Tottenham is shorthanded by a host of injuries and suspensions ahead of their Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Although Tottenham’s 4-1 home loss to Chelsea on Monday was wildly entertaining and saw them applauded off the pitch as they battled bravely with nine men, it has left its scars for Saturday.
Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero are suspended after Monday’s red cards, James Maddison injured his ankle, central defender Micky van de Ven badly tore his hamstring and Richarlison announced during the week that he needed an operation on a groin injury.
Ben Davis has a chance of returning, but Ange Postecoglou has to completely reorganise in central defence, while Maddison’s injury robs him of his most creative player.
The pressure is on Erik ten Hag again after Manchester United’s midweek horror-show in Copenhagen undid the good work of last weekend’s win away to Fulham.
Luton Town should be relatively comfortable visitors to Old Trafford, but failure to win against a side tipped for the drop would make for two difficult weeks for the Dutchman.
Arsenal is still without Gabriel Jesus and has doubts over the fitness of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Edward Nketiah for Saturday’s game at home to Burnley, but with Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz, coach Mikel Arteta should be confident his side can create chances against a rival that has shipped 27 goals in 11 games, with coach Vincent Kompany under increasing pressure.
Newcastle United’s controversial win against Arsenal last weekend lifted them to sixth, and it should take three points from visit to Bournemouth, with coach Eddie Howe returning to face the club where he spent 2012 and 2020 as coach. Last week’s 6-1 defeat to Manchester City dropped Bournemouth back into the bottom three and the pressure is back on Andoni Iraola.
Saturday also sees Crystal Palace at home to Everton in what is likely to be a low-scoring affair. Sunday’s standout match sees Manchester City visit Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea side boosted by a 4-1 win away to Tottenham, and the visit of the league leaders will show if Chelsea’s recovery is real.
Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish are a huge threat down the wings for Man City, while Chelsea will look to the pace of Nicolas Jackson and former City forward, Raheem Sterling to try and hurt Pep Guardiola’s men on the break.
Liverpool rotated their squad and disappointed away to Toulouse on Thursday and will have to prepare for a physical battle against an improving Brentford, while Aston Villa entertain Fulham looking for an impressive 13th consecutive home win at Villa Park.
Brighton claimed a prestigious Europa League win away to Ajax on Thursday and now faces the more prosaic challenge of Sheffield United, who travel to the south coast boosted by last weekend’s dramatic win at home to Wolves. Finally, West Ham look to end a run of three consecutive defeats when they entertain a Nottingham Forest side unlikely to give anything away.
