Tottenham predictions: Spurs set for another strong season
- Spurs could improve on last season's promising fifth-place finish
- New signings offer excitement while a settled squad should help them into the top four
- Recommended bet: Tottenham to finish in the top four
Tottenham enjoyed a topsy-turvy season last time around, eventually finishing a respectable fifth and booking their place in this season's Europa League.
Ange Postecoglou has been bullish in interviews throughout his time with the Lilywhites and he will want to push on this season and potentially fight for the title, although a top-four finish may be a more realistic target for now.
Last Season
Posetcoglou's appointment at the start of last season brought plenty of excitement to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and fans were not disappointed as the Lilywhites went unbeaten through their opening 10 matches before a chaotic game with Chelsea saw them lose 4-1 after being reduced to nine men.
That disastrous match also saw key men James Maddison and Micky van de Ven pick up long-term injuries, which somewhat derailed Spurs' season. Postecoglou kept things ticking along, however, and Tottenham finished just two points adrift of the Champions League places.
There were plenty of positives to take from the Australian's debut Premier League season, not least the extremely attacking football, and Spurs fans will be excited ahead of the new campaign with improvement surely on the cards.
The manager
Postecoglou's first season in London was an overall success and while fans would have hoped for better performances in the cups than a fourth-round FA Cup and second-round League Cup exit, they will still be backing 'Big Ange' this term.
His attacking style has gained plenty of plaudits and criticism alike - notably when continuing to deploy a high defensive line when reduced to nine men against Chelsea - and his sides are certainly worth watching, as a fan or a neutral.
Transfers
Youth has been the key word for Spurs' recruitment this summer as they have added Swedish starlet Lucas Bergvall and Leeds wonderkid Archie Gray to their midfield.
Neither is set to start immediately, but both are supremely talented and could be set for big futures with the Lilywhites.
Timo Werner has returned on loan for the second season running, and with no significant outgoings – neither Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Bryan Gil were regulars last term – Postecoglou has a settled squad to work with for the upcoming campaign.
Strengths and weaknesses
Postecoglou's style means Spurs' greatest strengths lie in attack. Captain Heung-min Son scored an impressive 17 Premier League goals while the threat of their full-backs are also a significant strong point.
Pedro Porro scored three goals and assisted seven more from the right, while Destiny Udogie impressed down the left, netting two and providing three in an injury-hit debut season.
Spurs did concede a lot of goals last term, though. They shipped 20 more than Liverpool, who conceded the most of the top three, suggesting they have some work to do in that department.
Fans will also hope Gray and Bergvall can add some creativity from midfield. Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr are more defensive options and Maddison struggled to find form after his injury, so the service line to Son and co is not ensured as of yet.
Best outright bet
Spurs had to deal with lengthy injuries to Maddison, Van de Ven and Udogie last term but still finished fifth, all while adapting to Postecoglou's fresh ideas.
After a full season of learning the Australian's tactics and having added some exciting youngsters, there is no reason that Tottenham cannot close that two-point gap to the top four and land a Champions League spot.
Manchester United and Chelsea are inconsistent, Liverpool have a new manager and Aston Villa have the distraction of Champions League football.
Spurs have a solid enough squad to cope with balancing the Europa League and Premier League and, led by Son's goals, they look a good bet to finish in the top four.
