Taking a statistical, in-depth take a look at Tottenham Hotspur…
We welcome Thomas Frank’s aspect to the Etihad Stadium in a 12:30 (UK) kick-off on Saturday.
Each side loved optimistic begins to the marketing campaign final weekend, with Metropolis placing 4 previous Wolves and Spurs recording a 3-0 defeat of newly promoted Burnley.
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Right here’s extra, with the assistance of Opta information, on what to anticipate from Spurs…
2024/25 kind
2024/25 was famously a season of contrasts for Spurs, ending seventeenth within the Premier League but additionally successful the Europa League and subsequently incomes a spot on this yr’s Champions League.
Their 22 defeats from 38 video games within the Premier League final time period is definitely probably the most of any aspect to not be relegated.
WATCH: OUR LAST 10 – SPURS (H) WIDE
That kind garnered 38 factors, with 11 victories and 5 attracts.
They misplaced 5 of their remaining six Premier League away video games in 2024/25, though they haven’t misplaced a league sport on the street within the month of August since 2015.
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This season has began higher after all, with loads of change afoot since former boss Ange Postecoglou left north London in the summertime.
Most popular formation
Spurs lined up with an attacking 4-3-3 in final week’s defeat of Burnley, equally to how they arrange underneath Postecoglou.
Lucas Bergvall, Archie Grey and Pape Sarr made up a really younger, energetic midfield with wingers Brennan Johnson and Mohammed Kudus in help of Brazil’s Richarlison.
Argentina’s World Cup winner Cristian Romero has now been made captain and performed subsequent to Micky van de Ven on the coronary heart of the defence in a partnership that would rival lots of the Premier League’s greatest on its day.
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Switch exercise
The important thing change at Spurs this summer season got here exterior of the taking part in squad, with supervisor Ange Postecoglou making means for Brentford’s Thomas Frank.
On the pitch, two long-serving stars have left – with Son Heung-min and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg going to LA FC and Marseille respectively.
Final season’s loanees Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel grew to become everlasting members of the squad whereas West Ham winger Kudus grabbed probably the most headlines when he arrived final month.
Joao Palhinha, the previous Fulham defensive midfielder, has additionally arrived on mortgage from Bayern Munich.
Supervisor
Earlier than his transfer to Spurs, Thomas Frank was the Premier League’s second longest serving supervisor after virtually seven years as Brentford’s boss.
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He took cost of 153 Premier League video games as supervisor of the Bees, successful 55 occasions and selecting up 38 attracts as he turned them into top-flight regulars.
Frank’s Brentford performed eight occasions towards Metropolis with the Dane in cost, successful twice.
Earlier than Brentford, Frank was supervisor at considered one of Denmark’s largest golf equipment – Brondby – for 3 years between 2013 and 2016.
Physio room
Spurs have been with out a number of of their favoured midfielders final week and it seems unlikely that trio shall be again for this one.
James Maddison ruptured his ACL in his proper knee throughout pre-season whereas Dejan Kulusevski and Yves Bissouma are anticipated again before the England worldwide.
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Full-back Future Udogie and winger Manor Solomon are additionally nearing returns.
As at all times, we received’t know for certain till the groups are introduced 75 minutes earlier than kick-off!
How they rating their targets
Given Spurs’ change of supervisor in the summertime, the expectation is that they can even alter their fashion of play as Frank will get his toes underneath the desk.
Regardless of ending seventeenth, Spurs’ haul of 64 targets in 2024/25 was greater than 12 sides within the Premier League and as many as fourth-placed Chelsea.
Frank’s Brentford have been additionally fairly prolific, with solely 4 groups netting greater than their 66.
All three strikes final week got here from contained in the field, with Frank instructing his aspect to supply plentiful crosses from the byline for Richarlison.
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Frank’s Brentford group grew to become famed for his or her use of set items, together with free-kicks, corners and throw-ins.
How they defend
Spurs’ technique of defending underneath Postecoglou was usually to push as excessive as potential and stress groups deep into their very own half.
Their 65 targets conceded was solely higher than relegated sides Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester, in addition to Sixteenth-placed Wolves.
Frank’s Brentford let in 57 targets final season, which once more was greater than lots of their most direct rivals.
This season began effectively defensively for each side final week, with Metropolis and Spurs amongst the 9 groups but to concede on this yr’s Premier League.
Spurs are considered one of only a few sides to take pleasure in a powerful report towards Metropolis, with the Blues successful simply 4 of our final 12 Premier League video games residence and away towards them.
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That features two wins of their final 4 visits to the Etihad for Spurs, which is greater than they did of their earlier 11 visits mixed.
Following their 4-0 victory right here final season, they’re searching for consecutive wins away at Metropolis for the primary time since Might 2010.
In whole, Metropolis have received 11 of the 28 Premier League video games towards Spurs we’ve hosted, with our guests successful 12 and 5 ending in attracts.