Two months into the campaign and Tottenham Hotspur are unbeaten in the league, just one point off the top of the table. Can they reach the top come the end of October?
Here are our predictions for the six Premier League matches in the month of October, and how many points Spurs will have by the end of it.
Saturday, October 1: at Arsenal
Coming off the international break, Spurs immediately get the chance to prove they belong at the top.
Facing the top-of-the-table Gunners, Tottenham are just one point behind. A win on the road in the north London Derby would show everyone that Spurs can compete for the title.
However, Spurs do not have a good record at the Emirates and with Dejan Kulusevski likely missing the match due to injury (The Athletic), Arsenal have the edge.
Prediction: Arsenal 2, Spurs 1
Saturday, October 8: at Brighton
Playing back-to-back away matches, it doesn’t get much easier for Spurs after facing Arsenal.
Facing fourth-place Brighton, the Seagulls have impressed so far this campaign, but losing manager Graham Potter to Chelsea likely hurts their chances at the top four.
Spurs will take advantage of a Brighton team that is trying to move on after Potter’s departure.
Prediction: Brighton 0-1 Spurs
Saturday, October 15: vs. Everton
The first home match of the month couldn’t have come against a better opponent.
After consecutive battles with teams who are near the top, Spurs will face a struggling Everton side. The Toffees are currently 13th in the table and narrowly avoided relegation last season.
While they have only lost twice through seven matches, Everton have recorded just one win and scored only five goals.
Spurs should take advantage at home against Lampard’s strugglers.
Prediction: Spurs 3-1 Everton
Wednesday, October 19: at Man United
It appeared after two matches of the new season that this United team could be the one of the worst in living memory.
Instead, United have flipped the script, winning four straight league matches that include victories over Liverpool and Arsenal.
With United sitting fifth in the table and just one point off the top four early, this is a tough matchup for Spurs away against a streaking side.
Erik Ten Hag’s dide take advantage of the game being at Old Trafford to steal three points.
Prediction: Man United 2-1 Spurs
Sunday, October 23: vs Newcastle
This was supposed to be the season where Newcastle took a big step forward, perhaps even qualifying for European competition.
Instead, Newcastle have drawn five of their seven matches and are currently 10th in the table.
This is a great time for Spurs to take advantage of an underachieving side at home.
I expect them to do just that in the penultimate match of the month.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-3 Spurs
Saturday, October 29: at Bournemouth
Facing newly-promoted Bournemouth away to end the month, Spurs will likely be stretched thin following a busy calendar filled with both league and Champions League matches.
Bournemouth have currency recorded two wins, two draws, and three losses and are 12th in the table to date, not bad for a side who are adjusting back to the top flight/
Spurs can easily take advantage however of a weak Bournemouth backline in the match. Thus far, they have allowed 19 goals, although nine of them came in one match against Liverpool.
Although Spurs will likely roll out a heavily rotated side, they should still be able to pick up three points on the road.
Prediction: Bournemouth 0-3 Spurs
Final analysis
Playing a month with six Premier League matches plus the Champions League fixtures will present a difficult challenge for Spurs.
Keeping key players fit will be an important factor in Spurs’ ability to pick up points and stay near the top of the table.
In six fixtures this month, I see Tottenham winning four while losing twice. That would give them 29 points from 13 matches. While that would likely see Spurs fall away from the top portion of the table, they will still be in a great position in the fight for another top-four finish.
Where do you see Spurs in the table come November?
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