The 2023-24 Tottenham Hotspur campaign is about to kick off.
Following a mixed preseason and a disappointing end to last year, a solid start to the new season could make a big difference in the new season’s outlook.
With three matches on the schedule in the month of August, here are our predictions on how Spurs will begin a new era under Ange Postecoglou.
Sunday, August 13: at Brentford
Spurs start the campaign with a tough away trip to Brentford, one of last season’s overachievers.
The Bees finished ninth in the table in 2022-23, tallying 59 points. The club missed out on qualifying for Europe by a mere two points and lost just nine matches during the year, as many as third-place Manchester United.
Thomas Frank has done wonders with the club, and the squad returns most of its major contributors from last season – David Raya and Ivan Toney aside.
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This is a difficult opening match for Tottenham, particularly without Harry Kane at the club.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Spurs
Saturday, August 19: vs. Man United
After a few disappointing years, things started to look promising for the Red Devils during the 2022-23 season.
A humiliating defeat to Liverpool aside, Man United booked a Champions League spot after a third-place league finish, while also reaching the FA Cup final and winning the Carabao Cup.
After a summer of big spending, Erik ten Hag will look to build on last season’s success as he looks to return United to its former glory.
This will be the first match of the home slate for Spurs, and the first time the supporters will be able to see the team under Postecoglou live.
I’ll take Spurs in a close match to give the new manager a win in his first match in North London.
Prediction: Spurs 2-1 Man United
Saturday, August 26: at Bournemouth
Returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2019-20, Bournemouth struggled last season.
Despite losing 21 matches – third most in the league – The Cherries managed to avoid the drop, finishing 15th in the table while registering 39 points.
Included in the difficult campaign was a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool, as well as dropping the final four matches on the schedule.
Even though this is an away fixture, expect Spurs to pick up the full three points against a side that many predict will be relegated this season.
Prediction: Spurs 3-0 Bournemouth
Final analysis
Spurs don’t have the easiest start to the Ange Postecoglou era, with a pair of difficult matches out of the gate.
With the Harry Kane cloud hanging over N17, I predict Tottenham will pick up two wins and a loss in the first three matches of the new campaign, tallying six points.
After a disastrous campaign a year ago that saw the departure of Antonio Conte and missing out on Europe, a positive start to 2023-24 is just what Spurs and the supporters need as the club aims to return to European football and end a 15-year trophy drought.
How do you expect Spurs to begin the Postecoglou era?
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