline.

Real Madrid CEO Jose Angel Sanchez has identified Porro as a potential right-back option, with Carvajal and Vazquez both in their 30s and entering the latter stages of their careers.

However, the report suggests it will be difficult to negotiate a deal with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, especially with Porro under contract until the summer of 2028.

As for Laporte, Real Madrid are aware that it will be difficult to prise him away from Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.

The Saudi Arabian side will be reluctant to part ways with one of their star names, even if it was just for a sixth-month loan deal to provide cover in Militao's absence.

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Why are Real Madrid targeting Laporte and Porro?

Laporte may be playing his club football in the Saudi Pro League, but he proved during Spain's Euro 2024 success that he can still operate at a high level.

The 30-year-old also boasts significant experience of winning silverware from his time as Man City where he won multiple honours, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown.

As a left-footed centre-back, Laporte would be able to slot seamlessly into the backline alongside Germany international Antonio Rudiger.

Meanwhile, Porro has seemingly impressed Real Madrid with his performances for Tottenham this season, with the defender regarded as one of the key players in Ange Postecoglou's side.

The 25-year-old has started all 11 of Tottenham Premier League matches this term, contributing to their offensive efforts with one goal and one assist.

Real Madrid continue to hold an interest in Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, but they could still move for Porro even if they sign the England international.

Porro and Laporte are set to represent Spain in their upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Denmark and Switzerland.

Real Madrid will be keeping a close eye on their performances as they weigh up whether to step up their interest in 2025.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Manchester City winger Jack Grealish as a potential January transfer target.

While positives can be taken from some of the aspects of Spurs' play under Ange Postecoglou, they are ultimately under-performing.

A total of five defeats have been posted in 11 Premier League fixtures during 2024-25, leaving them down in 10th position in the table.

Reports are suggesting that acquiring at least one new centre-back will be the priority once the market reopens at the turn of the year.

Nevertheless, it appears that the North Londoners also have a surprise name on their radar as they bid to secure more variety in the final third.

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Grealish placed on Spurs shortlist?

According to Football Insider, Spurs are contemplating whether to make an ambitious approach for Grealish at some point in 2025.

Injury and form have restricted the 29-year-old to just six starts and four substitute outings in all competitions this season.

Grealish's only assists came within four days of each other, against Watford in the EFL Cup and Newcastle United in the Premier League at the back end of September.

The England international has also not featured since October 17 due to injury, Pep Guardiola having now barely benefitted from Grealish being a part of his squad for nearly 18 months.

Just three goals and three assists were contributed throughout the entirety of the 2023-24 season, and a combination of the aforementioned factors leave him at risk of being made available for transfer.

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Would Guardiola consider a January exit?

Despite all of those factors, Pep Guardiola is highly likely to be against a January exit unless he can find a suitable replacement.

The Spaniard's squad has been hit by injuries over the past two months, contributing to four successive defeats being posted in all competitions ahead of the international break.

Spurs allegedly want to sign Grealish for his ball-carrying skills and ability to slow down the pace of games, the latter in particular something that is lacking at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

That said, Guardiola could also value the same qualities and City do not have to be in a rush or part ways with Grealish courtesy of his contract running until 2027.

Ange Postecoglou's position as manager of Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly not in danger after his team were defeated 2-1 by Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday.

The 59-year-old and his players were booed after the full-time whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with fans lamenting the lack of consistency that has plagued the team since the Australian's appointment in June 2023.

Spurs had beaten both champions Manchester City 2-1 on October 30 in the EFL Cup and Aston Villa 4-1 in their following match on November 3, but in the past week they lost 3-2 in the Europa League against Galatasaray and 2-1 against Ipswich.

Postecoglou's side are now 10th in the Premier League with 16 points after 11 matchweeks, but are only in the top half of table thanks to having better goal difference than Brentford.

However, Football Insider report that the manager has plenty of credit in the bank and has the support of officials at the club as he tries to drive Tottenham up the table.

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Defensive concerns

Spurs' defeat against Ipswich was their fifth of the Premier League season and was also the second time they had lost against a winless opponent having been beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace in late October.

One area of concern in regard to Tottenham in recent seasons has been their defensive frailty, with the club having five clean sheets in their last 40 top-flight matches.

The Australian has also come in for criticism after his comments in the aftermath of his side's 1-0 loss against rivals Arsenal in September, saying that he always wins trophies in his second season in charge.

"I'll correct myself - I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed," he told reporters in the after the North London derby defeat when asked if he stood by his claims.

While his claims highlighted his immense self-belief, some found his remarks to be off-putting considering Spurs have not won a trophy since beating Chelsea in the EFL Cup final in 2008 and other managers such as the legendary Jose Mourinho have failed to bring silverware to the club.

If he were to be sacked, Postecoglou would become the fifth manager to have been dismissed from the Tottenham bench in the last five years, but the list of potential replacements looks increasingly thin given the likes of Ruben Amorim and Thomas Tuchel are off the table.

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Young and promising squad

Perhaps the Australian deserves some leniency for his side's inconsistencies, especially as he has built a remarkably promising young squad that would naturally experience peaks and troughs over the course of their development.

Indeed, many of his core players such as Dejan Kulusevski, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie are 24 years old or younger.

Summer signing Archie Gray is regarded by some as possessing immense potential, but he is only set to celebrate his 19th birthday in March 2025.

Additionally, despite the youth and inexperience in his squad, Postecoglou has already managed to produce a formidable attacking side, with the team top of the Premier League's goalscoring charts having netted 23 times this campaign.

There is no doubt that Spurs will need to fix address their defensive issues, either on the training ground or in the transfer market, but the 2024-25 season still has a long way to go and they are only three points from fourth-placed Arsenal as well as third-placed Chelsea.

Both aiming to recover from recent setbacks, Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town face off in Sunday's Premier League contest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Ange Postecoglou's team lost 3-2 to Galatasaray in Thursday's Europa League showdown, while the visitors were painfully denied win number one of the Premier League season in a 1-1 draw with Leicester City, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs. IPSWICH TOWN

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Wilson Odobert (thigh), Micky van de Ven (thigh), Richarlison (hamstring)

Doubtful: Cristian Romero (toe), Timo Werner (groin), Djed Spence (groin), Mikey Moore (illness)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son

IPSWICH TOWN

Out: Kalvin Phillips (suspended), Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles), Axel Tuanzebe (hand), Jacob Greaves (thigh), Jack Taylor (unspecified), Janoi Donacien (ankle)

Doubtful: None

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Muric; Johnson, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Hutchinson, Chaplin, Clarke; Delap

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

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified a La Liga alternative to key player Pedro Porro.

Ever since initially linking up with Spurs in January 2023, the right-back has been a key player of the starting lineup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A total of eight goals and 11 assists have come from 66 appearances in all competitions to establish himself as one of the best right-backs in the Premier League.

However, such has been the 25-year-old's development that he will naturally attract interest from elsewhere, particularly when Spurs are lower down the Premier League table than they would have anticipated.

In recent weeks, Porro has been mentioned as a potential target for Real Madrid at a time when Los Blancos are looking for both competition and a long-term successor to the currently injured Dani Carvajal.

Reports have indicated that Trent Alexander-Arnold may leave Liverpool for the Bernabeu on a free transfer at the end of the season, yet that will not be determined until he makes a decision on his future.

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Which La Liga right-back is interesting Spurs?

According to Fichajes, the North Londoners have started to monitor the progression of Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Ratiu.

The Romania international has made a total of 10 starts in La Liga this season, either as a right-back or in a right-midfield role.

Most notably, his solitary assist came in the 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid earlier in the campaign to add to his stock after making four starts for his country at Euro 2024.

Vallecano are protected by the 26-year-old having a contract until 2028, yet they may encouraged to cash in on a player who has limited experience in top divisions should a suitable offer be made.

That said, Vallecano are competing at the right-end of the La Liga table in 2024-25, missing the chance to go seventh after losing to Las Palmas on Friday night.

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What are Postecoglou's other options?

If Spurs were to sell Porro, it would not be by choice given the impact that the former Sporting Lisbon player has had since his arrival.

Nevertheless, as well as being able to recoup a substantial fee for his signature, head coach Ange Postecoglou already has Archie Gray as a potential replacement.

The young Englishman may be destined for a career in central-midfield, but he proved at Leeds United that he is capable of being effective at full-back.

Ange Postecoglou and Kieran McKenna embrace one another on the touchline this weekend, as Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town scrap it out for crucial Premier League points on Sunday.

Spurs crushed Aston Villa 4-1 last weekend to move into seventh place in the top-flight table, but they subsequently lost their perfect Europa League record in a 3-2 reverse to Galatasaray in midweek.

Meanwhile, the Tractor Boys are still without a single Premier League success after 10 games this season, although they were seconds away from ending that hoodoo last weekend, only to succumb to a last minute-leveller in a 1-1 draw with Leicester City.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 53

Spurs wins: 24

Draws: 8

Ipswich wins: 21

One of the less familiar clashes in English football, Tottenham and Ipswich did not cross paths in a competitive setting until 1961, and there have now been 53 showdowns between the Lilywhites and the Tractor Boys in all tournaments.

Neither side has dominated the other over the past 60 years, as Tottenham's record of 24 wins is only marginally better than Ipswich's haul of 21 successes, and another eight showdowns have seen the points evenly split.

However, before bowing out of the Premier League in the 2001-02 campaign, Ipswich made themselves a bogey team of Tottenham's, winning three top-flight games on the bounce between December 2000 and January 2002.

The latter contest saw Tottenham suffer an early injury blow to Les Ferdinand before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat, in which Gustavo Poyet's strike proved to be a mere consolation, and their White Hart Lane battle earlier that season also ended in a 2-1 Tractor Boys' success.

Not since August 2000 have Tottenham managed to overcome Ipswich in the top flight, where Ferdinand, Darren Anderton and Stephen Carr were among the scorers in a 3-1 home triumph, their third win on the bounce in this fixture before Ipswich strung together their own three-game victorious sequence.

Should McKenna's men upset the odds and prevail at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend, it will mark the first time in history that they have beaten the Lilywhites in four successive league contests, and Spurs' 30% win rate against Ipswich in the Premier League is their worst against non-ever present teams.

A trophy was on the line in just the third meeting between Tottenham and Ipswich in the 1962 Charity Shield, but it was not much of a contest in truth, as Jimmy Greaves scored twice in a 5-1 Spurs success.

The legendary Tottenham striker is by far and away the highest scorer in this fixture with a total of 13 goals against Ipswich, while Alan Brazil - who played for both clubs - had six to his name.

Previous meetings

Jan 12, 2002: Ipswich 2-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 22, 2001: Spurs 1-2 Ipswich (Premier League)

Dec 30, 2000: Ipswich 3-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Aug 19, 2000: Spurs 3-1 Ipswich (Premier League)

Mar 08, 1995: Spurs 3-0 Ipswich (Premier League)

Aug 30, 1994: Ipswich 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Mar 19, 1994: Spurs 1-1 Ipswich (Premier League)

Jan 29, 1994: Ipswich 3-0 Tottenham (FA Cup Fourth Round)

Sep 26, 1993: Ipswich 2-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Jan 27, 1993: Spurs 0-2 Ipswich (Premier League)

Aug 30, 1992: Ipswich 1-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 21, 1985: Spurs 2-0 Ipswich (First Division)

Aug 24, 1985: Ipswich 1-0 Spurs (First Division)

Apr 20, 1985: Spurs 2-3 Ipswich (First Division)

Nov 17, 1984: Ipswich 0-3 Spurs (First Division)

Jan 14, 1984: Spurs 2-0 Ipswich (First Division)

Aug 27, 1983: Ipswich 3-1 Spurs (First Division)

Apr 16, 1983: Spurs 3-1 Ipswich (First Division)

Aug 31, 1982: Ipswich 1-2 Spurs (First Division)

May 17, 1982: Ipswich 2-1 Spurs (First Division)

Last 10 Premier League meetings

Jan 12, 2002: Ipswich 2-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 22, 2001: Spurs 1-2 Ipswich (Premier League)

Dec 30, 2000: Ipswich 3-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Aug 19, 2000: Spurs 3-1 Ipswich (Premier League)

Mar 08, 1995: Spurs 3-0 Ipswich (Premier League)

Aug 30, 1994: Ipswich 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Mar 19, 1994: Spurs 1-1 Ipswich (Premier League)

Sep 26, 1993: Ipswich 2-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Jan 27, 1993: Spurs 0-2 Ipswich (Premier League)

Aug 30, 1992: Ipswich 1-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Read more on Spurs vs Ipswich

Reeling from their first negative result in Europe this season, Tottenham Hotspur seek an immediate return to triumphant ways at home to Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.

Ange Postecoglou oversaw a 3-2 Europa League loss to Galatasaray during the week, while the Tractor Boys were cruelly denied their first win of the season in a 1-1 draw with Leicester City.

Match preview

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Nine points from nine available did not become 12 from 12 for Tottenham on Thursday evening, as Postecoglou's rotated side were subjected to a barrage of attacks from a relentless Galatasaray unit and deservedly travelled back from Turkey with nothing to show for their efforts.

However, the Lilywhites came out on the correct end of a five-goal scoreline in their most recent Premier League affair, fighting back from a goal down to decimate Aston Villa 4-1 in North London, where Dominic Solanke stole the show with two strikes as James Maddison and Brennan Johnson also got in on the act.

While that emphatic success boosted Spurs' continental prospects for 2025-26, the Lilywhites are still far from where they aspire to be in the top-flight standings, currently residing in seventh place with a two-point gap to make up to all of Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Spurs are safe in the knowledge that at least one of Chelsea or Arsenal will drop points in Sunday's headline act, and the thrashing of Villa extended a marvellous home sequence for Postecoglou's team, who have won each of their last six at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In that time, Tottenham have demonstrated their renewed commitment to free-flowing attacking football by scoring at least three times against Brentford, West Ham United and Aston Villa, despite conceding the first goal in every single one of those matches.

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Tottenham could now become the first-ever Premier League team to win four consecutive home games after going behind in each of them, and upcoming foes Ipswich have recent when it comes to failing to hang onto slender leads in the top flight.

Kieran McKenna's men were mere seconds away from making it 10th time lucky in the top flight last weekend, where Leif Davis's exquisite volley preceded Cameron Burgess's heroic goal-line block from Jordan Ayew, but the Foxes forward was not to be denied again as he broke Tractor Boys' hearts deep into injury time.

Now just one of two teams in the Premier League still winless after 10 matches in 2024-25 - sharing that fate with basement boys Wolverhampton Wanderers - the newly-promoted visitors sit 18th but are within one victory of safety thanks to their quintet of draws.

Sunday's clash will also be the third London trip on the spin for Ipswich, who conceded four goals to West Ham and Brentford in their last two unsuccessful visits to the English capital, but not since 1964 have they let in four or more goals in three straight top-flight away matches.

The head-to-head record also favours the side from Suffolk, who have beaten Spurs in each of their last three Premier League matches, but their last competitive battle came all the way back in the 2001-02 campaign; Tottenham eased to a 3-0 friendly win in the summer of 2020.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Ipswich Town Premier League form:

Team News

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Tottenham's thumping of Villa last weekend came at a significant cost, as Richarlison pulled his hamstring while setting up Solanke's goal and is expected to be out until December, while Cristian Romero hurt his toe and had to come off as well.

Postecoglou has not ruled Romero out of Sunday's game just yet, though, while Timo Werner (groin), Djed Spence (groin) and Mikey Moore (illness) are also on the touch-and-go list, but Wilson Odobert (hamstring) and Micky van de Ven (hamstring) are definitely out.

Will Lankshear's red card in Europe also means nothing for the Premier League, but £65m man Solanke is sure to return to the attacking trident; no Premier League player has applied more pressures than his 212 in the final third this season.

However, Kalvin Phillips's sending-off against Leicester for two bookable offences means that the Manchester City loanee will have to sit out Sunday's game through suspension; Jens Cajuste and Massimo Luongo are scrapping it out to deputise for him.

Defender Harry Clarke is leaving the naughty step after serving his own suspension, though, while Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles), Axel Tuanzebe (hand), Jacob Greaves (thigh), Jack Taylor (unspecified) and Janoi Donacien (ankle) will miss out through injury.

A product of the Tottenham Hotspur academy ranks for three seasons, attacker Jack Clarke is at the head of the queue for promotion from the Ipswich bench this weekend, where he could very well replace Sammie Szmodics or Conor Chaplin to face his former employers.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Muric; Johnson, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Hutchinson, Chaplin, Clarke; Delap

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Ipswich Town

McKenna's men almost always carry a threat in the final third and can ask questions of a Spurs backline that is far from watertight, but the hosts' quality at the other end of the pitch should tell eventually.

A repeat of last weekend's 4-1 crushing of Villa is not beyond the realm of possibility, and Ipswich's excruciating wait for their first success of the season will surely go on.

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

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Having finally been conquered in the Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur endeavour to right the wrongs of Thursday evening on Sunday afternoon against Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

Ange Postecoglou's troops lost their 100% continental record with a 3-2 loss away to Galatasaray in midweek, succumbing to a Victor Osimhen brace and a sensational Yunus Akgun volley.

However, the Lilywhites were on the correct end of a five-goal thriller in their last Premier League affair, crushing Aston Villa 4-1 last weekend to move up to seventh place in the top-flight table.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Tottenham's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their showdown with the Tractor Boys, who were held to an agonising 1-1 draw with Leicester City in gameweek 10.

Timo Werner

© Imago

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Groin

Possible return date: November 10 (vs. Ipswich)

Postecoglou revealed before Thursday's defeat that Timo Werner did not make the journey due to a groin concern, although his issue is not overly severe, and there is a chance that he will be back in the ranks here.

Cristian Romero

© Imago

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Toe

Possible return date: November 10 (vs. Ipswich)

Cristian Romero suffered a toe injury during the win over Villa last weekend and was not available to face Galatasaray in the week, but Postecoglou has insisted that he remains in with a chance of being fit for the weekend.

Richarlison

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: December 5 (vs. Bournemouth)

In contrast, Richarlison is believed to be facing at least four weeks out with the hamstring injury he picked up in the process of setting up Dominic Solanke's second goal of the night last weekend.

Micky van de Ven

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: November 23 (vs. Manchester City)

Succumbing to another hamstring injury almost exactly 12 months after his severe problem last season, Micky van de Ven was a casualty of the 2-1 EFL Cup win over Manchester City but could return in time to take on the champions after the international break.

Djed Spence

© Imago

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Groin

Possible return date: November 10 (vs. Ipswich)

Once again, Djed Spence did not make the cut in midweek due to a groin problem, and it remains to be seen if the right-back will shake off the issue in time to play a part on Sunday.

Wilson Odobert

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Wilson Odobert had just battled back from one hamstring problem before succumbing to another one, and Postecoglou does not know when he will be able to call upon the winger again.

Mikey Moore

© Imago

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Illness

Possible return date: November 10 (vs. Ipswich)

Fellow attacking protege Mikey Moore did not board the flight to Turkey in midweek owing to an illness, but the 17-year-old will likely have recovered in time to be a part of the squad on Sunday.

TOTTENHAM'S SUSPENSION LIST

Tottenham have no players suspended for this match, as Will Lankshear's ban for the red card he picked up against Galatasaray only applies to Europa League games.

No Data Analysis info

Tottenham Hotspur have dropped points for the first time in the Europa League this season, falling to a 3-2 defeat away to Galatasaray in Istanbul.

It took the hosts just five minutes to open the scoring, as former Leicester City winger Yunus Akgun's emphatic effort nestled in the top corner, just out of Fraser Forster's reach in the Spurs goal.

Will Lankshear's first Tottenham goal brought Ange Postecoglou's side level shortly after, but the visitor's backline fell to pieces late in the first half.

Victor Osimhen netted twice in eight first-half minutes as Gala raced into a 3-1 lead, and had endless opportunities to extend that advantage after the interval.

An absolutely astonishing opening to the second half saw Spurs swamped constantly, conceding possession time and time again on the edge of the box, as Gala had seven or eight gilt-edged chances in a 15-minute period, but somehow failed to convert any of them.

Lankshear's night ended on a sour note as two quick bookings for the young striker saw the away side reduced to 10 men, but complacency set in for Okan Buruk's side as Dominic Solanke came off the bench to pull one back for the visitors, and made it a nervy final 20 minutes.

More chances came Galatasaray's way, but they looked a level below compared to how they played in the opening hour, and limped over the line in the end to win 3-2.

The win takes Gala top of the Europa League standings on goal difference with the 8pm matches still to be played, while Spurs have dropped to fifth following their first defeat on the continent this season.

GALATASARAY VS. TOTTENHAM HIGHLIGHTS

Akgun goal vs. Tottenham (6th min, Galatasaray 1-0 Tottenham)

The Ali Sami Yen erupts! Akgun recovers possession for Galatasaray on the edge of the area, and his audacious effort flashes past Forster, who got fingers to it, but was incapable of keeping the strike out.

Lankshear goal vs. Galatasaray (18th min, Galatasaray 1-1 Tottenham)

A moment Lankshear will never forget! Fine build-up play involving Son Heung-min and Archie Gray sees the latter float a pass in behind for Brennan Johnson, and the winger squares to give the young striker the simplest of finishes to equalise for Tottenham.

Osimhen goal vs. Tottenham (31st min, Galatasaray 2-1 Tottenham)

It is another Europa League nightmare for Radu Dragusin, who is caught in possession by Akgun, before Dries Mertens threads a ball through for Osimhen, and his poked finish finds the bottom corner beyond Forster.

Osimhen goal vs. Tottenham (39th min, Galatasaray 3-1 Tottenham)

Osimhen at the double! Spurs ignore the earlier warning signs that saw the Gala striker ghost into acres of space before being denied by Forster, as he latches onto the end of Mertens's superb delivery to extend the home side's advantage.

Lankshear red card vs. Galatasaray (60th min, Galatasaray 3-1 Tottenham)

On what looked to be a memorable night for young Lankshear, it has turned to disaster as the 19-year-old is dismissed for a second yellow card after a rash challenge on Gabriel Sara.

Solanke goal vs. Galatasaray (69th min, Galatasaray 3-2 Tottenham)

A remarkable turn of events sees substitute Solanke make an instant impact, only three minutes after coming on, as the Spurs striker shows good feet to deftly flick home beyond Fernando Muslera from Pedro Porro's cross

MAN OF THE MATCH - DRIES MERTENS

© Imago

Osimhen will make the headlines for his brilliance brace, but Mertens was the man who assisted both of those goals, with the cross for Galatasaray's third goal being the pass of the night by some distance, and he continued to be a creative threat throughout as Gala bombarded the Spurs goal.

GALATASARAY VS. TOTTENHAM MATCH STATS

Possession: Galatasaray 54% - 46% Tottenham

Shots: Galatasaray 28 - 5 Tottenham

Shots on target: Galatasaray 10 - 3 Tottenham

Corners: Galatasaray 8 - 0 Tottenham

Fouls: Galatasaray 14 - 10 Tottenham

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Spurs will look to maintain their fine recent domestic form when they welcome Ipswich Town to North London on Sunday, while Galatasaray face Super Lig overachievers Samsunspor here, in a meeting of Turkey's top two so far.

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