By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter
Published: November 8, 2024 | 09:58
Last updated: November 9, 2024 | 19:02
After suffering their first defeat in Europe this season, Tottenham Hotspur are eager to bounce back with a win at home to Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Ange Postecoglou’s side was edged 3-2 by Galatasaray in the Europa League midweek, while Ipswich were heartbreakingly held to a 1-1 draw against Leicester City, missing out on their first win of the campaign.
Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur fell short of making it a perfect 12 points from 12 available on Thursday evening, as a rotated side managed by Ange Postecoglou was overwhelmed by a relentless Galatasaray attack. Despite their best efforts, Spurs returned from Turkey empty-handed after a 3-2 defeat.
However, the Lilywhites bounced back in emphatic fashion in their most recent Premier League outing, securing a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa. After going a goal down, Tottenham responded with a clinical display, with Dominic Solanke starring by scoring twice, while James Maddison and Brennan Johnson also found the net.
That dominant performance strengthened Spurs’ hopes of qualifying for European competition next season, but they still have work to do in the league, currently sitting in seventh place—just two points adrift of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Aston Villa.
The good news for Tottenham is that at least one of Chelsea or Arsenal will drop points in Sunday’s headline fixture. Additionally, the win over Villa extended a remarkable home streak for Postecoglou’s side, who have now won their last six matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In those six victories, Spurs have shown a renewed commitment to attacking football, scoring at least three goals in matches against Brentford, West Ham United, and Aston Villa—despite conceding first in each of those games.
Tottenham could make history on Sunday by becoming the first Premier League team to win four consecutive home matches after going behind in each of them. Their upcoming opponents, Ipswich Town, have had their own struggles in maintaining leads in the topflight.
Kieran McKenna’s side came agonizingly close to securing their first top-flight win of the season last weekend. They were moments away from victory when Leif Davis’s stunning volley put them ahead, and Cameron Burgess’s crucial goal-line clearance from Jordan Ayew seemed to seal the points. But heartbreakingly for the Tractor Boys, Ayew found the net in the dying seconds of injury time, leaving Ipswich to settle for a 1-1 draw against Leicester City.
Now one of only two teams still without a win after 10 matches in the 2024-25 season—alongside bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers—Ipswich sit 18th in the standings, just one win away from escaping the relegation zone thanks to five draws.
Sunday’s match will be Ipswich’s third consecutive London away trip, having conceded four goals in each of their last two defeats to West Ham United and Brentford. They have not shipped four or more goals in three consecutive top-flight away games since 1964.
In terms of head-to-head history, Ipswich have had the upper hand in recent Premier League encounters, winning their last three against Spurs. However, the teams have not met in competitive action since the 2001-02 season, with Tottenham claiming a 3-0 friendly win in the summer of 2020.
Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Form:
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Tottenham Hotspur Form (All Competitions):
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Ipswich Town Premier League Form:
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Team News
Tottenham's impressive 4-1 victory over Aston Villa last weekend came at a significant cost. Richarlison pulled his hamstring while setting up Dominic Solanke’s goal and is expected to be sidelined until December. Additionally, Cristian Romero sustained a toe injury and was forced to come off during the match.
Ange Postecoglou has not yet ruled Romero out of Sunday’s game, and the same applies to Djed Spence, who is recovering from a groin issue. However, Timo Werner (groin) and Mikey Moore (illness) are unlikely to feature, while Wilson Odobert (hamstring) and Micky van de Ven (hamstring) are confirmed absentees.
Will Lankshear’s red card in Europe will not affect his availability for the Premier League, but £65 million signing Solanke is expected to return to the attacking lineup. Solanke has been a constant presence in the final third this season, applying more pressures than any other Premier League player with 212.
For Ipswich, Kalvin Phillips will be suspended after his red card against Leicester for two bookings, meaning the Manchester City loanee will miss Sunday’s match. Jens Cajuste and Massimo Luongo are competing for the role to fill in for him.
Ipswich defender Harry Clarke returns from suspension, but Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles), Axel Tuanzebe (hand), Jacob Greaves (thigh), Jack Taylor (unspecified), and Janoi Donacien (ankle) are all ruled out due to injury.
One player to watch is Jack Clarke, who spent three seasons in Tottenham’s academy. He’s in line for a start for Ipswich and could replace either Sammie Szmodics or Conor Chaplin in the attacking setup as he faces his former club.
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
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