Tottenham Hotspur will be eager to put their midweek European disappointment behind them when they welcome Bournemouth to North London on Sunday afternoon. Ange Postecoglou’s side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in their Europa League last-16 first-leg clash against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, leaving them with work to do in the return leg next week.
Despite the setback, Tottenham are still firmly in contention to progress in the competition, and Postecoglou will be urging his squad to refocus as they shift their attention back to the Premier League. A victory against Bournemouth would not only boost morale ahead of their crucial second-leg decider but also strengthen their position in the domestic league as they push for a top-four finish.
Injury Updates and Team Selection
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, Spurs have a relatively short injury list. However, they will still be without some key players. Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, and Richarlison remain unavailable, but considering the injury struggles Tottenham have faced this season, Postecoglou will be relieved to have a near full-strength squad at his disposal.
One of the biggest positives from the midweek clash against AZ was the performance of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The Italian shot-stopper made crucial saves to keep the deficit to just one goal, giving Spurs a real chance of turning the tie around in the second leg. His presence will once again be vital against Bournemouth, particularly with the visitors showing an ability to trouble defenses with their attacking intensity.
Defensive Setup
Tottenham made some adjustments to their backline in midweek, with Djed Spence getting a rare opportunity at right-back. While the young defender put in a solid shift, it is expected that Pedro Porro will reclaim his place in the starting lineup for the Bournemouth clash.
Porro is likely to be joined in the defense by Archie Gray, Kevin Danso, and Destiny Udogie. The latter has been a standout performer this season, with his marauding runs down the left flank providing an additional attacking threat. Meanwhile, Danso will be keen to establish himself as a rock at the heart of the defense, having made an encouraging start to life at Tottenham.
Midfield Dilemma
Postecoglou faces an intriguing decision in midfield. Lucas Bergvall was handed a start in midweek but could drop to the bench in favor of Pape Matar Sarr, who, despite his unfortunate own goal against AZ, remains a key figure in Spurs’ midfield engine.
Sarr will likely line up alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison in a three-man midfield. Maddison’s creativity and ability to dictate play will be crucial, while Bentancur provides balance with his technical quality and defensive awareness. The combination of these three could give Spurs the edge in midfield against Bournemouth’s energetic setup.
Solanke’s Fitness and Attack Options
One of Tottenham’s biggest absentees in recent weeks has been Dominic Solanke. The striker finally made his long-awaited return to action against AZ, featuring for 18 minutes off the bench before an unfortunate late collision with goalkeeper Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro left him limping. Fortunately for Spurs, Postecoglou has confirmed that Solanke’s setback is not a serious one, but his involvement from the start against Bournemouth remains uncertain.
Even if Solanke is fit enough to be in the squad, he is unlikely to start, with Son Heung-min expected to continue leading the attack. The South Korean captain has been Spurs’ talisman this season, delivering crucial goals and leadership in key moments. Alongside him, Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson are set to provide pace and width in attack, making Tottenham a dangerous proposition for Bournemouth’s backline.
Predicted Lineup vs Bournemouth (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Vicario
Defenders: Porro, Gray, Danso, Udogie
Midfielders: Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison
Forwards: Johnson, Son, Odobert
With a key European fixture looming, Tottenham will be determined to get back to winning ways in the league. A strong performance and three points against Bournemouth would be the perfect way to regain momentum and confidence heading into next week’s crucial second leg against AZ.
Ange adopts 4-3-3 Set-up- How Tottenham could line up in Premier League clash vs Bournemouth
