Star axed,£250,000-per-week duo benched as Romero and Solanke decisions made – Tottenham v Bournemouth Predicted XI
Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth are set to clash in a crucial Premier League encounter on Sunday afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both teams are eager to bounce back from recent setbacks and climb the league table as they approach the final stretch of the season.
Form and Recent Struggles
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs come into this fixture on the back of consecutive defeats, having failed to score in either match. Their most recent disappointment came in the Europa League, where they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday. The North London side is now desperate to rediscover their attacking rhythm and put their domestic campaign back on track.
Meanwhile, Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth have also endured a rough patch in the league, losing their last two games. However, the Cherries received a morale boost by securing a dramatic victory against Wolves in the FA Cup, progressing to the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout. Iraola will be hoping that confidence carries into Sunday’s matchup.
Injury Concerns for Both Teams
Both managers face significant selection dilemmas due to injury concerns in their squads. This could lead to tactical adjustments and rotations as they look to find the best possible lineups.
Tottenham Team News: Kulusevski Ruled Out, Solanke a Doubt
Spurs have had mixed fortunes with injuries in recent weeks. While they have welcomed some key players back, they have also suffered fresh setbacks. Swedish playmaker Dejan Kulusevski is the latest casualty, sidelined with a foot injury that will keep him out until after the international break.
Another concern is striker Dominic Solanke, who made a brief return in midweek but was forced off within minutes. His availability remains uncertain ahead of the clash against his former club. On a more positive note, defensive duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have returned to training and are pushing for inclusion in the matchday squad.
Postecoglou Provides Team Update
In his pre-match press conference, Ange Postecoglou shared updates on the fitness of his squad.
“With Dom [Solanke], I think he got a knee into the back, so it’s probably a bit sore. It’s a knock, so hopefully, it settles down quickly,” Postecoglou explained.
Regarding defender Ben Davies, he added:
“I’m not really sure. He’s training at the moment, so we will see how he feels. He’s definitely progressed, and he feels good, so we will see how we go in the next 24 to 48 hours. He has a chance for Sunday, but we will see how he goes.”
On Romero and van de Ven’s availability, the Spurs boss revealed:
“They have a chance. To be honest, when I saw the pitch the night before, I pretty much made up my mind that I wasn’t going to risk them. Last night, it wasn’t a great pitch, it wasn’t steady underfoot, and it wasn’t a game where I needed to expose them. With a couple of extra days of training and recovery, hopefully, both are in line to feature.”
Tottenham Predicted Lineup and Possible Changes
Postecoglou is expected to rotate his squad slightly following their midweek European fixture. Argentine defender Romero is likely to make his return at the heart of the defense, while van de Ven could be named on the bench as he builds his fitness.
Additionally, Timo Werner, who has struggled to make a significant impact since arriving, may start among the substitutes. The attacking trio of Mathys Tel, James Maddison, and Heung-Min Son is expected to retain their places in the starting XI.
Predicted Spurs XI:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma; Johnson, Maddison, Son; Tel.
Predicted Substitutes:
Kinsky (GK), Spence (DEF), Gray (DEF), Van de Ven (DEF), Bergvall (MID), Sarr (MID), Odobert (FWD), Werner (FWD), Moore (FWD).
Bournemouth Team News: Christie and Araujo Remain Doubts
Andoni Iraola’s side has had to navigate their recent games without a natural striker, and injuries continue to trouble the squad. Ryan Christie is dealing with persistent pain, while Julian Araujo has resumed training but remains unlikely to feature as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-term injury.
Elsewhere, Enes Unal, Adam Smith, and Marcos Senesi remain sidelined, limiting Bournemouth’s defensive and attacking options. To compound their troubles, Illia Zabarnyi will miss the game as he serves the final match of his suspension.
Iraola’s Injury Update on Key Players
Speaking ahead of the match, Iraola gave an update on his squad’s condition.
“The ones that were available are continuing to be available, and there is nothing new, no,” he said.
On Christie’s situation, the Bournemouth manager explained:
“Ryan has something chronic and is dealing with some pain. It’s a situation that we will have to manage day by day; I’m not ruling him out. I trust Ryan a lot because he knows his body. Some days he comes in and is feeling well, and he trains and he feels well. Sometimes he comes in and is in pain. It’s not an easy situation to deal with during the season, and he probably needs some rest, but he wants to continue playing.”
Regarding Araujo’s progress, Iraola added:
“He went to Finland last week and passed all of their tests, but he’s still not feeling 100%. He will have to wait a little bit longer as it’s a long rehab from surgery. It’s one thing for the surgeon to give the green light, but then you have to train and feel confident. He will need more time.”
Bournemouth Predicted Lineup and Tactical Adjustments
With limited squad depth, Iraola is expected to rely on the same core group of players. However, Evanilson is now fully fit and should lead the attack. Justin Kluivert is also likely to retain his spot, while the likes of Luis Sinisterra and Marcus Tavernier may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Predicted Bournemouth XI:
Kepa; Cook, Hill, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Scott; Ouattara, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson.
Predicted Substitutes:
Dennis (GK), Akinmboni (DEF), Soler (DEF), Winterburn (MID), Tavernier (MID), Brooks (MID), Sinisterra (FWD), Jebbison (FWD), Silcott-Duberry (FWD).
Key Matchups to Watch
Cristian Romero vs. Evanilson: If Romero returns to the starting XI, he will be tasked with keeping Bournemouth’s striker quiet. The Argentine defender’s aggressive style could make for an interesting battle.
James Maddison vs. Bournemouth’s Midfield: Maddison will be the creative hub for Spurs, and how Bournemouth’s midfield duo of Adams and Scott handle him could be a decisive factor.
Spurs’ Attack vs. Bournemouth’s Makeshift Defense: With Zabarnyi suspended and Senesi injured, Bournemouth will have a weakened backline. Tottenham will look to exploit this with their attacking options.
Conclusion
With both teams looking to bounce back from recent struggles, Sunday’s clash promises to be an intense battle. Tottenham will aim to get their attack firing again, while Bournemouth will hope to continue their momentum from the FA Cup. With key players returning for both sides, this match could be a turning point in their respective seasons.
Can Postecoglou’s side rediscover their form, or will Iraola’s men pull off an upset? The stage is set for an exciting encounter in North London.