Aside from the final 10 minutes against PSG, Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur has been quite impressive. Everyone knows to not overreact to the start of a new regime (see: Ange Postecoglou’s first 10 matches in charge), but it is hard to not get excited about how Spurs now look. Even with the frustration of the transfer window, which mercifully looks to be having a happy ending, the show has continued on.
Next on the list is Bournemouth, who erased a 2-0 deficit at Anfield in the league’s opening
fixture before surrendering two late Liverpool goals. The Cherries bounced back last weekend against Wolves, though fell on Tuesday to Brentford in the League Cup. This is a decent side, but Frank should really begin his (domestic) Spurs career with three wins in three.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, August 30
Time: 10:00 am ET, 3:00 pm UK
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
TV: Peacock (US)
Table: Tottenham (t-1st, 6 pts), Bournemouth (t-6th, 3 pts)
Spurs are just 3-1-2 against the Cherries since their recent promotion, taking only one point from the fixtures last season. At the Vitality, it was a 1-0 loss in early December, while a two-goal comeback in March salvaged a point at home. Pape Sarr scored the opener on a mishit cross, while Heung-Min Son earned, then scored a penalty against Kepa Arrizabalaga to make it 2-2.
Three Big Questions
What is the plan against Antoine Semenyo? It feels like forever ago that Semenyo was on Tottenham’s (alleged) potential transfer list, but Bournemouth did well to extend the star attacker. Semenyo scored 11 in the league last season and already has two goals and an assist over the first two weeks. Though the Cherries were actually middle of the pack in goals scored last year, they were 4th in xG, so this is an outfit that can cause a threat.
Spurs have been very impressive defensively so far, boasting two clean sheets and limiting a dangerous PSG front for nearly the entire match. The healthy centerback duo — and emergence of Djed Spence — are a big reason why, but the midfield deserves a ton of credit, with Pape Sarr, Joao Palhinha, and Rodrigo Bentancur controlling the middle of the Etihad. Bournemouth may not be on the level of City, but again breaking up attacks before they even reach the penalty area would be welcomed.
How will Frank mix up this one? Frank is very clearly demonstrating a desire to maintain ultimate tactical flexibility week-to-week, a practice that feels more and more different from his predecessor. As the season picks up and the Champions League begins, patterns are likely to emerge, but for now it is a little difficult to know exactly what to expect on any given weekend.
Bournemouth at home falls right in the middle difficulty-wise compared to the first two matches. Spurs should enjoy possession, but must be aware of Semenyo and friends in transition. This is not a match that calls for a back three, though I do wonder if it makes sense to push the fullbacks higher and play a bunch of central midfielders. I am not in the lineup-prediction business, but I do expect at least one surprise from Frank.
Will Spurs be cautious with the ball and the lead? Liverpool’s inability to protect its two-goal advantage should be a cautionary tale for Tottenham. Though Spurs have done a good job of taking the air out of the ball after going ahead, this area has obviously been a huge weakness over the past couple seasons and must be significantly improved. Early returns are promising, but Saturday could be yet another test.
The Cherries were good defensively last season (6th fewest goals allowed), but lost three-fourths of the backline this summer (plus Arrizabalaga) in Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and Milos Kerkez. Spurs should feel good about being able to find the back of the net a couple times against this new-look defense and keep controlling the midfield to limit chances the other way. Bournemouth can certainly punish on the counter, but the home side should be well positioned in this one.
