Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to return to Premier League action this Saturday night as they host Fulham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the North London club finds itself at a crucial moment in the season.
After suffering back-to-back heavy defeats first a 4-1 loss to Arsenal in the North London derby and then a 5-3 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Thomas Frank’s side is in urgent need of a boost.
Confidence is low, and the team’s fragile defensive performances have put pressure on both the manager and the players to arrest a worrying slide. Tottenham have now failed to win three consecutive matches in all competitions, recording one draw and two losses over that period, and have conceded nine goals since the end of the international break.
With Fulham preparing to travel north with the potential to exploit Spurs’ vulnerabilities, the stakes are high.
Despite these struggles, Tottenham remain just three points outside the Premier League’s top four, meaning that a strong performance at home could help keep them in touch with the league’s elite.
However, their record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season has been far from reassuring. Spurs have won only one of their six home league games, drawing two and losing three.
Only Wolverhampton Wanderers have a worse record on home soil, which will give Fulham confidence that they can create problems in north London.
Historically, Tottenham have performed well against the Cottagers at home, remaining unbeaten in the last six meetings, but recent results indicate that Fulham are capable of spoiling the Lilywhites’ plans, having avoided defeat in three of the last three encounters, with Tottenham losing two of those matches.
As Frank prepares his squad for the visit of Fulham, changes are likely in several key areas. In goal, Guglielmo Vicario is expected to retain his position as the first-choice goalkeeper, providing stability at the back.
The defensive line, however, may require adjustments. Cristian Romero is suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the campaign, leaving a gap that must be filled. With Kota Takai and Radu Dragusin not yet fully match-fit, Kevin Danso is the most reliable option to partner Micky van de Ven in central defense.
At full-back, Pedro Porro is likely to start on the right, while Destiny Udogie could return on the left, potentially replacing Djed Spence. These changes aim to bring balance and solidity to a defense that has struggled to maintain consistency in recent weeks.
In midfield, Joao Palhinha and Lucas Bergvall are expected to provide the anchor, helping to protect the backline and control the tempo of the game. Their presence will be crucial in a match where Fulham are likely to look for opportunities to exploit Tottenham’s defensive lapses.
Higher up the pitch, Thomas Frank could reinstate Xavi Simons, who has been described as an “exceptional” talent, to the starting lineup. The Dutchman would line up alongside Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus, both of whom are capable of creating chances and stretching the Fulham defense.
Richarlison has shown glimpses of his quality this season, while Kudus offers versatility and technical skill to support Spurs’ attacking transitions. Randal Kolo Muani, fresh off a brace against his parent club PSG, is expected to lead the line once again as the team’s main striker.
His ability to hold up play and make penetrating runs behind the defense could prove decisive in breaking down a resilient Fulham backline.
Considering these adjustments, the predicted formation for Tottenham against Fulham appears to be a 4-2-3-1 setup. In goal, Vicario will provide the last line of defense. The back four would consist of Porro on the right, Danso and van de Ven as central defenders, and Udogie on the left.
Palhinha and Bergvall would sit in midfield as a double pivot, offering both defensive cover and passing options. The three attacking midfielders would be Kudus, Simons, and Richarlison, providing creativity, pace, and support for Kolo Muani, who would occupy the central forward role.
This setup gives Tottenham a blend of defensive solidity, midfield control, and attacking options capable of testing Fulham’s defense. While the team has struggled in recent matches, a well-organized performance and clinical finishing could see Spurs regain confidence and halt their recent slump.
With the January transfer window looming, Frank will also be assessing his squad’s strengths and weaknesses, making this an important fixture both for points and morale.
Tottenham must find cohesion quickly if they want to maintain their challenge in the Premier League and build momentum heading into the final months of the season.
Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bergvall; Kudus, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani.
