A trophy is out of the question, but Tottenham can still make the 2022/23 season a relatively successful one by securing a top-four spot.
Most of the talk around Spurs at the moment is of the future with it being very much unclear whether Antonio Conte and Harry Kane will stay at the club beyond the current campaign.
Whether they do or not could largely depend on whether Champions League qualification is secured, making the upcoming games hugely important ones.
After some time off thanks to the international break, Tottenham will return to action with a trip to Goodison Park, a place where they’ve often struggled.
Spurs haven’t won any of their last four matches at Everton, drawing three of them and losing 5-4 in an FA Cup thriller two years ago.
They did prevail last time the two sides met though, winning 2-0 courtesy of goals from Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
This clash could have a huge effect on which English clubs are playing Champions League football next season, with Brighton looking to do themselves.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side have been in contention for a top-four spot all season and would perhaps be more likely than Spurs to claim one if they can win in North London.
Tottenham haven’t been as comfortable against Bournemouth in recent times as you’d expect, only winning two of the last four matches between the two and doing so narrowly on those occasions with 3-2 victories.
That being said, the Cherries have never managed to avoid defeat when playing away in this fixture and won’t be expected to do so this time given their struggles this season.
Like Spurs, Newcastle too will be somewhat disappointed if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season having often occupied a spot in the top four.
They looked like a side ready to compete against Europe’s biggest sides when they won in North London earlier this season, prevailing 2-1 in a tight affair.
Manchester United have pulled away from Tottenham in the fight for third, starting to look like a top team again under the leadership of Erik ten Hag.
Their improved form has seen them win the Carabao Cup and stay in the FA Cup and Europa League, and that busy schedule could give Spurs an advantage in this game.
Depending on how the matches prior to it pan out, this could be a huge game for the top-four fight. Liverpool can very much get themselves back into contention if they go on a good run of form.
That would make Spurs fans nervous given how their club has done against the Reds in recent times, with Jurgen Klopp and co not losing any of the last 11 clashes between the two, winning eight of them.
Credit: 90min.com
