Coming off three consecutive defeats and dealing with several injuries, how will Spurs fare during a full December schedule?
Here are our match predictions for the entire month of December as 2023 comes to a close.
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Sunday, December 3: at Man City
Despite outplaying Aston Villa for much of the last match, Spurs fell 2-1 to drop out of the Champions League places for the first time this season.
After a rough end to November, Tottenham’s path back to European football will not get any easier to start the last month of the year.
While Spurs have played well against Man City of late – they have won three of the last four matchups – the timing of this clash could not come at a worse time.
Not only is Tottenham missing a significant amount of the squad due to injury or suspension (Football.London), but City is also coming off a 3-2 comeback win in the Champions League and are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Prediction: Man City 3-1 Spurs
Thursday, December 7: vs. West Ham
Facing a London rival in the second of a tough three-match stretch, Tottenham will look to keep West Ham from gaining ground on a European spot.
The Hammers are on a decent run of form – four straight wins in all competitions – but can be inconsistent in both scoring goals and allowing them.
Two of West Ham’s recent wins were 1-0 results in the Europa League, but they have only kept one clean sheet in the Premier League this season (September 30 vs. Sheffield United).
If Spurs can find the back of the net against a side that has won just twice against teams in the top half of the table, it will likely result in three points.
Prediction: Spurs 2-1 West Ham
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Sunday, December 10: vs. Newcastle
Playing their third match in one week, Tottenham hosts a team that is just three points behind them in the standings.
While the battle with Newcastle will take place in North London, playing so many fixtures in a tight window might start to take its toll on Spurs, if it hasn’t already.
And while the Magpies have recorded inconsistent results across all competitions, they are the joint second-highest-scoring team in the Premier League (31 goals).
As a side hampered by injuries, Spurs will be unable to keep high-scoring Newcastle from notching multiple goals.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Spurs
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: The official Nottingham Forest club badge on a corner flag during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and West Ham United at City Ground on August 14, 2022 in Nottingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
Friday, December 15: at Nottingham Forest
Tottenham’s fixtures get a bit lighter at this point in the month, with the squad getting multiple days to rest and recover both before and after this match.
The extra time off should help Spurs come out strong against Nottingham Forest, a club currently sitting 15th in the table.
Even though this is an away match, Tottenham should be able to score multiple goals against a side that has allowed the fifth-most in the league (21).
Forest has also recorded just one victory against a top-half side (Aston Villa), so Spurs should have their way with an overall struggling team.
Prediction: Spurs 2-0 Nottingham Forest
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Saturday, December 23: vs. Everton
Following an eight-day break, Spurs will battle a club making more headlines off the pitch than on it.
Tottenham will host an Everton side that was recently deducted 10 points for violating the league’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), and the latest news is they could be facing another loss of points (Goal).
The Toffees have quite a mountain to climb, as they now sit in 19th place, only ahead of Burnley on goal difference.
Spurs should be able to defeat a team at home that is struggling both on and off the pitch.
Prediction: Spurs 3-1 Everton
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: A general view of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, home of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 8, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephanie Meek – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Thursday, December 28: at Brighton
Much like the Villa match that capped off November, Spurs’ match with Brighton will likely be a wide-open affair that features plenty of scoring chances.
Brighton love to create chances and score goals, with their 28 league tallies behind only Aston Villa (31) and Man City’s (33) totals.
Tottenham aren’t far behind on the goalscoring charts (25) and should be able to take advantage of a less-than-stellar defence.
While Brighton plays with an ultra-attacking style, it also leaves plenty of chances for opposing sides to create scoring opportunities. So far this season, the Seagulls have yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League.
Prediction: Spurs 2-2 Brighton
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Sunday, December 31: vs. Bournemouth
Spurs end 2023 with what is likely its most favorable opposition of the seven December matches.
Hosting 16th place Bournemouth, Tottenham will look to end the year on a high note with a win and three points.
The Cherries have the third-worst goal differential in the Premier League (-14) and have allowed the third-highest goal total (28) while also scoring the fifth least (14).
Spurs should be able to beat a side that struggles to score goals and that can’t keep them out of the back of their own net.
Prediction: Spurs 2-0 Bournemouth
Final analysis
With seven fixtures and a slew of injuries, Spurs could have a tough end to the calendar year.
Playing seven matches during the month, I predict Tottenham to come away with 13 of a possible 21 points, recording four wins, two defeats, and a draw.
This would put Spurs at 39 points through 20 matches, which would likely keep them in contention for the top four.
For comparison, Tottenham was fifth in the table last season after Matchweek 20 on 33 points.
If Spurs can win the matches they are favoured in and perhaps pick up a surprise result, they will be in good shape to compete for a Champions League spot in the new year, especially as some important players begin to return from injury.
Where do you see Spurs in the table at the end of the year?
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