Tottenham will welcome Sheffield United to London this Saturday, with the hosts looking to continue their unbeaten start to the 2023/24 Premier League season under Ange Posteclogue.
The Australian tactician has overseen a strong start for Spurs in the PL, with wins over Man United, Fulham and Burnley placing his side inside the top four places in the league.
They will welcome Sheffield United to North London, looking to repeat their huge result over fellow newly promoted side Burnley, who they whipped 5-2 just before the international break.
But can they record such a win against Sheffield, or will the Blades make it back-to-back games without defeat in the PL after their 2-2 draw with Everton last time out?
Pre-match Stats
- Tottenham have won their opening two home Premier League (PL) games in each of the last two seasons.
- They have won seven of their last ten home league games (D1, L2).
- The hosts have scored 2+ goals in seven of their last ten home league matches.
- Tottenham have kept five clean sheets in their last ten home matches
- Sheffield United have failed to win any of their last five competitive matches (D2, L3).
- The Blades have won just two of their last 26 PL road trips (D3, L21).
- They have three wins (D3, L4) against Spurs in the PL era.
Match Preview
The Ange Posteclogue era at Tottenham seem to have finally hit a crescendo just before the international break as the north London club recorded a 5-2 win at Turf Moor to keep their domestic season unbeaten after four games.
With eleven goals scored and four conceded in four games, Tottenham fans are beginning to believe that this could be the coach that brings them back to the top four after their recent poor form, which led to a sacking spree.
As it stands, Posteclogue has the backing of Spurs fans and players, with the ten points his team have won so far only bettered by Manchester City.
He even has the advantage of not being involved in any weekend games. His side is neither in the domestic cup games nor in Europe. So, his side have the advantage of being able to focus solely on domestic league football.
Having beaten Manchester United 2-0 in front of the home fans, Postecoglou will be hoping for another positive home outing as he attempts to continue their tradition of winning their opening two home Premier League games, having done so in each of the last two seasons.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United will look to build on their 2-2 draw against Everton at Bramall Lane just before the international break.
The Blades have found their return to the top flight too harsh to bear, with the aforementioned 2-2 draw their only point since returning to the PL (W3).
Their points return probably isn’t that much of a surprise after the summer transfer window was overshadowed by the sale of key men rather than notable incomings. Probably the most worrying aspect in their early season record for boss Paul Heckingbottom is the fact three of those games came at home, a place all PL newcomers see as their best chance of picking up points.
That sentiment probably rings even truer for the Blades, who have notoriously struggled away from home in the top flight, winning just two of their last 26 PL road trips (D3, L21). But having knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup last season, albeit at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United will hope they hold a slight psychological edge.
Team News
Ange Posteclogue has a few injury worries, with Bryan Gil, Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Bentancur and Giovanni Lo Celso the significant injury absentees.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United have Rhian Brewster, Max Lowe, Ben Osborne and John Fleck all on the treatment table.
Predicted Lineups
predicted Tottenham Lineup: Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, Heung-Min Son.
Predicted Sheffield United Lineup: Wesley Foderingham, Anel Ahmedhodzic, John Egan, Jack Robinson, George Baldock, Vinicius Souza, Oliver Norwood, Gustavo Hamer, Yasser Larouci, Oliver McBurnie, Cameron Archer.
