Premier League: Points at a Premium for Spurs and Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham

There are high stakes on the table in the 8pm kick-off on Saturday when the Premier League match between Tottenham and Fulham is the action on offer in North London. 

It’s a ninth-versus-15^th clash, and Thomas Frank’s Spurs are three points behind the Champions League places, while Marco Silva’s Fulham are three points above the drop zone. The Spurs want to end a tough week on a high, while the Cottagers are aiming to build on a very good result from last week.

Spurs were cruelly dispatched in the North London Derby last Sunday, losing 4-1, while Fulham beat the surprise package Sunderland 1-0. While the Cottagers have had time to prepare for this upcoming meeting, Frank’s men went through an energy-sapping 5-3 defeat to PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday night.   

 

Talking Points

Battered Spurs are looking for home comfort

Conceding nine goals in two away games is a bruising experience for anyone, but the way Spurs capitulated to Arsenal last week was particularly painful for their travelling fans to watch. Tottenham’s trip to Paris on Wednesday was hardly an easy option for some comfort, but the Londoners put up a better showing, particularly in attack, but they were unable to hold on to two leads. 

Randal Kolo Muani scored twice against his old club, and the in-form Richarlison was on target too, but a hat-trick from Vitinha inspired the reigning European champions to a ferocious comeback. Spurs have drifted further away from the automatic qualification places, but there was plenty for Frank to be pleased about in terms of energy and attacking intent, and with Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons pushing for a start, he has plenty of options.

But Tottenham need a positive stretch of Premier League 2025 results. One point from three league games, a defeat to Chelsea and a 2-2 draw with Manchester United, has stopped Spurs’ advance to the top four in its tracks, and they will see this clash with the Cottagers as the perfect opportunity, but with that comes pressure.   

Midfield general Joao Palhinha will face his former teammates. He started on the bench against PSG, and alongside Rodrigo Bentancur, he will be a key man in the battle for control of the ball.

At the back, Spurs will be without the suspended Cristian Romero, so Kevin Danso is likely to start alongside Micky van de Ven at the heart of defence.

 

Lukic back for Fulham

In that battle for midfield control, Silva’s Fulham will be boosted by the return of Serbian ace Sasa Lukic after he served his suspension during the win over Sunderland. Like Palhinha, he is a powerful figure and can play as a box-to-box midfielder or in a more defensive role, where Lukic will be tasked with breaking up the Spurs attacks.

When he gets the ball, the Serb will look for a run from flying wing-back Ryan Sessegnon who has been in superb form, deputising for the injured Antonee Robinson, Sessegnon has been sound in defence and a real threat when he raids down the wing. 

Up front, Mexican hitman Raul Jimenez will lead the line, with ex-Arsenal players Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi in support, while Samuel Chukwueze, who assisted Jimenez’s goal last week, has also made a good case to start in place of the injured Rodrigo Muniz.

And another ex-Gunner will be in Spurs’ faces when they attack, Bernd Leno, who played over 100 games for Arsenal, is the Cottagers’ last line of defence.       

 

History

Spurs have had the better of the head-to-heads with 55 wins to Fulham’s 21, and there have been 31 draws.  

But Tottenham are without a win in three in this fixture, losing twice at Craven Cottage, 2-0 last season and 3-0 in the 2023/24 campaign. And last year, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Tom Cairney equalised for the Cottagers before being sent off.   Neither team is in great form. Spurs have just one win, one draw, and four losses from the last six games, while Fulham have two wins, one draw, and three losses.

 

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2025 betting odds make Spurs the favourites for this game at a SBOTOP price of 2.10, with Fulham at 3.40 and the draw at 3.25.

Spurs need a win, and preferably a clean sheet, but it’s their third big game in the space of six days. They won’t find it easy against a Cottagers side which can always spring a surprise.

   

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