Spurs fixture analysis for the 2016-17 season
Spurs go into the new season with huge expectations on the back of a successful campaign under Mauricio Pochettino. This undoubtedly will be the biggest task for the manager who will begin his third year at White Hart Lane next weekend. Last season was Spurs' best season since the start of the Premier League, which faded at the end as Spurs had to settle for a third spot despite being in a title race with the eventual winners, Leicester City.
It was heartening to see such a young side under a young manager perform so well exceeding all expectations but the real test begins now – to replicate that sort of form amidst the increased hope from the supporters. Coupled with the extra burden the Champions League will bring which returns at Spurs after a gap of six long years, Pochettino's boys are going to have a tough season ahead.
Spurs were not in the market for a major overhaul in the squad as just 2-3 positions needed strengthening. They have gone on their business slowly and have added good players which have increased the competition in the squad. Victor Wanyama was the first to arrive from Southampton for £12.5 million who will give much-needed stability in midfield and with him having Champions League experience, can be very hand in the coming years.
A striker to share the workload with Harry Kane was the most important duty that the club had to undergo and they have done just that by securing the services of Eredivisie's top scorer, Vincent Janssen from PSV Eindhoven for a fee in the region of £18 million. A wide player still remains to be brought into the side as Spurs are a little weak in that department as the likes of Nacer Chadli and Heung Min Son have failed to cement their place.
Spurs have a defined style of play which has garnered plaudits last season, as a side who likes to press incessantly and make life difficult in midfield for the opposition. They have established themselves as one of the entertaining sides under Pochettino but face a stern test in the 2016-17 season as the quality and indeed the competition in the league has increased manifolds.
So let's analyse the fixtures that Spurs will play in the league month-by-month :
August
Spurs kick-start their campaign with a visit to Goodison Park which is always a tough place to go. Everton must be weakened by then as two of their integral players, Romelu Lukaku and John Stones would be sold by then as it is rumoured. First game at the White Hart Lane will be against Crystal Palace which, as always, will be a close game.
Liverpool visit next who have got the upper hand against Spurs in the recent past, but the team needs to consistently win against the top sides if they want to stand a chance to regain their place in the top four.
September
Another tricky away trip beckons the Lilywhites as they visit Stoke City who are a strong side under Mark Hughes and have a decent home record under him. Sunderland visit the Lane next which guarantees three points for the hosts as David Moyes' has undertaken a tough task at the Tyneside. Spurs face the new boys, Middlesborough next, who too won’t offer much resistance to the strong Spurs side.
A strong start is much needed to announce themselves amongst the strong sides. One of the main reasons for Spurs’ good performance last season was because all the big sides underperformed for the whole of last season which won't be the case come next week. At least 12-15 points are a must in the first two months of the campaign.
October
Tottenham welcome Guardiola's Man City, who under him and the huge money spent by the Spaniard, are title contenders for the league crown next season. City were beaten handsomely last season away to Spurs and Pochettino will love to repeat that feat. The next two away trips to West Brom and Bournemouth doesn't seem that hard for Spurs as they will look to gain all six points against them.
Spurs face the champions, Leicester City next, who too are all set for another good campaign if they manage to keep hold of Riyah Mahrez for the coming season. With the pileup of fixtures from the next month onwards, Spurs, if they win all their games this month, can challenge for the top which is not looking like the case at the moment.
November
This is a crucial month for Spurs as they face three crucial matches in November and surprisingly all three are London derbies which are often a huge thing for the supporters as they represent a matter of bragging rights for them. First, they visit Arsenal which will be the first North London Derby of the season and next they welcome West Ham who have become a strong outfit under Slaven Bilic and the brilliance of Dimitri Payet.
Spurs next pay a visit to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea who are their bogey team as Spurs have failed to win at their home ground in the last 27 matches, spanning 24 long years. If Spurs manage to avoid a defeat during this month, it will be a huge achievement for this young side.
December
The festive period brings the highest number of matches as Spurs are given a respite this month after a horrible November. They face Swansea first who won't be much of a worry and guarantee three points for the London side. Spurs visit Mourinho's Man United next, who after spending hundreds of millions are also title contenders again.
Two home games against Hull City and Burnley seem easy as both of them are expected to be embroiled in a relegation battle throughout the season. Two away games are next as Southampton and Watford play Spurs to round up the year.