O final de semana do futebol começa de forma agitada. O sábado (6) será recheado de partidas para todos os amantes do mundo da bola. Logo cedo, às 9h30, Burnley e Arsenal dão o pontapé inicial no dia, em partida válida pela rodada da Premier League. A transmissão desse confronto é da ESPN.
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Já na parte da tarde, o clássico entre Bayern de Munique e Borussia Dortmund, pela Bundesliga, rouba as atenções. O duelo acontece às 14h30, na Allianz Arena, e será exibido pela Band e pelo One Football
Para finalizar o primeiro dia do final de semana, Macaé e Flamengo entram em campo pelo Campeonato Carioca, às 18h. Depois, às 19h, São Paulo e Santos se confrontam pelo Campeonato Paulista, no estádio do Morumbi.
ESTADUAL COMEÇOU! ACESSE A TABELA DO PAULISTÃO E SIMULE JOGOS
Confira abaixo os principais confrontos do dia e a programação de transmissão:
09h30 – Burnley x Arsenal Premier League Onde assistir: ESPN
11h – Spezia x Benevento Serie A TIM Onde assistir: TNT Sports
12h – Sheffield United x Southampton Premier League Onde assistir: ESPN Brasil
14h – Udinese x Sassuolo Serie A TIM Onde assistir: TNT Sports
14h30 – Aston Villa x Wolverhampton Premier League Onde assistir: ESPN Brasil
14h30 – Bayern de Munique x Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga Onde assistir: Band e One Football
16h – Ceará x Vitória Copa do Nordeste Onde assistir: SBT
16h30 – Inter de Limeira x Novorizontino Campeonato Paulista Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere
16h45 – Juventus x Lazio Serie A TIM Onde assistir: TNT Sports
17h – Brighton x Leicester City Premier League Onde assistir: DAZN
17h – Osasuna x Barcelona La Liga Onde assistir: ESPN Brasil
18h – Macaé x Flamengo Campeonato Carioca Onde assistir: Record e Fla TV
19h – Pouso Alegre x América-MG Campeonato Mineiro Onde assistir: SportV e Premiere
19h – São Paulo x Santos Campeonato Paulista Onde assistir: Premiere
21h – URT x Cruzeiro Campeonato Mineiro Onde assistir: Premiere
21h – Volta Redonda x Vasco Campeonato Carioca Onde assistir: Vasco TV e Cariocão TV
Left-arm seamer Lauren Cheatle is in line for her first international appearance in nearly two years after being recalled to Australia’s one-day squad for the Rose Bowl series against New Zealand later this month.Cheatle took 14 wickets in the WBBL for Sydney Sixers and seven wickets in five matches in the recently completed Women’s National Cricket League. Jess Jonassen is also back in the mix after missing the series against Pakistan in Malaysia late last year.Nicole Bolton remains unavailable as she continues her break from the game which started during the WBBL, while fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck is recovering from a knee injury.Brisbane Heat’s Delissa Kimmince, who was originally dropped from the squad, has been recalled to replace* the left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Sophie Molineux, who was ruled out of the series after suffering a shoulder injury while training for Victoria. Kimmince scored 44 and claimed 2 for 52 with the ball during Queensland’s defeat to New South Wales in the WNCL final.”Nicole is unavailable continuing her leave taken during the Big Bash, while the decision was made not to rush Tayla back from a knee injury that ruled her out of the back-end of the Big Bash and last round of domestic cricket,” national selector Shawn Flegler said.”Lauren Cheatle really impressed on the Australia A tour to India in October, and it’s pleasing to see her back playing regular cricket after a string of injuries and we’re confident that her ability to swing the ball will be a challenge for New Zealand.””Sophie suffered a right shoulder subluxation whilst diving during a fielding drill at training earlier in the week,” said Kate Mahony, the Australian team’s physiotherapist. “A scan has revealed significant soft-tissue injury and as a result, she is unavailable for the upcoming series against New Zealand. She will be reviewed over the coming days to determine rehabilitation and return to play time-frame.”Australia captain Meg Lanning was aware of the threat New Zealand will pose in the three matches in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. “There’s a lot on the line throughout this series. We’ve been watching New Zealand play quite well against India in the last few weeks as well. A good challenge for our group and really important we finish off the summer well.””We know they’ve got a very strong team, probably led by Satterthwaite, Bates and Devine. So we’re not surprised they’ve been playing well. Especially against a strong T20 unit in India. We expect them to come over here and play well and we’re looking forward to the challenge of that.”Elyse Villani is part of the squad as she continues to make good progress in her recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in the WBBL.”All progressing as planned, Elyse will tick off the final aspects of her rehabilitation over the next week and we expect that she will be fully fit for the start of the NZ series,” Australia’s physio Kate Mahony said.The selectors also named the squad for Governor-General’s match against New Zealand which will take place on February 28 at Drummoyne Oval. Heather Graham, who was named Domestic Player of the Year at the Australian Cricket Awards, has been included in a side to be captained by Alex Blackwell.Squad Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes, Nicola Carey, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince*, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Georgia WarehamGovernor-General squad Alex Blackwell (capt), Erin Burns, Josie Dooley, Nicole Faltum, Heather Graham, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Rachel Rae-Martin (Australian Defence Force), Annabel Sutherland, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa*9:20am GMT – The squad and article were updated to include news of Sophie Molineux’s injury
Em seu primeiro ano de disputa do Campeonato Brasileiro de Aspirantes, o Vila Nova fez história e chegou à grande decisão da competição diante do Ceará. Nos pênaltis, a equipe goiana acabou com o vice-campeonato após vitória por 2 a 0 na ida e derrota por 3 a 1 no jogo de volta. Entretanto, o Vila terá bons valores a lapidar logo no ano de estreia da categoria.
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Um destes jovens de destaque é o zagueiro Luizão, de apenas 20 anos. Titular de toda a campanha do Vila Nova na competição e autor do gol que levou a decisão para os pênaltis na partida de volta contra o Vozão, o jovem chamou atenção da comissão técnica do Vila e também de outras equipes do Brasil.
– Individualmente fiz um excelente campeonato, fui regular em todas as partidas em que atuei, conseguimos um feito que vai me ajudar na carreira daqui para frente. Fomos uma das melhores defesas do campeonato e também pude ajudar a equipe com um gol na final. Coletivamente nossa equipe era forte em todos os setores do campo, tanto ataque quanto defesa. A gente conseguiu uma campanha histórica com a camisa do Vila Nova em seu primeiro ano que disputou o Brasileiro sub-23 e por pouco não conquistamos o título – comentou a promessa.
Agora valorizado, Luizão sonha com oportunidades na equipe principal. Após participar da Copa São Paulo no início de 2020, o defensor já foi relacionado para partidas do Campeonato Goiano e da Série C, mas ainda não fez sua estreia no time de cima. Com sondagens, o jovem garante desejo de defender o Tigrão, mas deixa o futuro nas mãos da diretoria e seus empresários.
– Meu objetivo primeiramente é chegar ao profissional do Vila Nova, mas caso apareçam boas propostas para alavancar minha carreira, vamos conversar e definir o que for melhor para todo mundo. Espero alcançar minha meta que é a de atuar nos principais clubes do país e do exterior e com isso dar sequência ao bom momento que estou vivendo hoje na minha carreira – projetou.
Celtic have had a mixed start to the 2023/24 campaign after they decided to bring Brendan Rodgers back to Glasgow after Ange Postecoglou's departure over the summer.
The Hoops were hit with a blow as their former manager opted to part ways with the club in order to join Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season.
Postecoglou secured the domestic treble last season and that achievement is already out of the question for the Scottish giants this time around as the Bhoys lost 1-0 to Kilmarnock in the League Cup.
Celtic are also bottom of their Champions League group with zero wins and three defeats in their opening four matches – competing against Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, and Lazio.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
They are, however, top of the Scottish Premiership and are yet to lose a game in the league, with a record of 11 wins and two draws in 13 outings.
Rodgers added nine new signings to his squad over the summer as Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Odin Thiago Holm, Marco Tilio, Hyun-jun Yang, Nat Phillips, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Paulo Bernardo, and Luis Palma were all brought in to bolster the side.
The upcoming January transfer window will provide the Northern Irish head coach with an opportunity to make more additions, and the Hoops have been touted with an interest in a Premiership midfielder.
Celtic transfer news – Lennon Miller
According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the Scottish giants are one of a number of teams eyeing up a possible swoop to sign Motherwell starlet Lennon Miller.
The outlet named both Celtic and Rangers among the group of clubs keeping tabs on the teenage talent's development, as they track his progress ahead of a potential move for him further down the line.
However, they are not alone in their interest as the Scottish gem has a host of Premier League outfits looking at his performances this season.
It is stated that Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Aston Villa, West Ham United, and Brighton & Hove Albion have also been sending scouts to watch him on a regular basis this term.
There is no mention of how much it would cost to secure te 17-year-old prospect's services or whether or not Motherwell are even prepared to entertain any offers for him during the upcoming January transfer window.
If there is a deal to be had, though, it could be a difficult one for Celtic to complete if they face competition from multiple Premier League sides, who can offer football in a major European league, whilst the Hoops may not have any European football to offer if they finish bottom of their Champions League group and crash out of Europe entirely.
However, Rodgers could secure his next version of his former Leicester City defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi if he is able to win the race for the Motherwell star's signature.
Celtic were touted with an interest in the Nigeria international after the Foxes were relegated from the Premier League but a move did not materialise, after the Northern Irish tactician worked with him in England for a number of years.
Ndidi's form for Leicester under Rodgers
The towering ace made 138 appearances across five seasons for Rodgers during their time together at Leicester, as he excellently anchored the midfield throughout that spell.
Ndidi proved himself to be a superb defensive midfielder who is able to consistently cut out opposition attacks in order to stop his own goalkeeper from being troubled, whilst also being able to create more chances for his own side to make things happen at the right end of the pitch.
In their last full season together, which was during the 2021/22 campaign, the 26-year-old titan made 5.4 tackles and interceptions per game across 19 Premier League matches. He won 54% of his duels that term and was dribbled past 1.7 times per match by his opponents.
Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.
Ndidi followed that up with 3.7 tackles and interceptions per outing for Leicester last season, along with a duel success rate of 55% and only being dribbled past once per clash on average, across 27 league games.
The right-footed dynamo ranked within at least the top 6% of his positional peers at Premier League level last term for tackles, interceptions, and clearances respectively per 90, which illustrates how impressive his defending was a midfielder.
These statistics show that Rodgers had a terrific defensive presence in the middle of the park at the King Power and Miller could come in to provide a similar set of skills if Celtic are able to snap him up at the start of 2024, or during the summer transfer window at the end of the season.
Lennon Miller's season in numbers
The 17-year-old talent, who was once hailed as "fantastic" by manager Steven Hammell, has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign with Motherwell.
In spite of his age and lack of experience, Miller has established himself as a dominant force in midfield for his club and is now a regular starter.
The teenage whiz has started nine of his side's Premiership outings so far this season after four appearances and one start in the Scottish top-flight last term.
His defensive qualities have been on full display as the Hoops target has made an eye-catching 3.6 tackles and interceptions along with 7.7 ball recoveries per game. He has also only been dribbled past once per match on average, which shows that the young gem is stopping opposition players far more often than they are getting the better of him.
Miller, at the age of just 17, has won an outstanding 71% of his duels – including 79% of his aerial battles – in the league this season, which shows that he is already physically prepared to compete at first-team level.
The Motherwell battler, who does not turn 18 until next season, has also produced one goal and one assist in five League Cup appearances this term.
Looking at his statistics during the 2023/24 campaign, the impressive teenager could be Rodgers' next Ndidi as he has the physicality and the defensive awareness to consistently cut out and stop opposition attacks to help his side at both ends of the pitch, just as the Nigerian gem did for him at Leicester.
Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall says Lotte Wubben-Moy was a "rock" during their Conti Cup final win over Chelsea and has taken her game to new heights.
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Arsenal boss Eidevall lauds Wubben-Moy
Calls the England star a 'rock' at the back
Defender's game has reached new heights
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Gunners manager has heaped praise on the 25-year-old for her performances this season and how she played in their 1-0 Conti Cup win over Chelsea last month. Ahead of this weekend's Women's Super League clash against basement side Bristol City, Eidevall has waxed lyrical about the England international and Arsenal academy product.
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WHAT JONAS EIDEVALL SAID
The 41-year-old said in his pre-match press conference: "[She was] a rock in the defending line for 120 minutes [against Chelsea]. She's Arsenal through and through. I think she's really developed this season in almost all aspects of her game. She's improved her playing position. She's improved her duels. She's improved her leadership on the pitch."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal have an outside chance of winning the WSL this season, with leaders Manchester City sitting nine points ahead of them – though they have played a game more. But if the Gunners want to continue to be successful going forward, Wubben-Moy is likely to be a big part of that.
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WHAT NEXT?
After Arsenal host relegation favourites Bristol on Sunday evening, Eidevall's side host lowly Leicester City at home the following weekend. The Gunners have five games left of the WSL season, including a trip to City on May 5.
Inter Miami have “more confidence” in Lionel Messi’s fitness after seeing the Argentine make his return from injury against Colorado.
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Argentine sat out four matchesReturned against ColoradoNo risks taken on all-time greatWHAT HAPPENED?
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stepped off the bench in the Herons’ latest MLS fixture after sitting out their last four games. He made an immediate impact, with his sixth goal of the season recorded just before the hour mark in a game that ended in a 2-2 draw.
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Inter Miami boss Tata Martino told reporters afterwards when asked for an update on Messi: “What Leo did is what he always does, how he affects our team, all his team-mates, the fans, and the most important thing is he felt comfortable, he felt good, he felt loose, and that’s why it’s a shame to have to give up two points.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi had not figured for club or country since March 13 due to a hamstring complaint, with no risks being taken on the Argentine as Inter Miami look to compete on multiple fronts. Martino added on having the all-time great back after testing MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup fixtures: “We know it was a risk for him to play the first game against Monterrey. We knew, well we planned, because there are variables, that he would play some minutes today. We thought 30-45 minutes. He felt good. This helps us to arrive at the game (against Monterrey) next Wednesday with more confidence regarding his injury.”
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?
Having eased Messi back into the fold, and seen him make another important contribution to the collective cause, the expectation is that he will play a more prominent role when Inter Miami look to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit in their Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Monterrey.
Glasgow Rangers look like they may finally be able to salvage something out of this season following the appointment of Philippe Clement a few weeks ago.
Under Michael Beale, the Gers were heading for mediocrity, winning just eight of the 14 matches he took charge of while bowing out against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League qualifiers.
Following the 3-1 defeat to Aberdeen at Ibrox, he was sacked and Clement was appointed as his successor and the club haven’t looked back since.
His failings in the summer transfer market didn’t help his cause either, spending lavish sums of money on players such as Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers, and Jose Cifuentes, and they all have yet to hit the ground running.
The Light Blues haven’t enjoyed the best of relationships with the transfer window over the course of the previous few years, leading Beale, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Steven Gerrard to sign a succession of players who failed to take the club to the next level.
Former Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
There has been the odd gem littered among the dross, but ultimately, the failings in the transfer market meant the Light Blues didn’t build on their Premiership title win in 2021.
Van Bronckhorst was able to move on a few players for massive profits during his 12-month tenure in Glasgow, as Nathan Patterson and Calvin Bassey were both sold within six months of each other.
Their values should continue to increase the more experience they gain out with Scotland, but one player who left Rangers last year has seen his value decrease due to several poor performances – Joe Aribo.
Joe Aribo’s market value at Rangers
Following a relatively stable first season in charge, Gerrard aimed to bolster his squad ahead of the 2019/20 campaign in order to give Celtic a proper title challenge.
There were several new faces arriving at Ibrox that summer, with a fresh-faced Aribo being one of them. He had played nearly 100 matches for Charlton over the previous three years, and he played a part in the club securing a return to the Championship by defeating Sunderland in the League One playoff final.
He cost the Gers just £300k due to cross-border transfer rules and Gerrard was quick to praise him, saying: “He is tall, athletic and quick. He’s a box-to-box player and is not afraid to open the door when he gets around the box and he can unlock defences.”
His transfer value upon joining Rangers was just €1.1m (£950k) according to Football Transfers, but it ended up reaching a high point of €5.1m (£4.4m) during his final season at the club and this was down to some wonderful displays.
Across three productive seasons at Ibrox, Aribo played 149 times while scoring 26 goals and registering 25 assists.
He won the Premiership and Scottish Cup during his time north of the border along with becoming just the fourth-ever player to score in a major European final for the club, yet it wasn’t good enough to see Rangers win the Europa League trophy in 2022.
These performances naturally attracted attention from other clubs and last summer, Van Bronckhorst sold the Nigeria international to Southampton for a fee which could reach up to £10m.
2021/22
57
9
10
2020/21
43
8
7
2019/20
49
9
8
Stats via Transfermarkt
It was clear the Premier League was his next port of call and that Rangers was just a stepping stone in his career as he signed a four-year contract at the south coast side and move down to England for the next chapter.
The move hasn’t gone as well as first anticipated however and this has seen Aribo’s value drop dramatically over the previous 18 months.
Joe Aribo’s stats at Southampton
The Saints had established themselves as a mainstay in the Premier League since returning to the top flight in the 2012/13 campaign, yet they had flirted with relegation during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.
Aribo’s arrival looked like it could be a good one, especially with his goal-scoring form for Rangers and his obvious attacking talents, yet he couldn’t quite find his feet down south.
Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo.
The midfielder started just 13 league matches throughout the whole season, scoring twice, and he wasn’t the first choice as the club recorded just six league wins and were relegated to the Championship.
Aribo ranked in a lowly tenth position across the squad for goals and assists (two), while also ranking eighth for shots on target per game (0.4) and 15th for key passes per game (0.4) which clearly suggests he failed to live up to his big transfer fee.
Compare these stats to his final year at Rangers, and it appears as though the English top flight proved to be much harder to acclimatise to.
The 27-year-old ranked third across the Gers squad during his final season for goals and assists (13) along with ranking 13th for shots on target per game (0.5) and fifth for key passes made per game (1.5), highlighting the gap between Scotland and England.
Aribo has failed to score across 12 matches so far this term and his struggles are continuing, and his market value reflects this.
Joe Aribo’s market value at Southampton
According to Football Transfers, the midfielder is now currently valued at €4.5m (£3.9m) which represents a £6.1m drop in just over a year, indicating that Rangers struck gold by selling him for such a big fee.
While it hasn’t worked out for Aribo on the south coast, there is no doubt many of the Ibrox faithful would take him back in a heartbeat, especially with the lack of goals coming from the midfield.
The former Charlton gem was a crowd favourite during his time in Scotland and his goal against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final gave the Gers a genuine hope they could secure just their second-ever major European trophy.
It wasn’t to be, and he left the Light Blues on good terms. It’s a pity it has not worked out at Southampton for the player as when he is in the mood, opposition defences are often run ragged by his movement and superior creative talents.
If he can find his form soon, this valuation could certainly rise, there is no doubt about it.
Kieron Pollard’s team, already occupying bottom position and having the worst net run rate of the competition, had it reduced by a further 0.15 after they were found to be two overs short against Jamaica Tallawahs
ESPNcricinfo staff29-Aug-2018In a first, following the introduction of new rules in the Caribbean Premier League this year, St Lucia Stars were punished for slow over rate by having their net run rate docked. The Stars, captained by Kieron Pollard, completed their bowling innings against Jamaica Tallawahs in 94 minutes: nine minutes longer than the permissible 85. As a result, their net run rate was reduced by 0.15.The new rule punishes teams that fail to complete their 20 overs in the allotted 85 minutes, after taking into account all allowances for stoppages. In accordance with that, Stars were deemed to be two overs short. The first over results in a docking of 0.05 from the team’s NRR, with each following over reducing the NRR by 0.10.The Stars ended up losing the match by 21 runs. This latest penalty adds to their woes in what has been a wretched CPL season, where they are currently bottom of the table. They also have, by some distance, the worst net run rate in the competition, which has now been exacerbated by this latest penalty.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou reportedly wants to "replace" two players of his players as Spurs eye a move for one "incredible" star.
Spurs' form under Postecoglou
Nobody could have envisaged such a bright start to the season for Postecoglou, nor could they guess that Spurs would be making their best start to a campaign since their double win in 1961. The Lilywhites have clinched victory in six of their opening eight league matches, remaining unbeaten over that period while sitting top of the Premier League table. Tottenham faced tough, tough tests against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool in that time, but came through both matches unphased and undeterred.
Speaking after their 2-2 draw away to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last month, Postecoglou heaped praise on his Tottenham squad for a growing will and desire to improve as a team.
"There's a real will and desire to become the team we want to be, which includes making sure that you're disciplined and you're buying into the team ethos and we had a really young team out there," said Postecoglou to Tottenham's official website.
"Vic, that's his first derby, Destiny, van de Ven, Pape Matar Sarr, Brennan, they're all in their early twenties, Porro, even Kulusevski is only 23, so it was a young team but just super proud of the experienced players we did have in there. Romero was outstanding, Bissouma has been brilliant all year, Maddison, and Sonny was just on a different level, not just his goals, although they were outstanding, but his work rate, his work ethic was incredible."
Who could Spurs sign in January?
Despite their electric form right now, it has been claimed that the north Londoners could move to strengthen their ranks in the new year. Indeed, one of the rumoured transfer targets is Al-Ittihad winger Jota, who could well be on the move back to Europe after very little time in Saudi Arabia.
Former Celtic stars Josip Juranovic and Jota.
There are reports that the former Celtic star is keen to reunite with his ex-boss at Tottenham (90min), and it is believed the feeling is very much mutual from Postecoglou. Now, a new report has shed light on this, with journalist Rudy Galetti sharing a Jota transfer update for Tribal Football. He says that Postecoglou's "priority" is to "replace" both Ivan Perisic and Manor Solomon on that side with another option, leading to Tottenham's interest in signing Jota next year.
Nothing is added beyond that point, but we believe Jota could be an excellent alternative to the Spurs duo. Pundit Alan Hutton, speaking last year, revealed he is a big fan of the "incredible" Portuguese.
"Jota's only 23-years-old, he's still developing," explained Hutton to Football Insider.
"He's probably only going to get better, I think he can get better. What he's done this season has been incredible, for him to come from his parent club, where he's not really been playing. Benfica are a big club in their own right but to come to another club where there's a lot of pressure, to perform at such a young age, he's stood up to that task.
“Jota's that player fans want to see. He's exciting, he takes people on, he makes things happen, he scores goals and ticks all the boxes."
Tottenham Hotspur are back in much-awaited Premier League action today, and face yet another tough test as they welcome high-flying Liverpool to north London.
As a couple of sides who both remain unbeaten in the league, it promises to be quite the spectacle, although the hosts will remain confident of claiming victory against anyone given their current form.
Who is injured for Spurs vs Liverpool?
However, Ange Postecoglou could be set to face his real first crisis since taking over the Lilywhites, as he outlined a few key potential absentees for the all-important clash.
Speaking to reporters, the former Celtic man updated them on the fitness of his Deadline Day signing, as well as his two star men: "From last week, Brennan will miss out – it’s nothing too serious but he won’t be right for this week.
"Madders and Sonny trained today, just finished the session and seemed to get through it not too bad. We’ll just have to see how they pull up as it's fair to say they were a bit sore after last week and had a bit of an interrupted week training so just a matter of seeing how they pull up."
Whilst the former is hardly the biggest absentee, although his pace would have been greatly appreciated to terrorise the Merseyside outfit, the late calls set to be made on Heung-min Son and James Maddison will have supporters worrying up until the release of team news.
Fortunately, the recall of Manor Solomon now seems almost inevitable, with his skillset and specific role perhaps set to be more important in claiming a huge victory than that pair.
How good is Manor Solomon?
Having only joined on a free transfer in the summer, the £60k-per-week flyer has hit the ground running at his new club, offering an electric creative presence down the flank.
Jamie Redknapp would even describe the stocky winger as a "pocket rocket" last term, given his compact frame but a frightening change of pace.
Although his tenure at Fulham was largely overshadowed by a string of scorching long-range goals since starting for Spurs the Iraeli speedster has begun offering more consistency, outlined in his 7.20 average rating.
The 24-year-old has two assists already from just two starts, whilst also averaging an impressive 2.3 key passes per game. It is this clinical cutting-edge that could prove integral today, as Postecoglou will surely seek to utilise the speed of Solomon to exploit the space Trent Alexander-Arnold often leaves as he pushes into midfield.
With the Reds' academy graduate expected to be fit, Jurgen Klopp had admitted back in April that the new hybrid role presented "a challenge for everyone else to cover the spaces".
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Should they fail to do so, then there are few better than Spurs' dynamic runner to exploit such space.
After all, The Guardian even pointed out how Harry Winks managed it back in May, which is a template that Postecoglou could seek to emulate:
"Liverpool’s worries came at the back, especially when Alexander‑Arnold moved into midfield and Tottenham countered at speed. It left Liverpool short in defence and Spurs showed how they could be exploited."
Whilst Alexander-Arnold, when on form, could devastate the Lilywhites, should Solomon keep him honest with hard work and relentless running in behind, not only will it provide a potent attacking outlet, but it could also nullify the visitors as they seek to plug the gap.