Thursday’s Europa League bout in Istanbul was one Spurs could afford to lose given the start they’d made to the league phase, and Ange Postecoglou’s side were beaten 3-2 by Galatasaray having decided to start playing properly once they were reduced to ten players midway through the second-half.
That defeat arrived off the back of what was arguably the best week of Postecoglou’s reign so far. The Lilywhites downed Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and roared from behind to beat Aston Villa in the league on Sunday. Currently seventh in the table, a win here would set them up nicely after the international break.
They’ll be aiming to prolong Ipswich’s winless start to the 2024/25 Premier League season this weekend, with Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys coming ever so close to securing a maiden three points last Saturday against Leicester.
They certainly haven’t been overwhelmed upon their return to the top flight, with their pressing and general diligence out of possession causing teams problems. However, they are 18th in the table having only amassed five points through ten games.
Postecoglou confirmed in the week that Richarlison is once again set for a prolonged period on the sidelines after he picked up a hamstring injury during Spurs’ 4-1 win over Aston Villa last weekend.
The Aussie boss will welcome the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Matar Sarr, Dominic Solanke, and Destiny Udogie back into his starting XI on Sunday, and there’s hope Cristian Romero will recover from a foot injury to feature.
Timo Werner and Mikey Moore could both miss out, while Micky van de Ven, Wilson Odobert and Djed Spence will likely make their returns after the international break.
Tottenham lineup vs Ipswich (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Drasgusin, Udogie; Bentancur, Sarr, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Son.
