This week, Tottenham saw what would have been its second title of the calendar year slip away after winning the Europa League. Thomas Frank’s team had prepared well for the European champions PSG, who were under pressure for most of the game, in the European Super Cup match, but in the final minutes, the Spurs squandered a two-goal lead: first, Lee pulled one back in the 85th minute, then Gonçalo Ramos scored the equalizer to make it 2-2, sending the game to penalties.
The penalties proved fatal for Tottenham, with van de Ven and Tel both missing. It was a bitter blow for the London club, which could have psychological repercussions on their opening league match against newly promoted Burnley. The Clarets immediately regained their place in the top flight, dominating the Championship alongside Leeds (100 points and the best defense with only 16 goals conceded): Scott Parker dreams of a comfortable survival, even if the season has not started in the best possible way. Burnley have lost their last three friendlies (the last two against Stoke City and Lazio), showing some difficulties in attack. In fact, the absence of the injured Amdouni weighs heavily in attack, and Brownhill’s departure on a free transfer was also a significant blow. Despite the disappointment of the Super Cup result, the Spurs should start off on the right foot, managing to break down Burnley’s far from fragile defense.
Predictions for other matches
Among the teams that looked most impressive in preseason is Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton, who are looking to improve on last year’s excellent eighth-place finish (just missing out on Europe). However, the Seagulls will need to improve their defense—55 goals conceded is too many to aim for anything more—which has looked vulnerable in the four games played so far (only one clean sheet).
It will be difficult to keep a clean sheet against Fulham, another team that has impressed in its early outings: three wins against Nottingham Forest, Al-Ittihad, and Eintracht Frankfurt. There should be no shortage of goals in Sunderland-West Ham either: the Black Cats are returning to the Premier League after eight years away, and West Ham, coming off a poor season, will have to be wary of their enthusiasm.
However, Sunderland’s numerous defeats in friendlies suggest a positive result for the Londoners, who are starting afresh under Graham Potter, a coach looking to revive their fortunes.
West Ham or a draw (in Sunderland-West Ham)
Tottenham (in Tottenham-Burnley)
The match with at least three goals in total
Brighton-Fulham
Premier League: matches with at least one goal per team
Brighton-Fulham
Sunderland-West Ham
Odds comparison
Tottenham’s victory is quoted at 1.35 on Lottomatica and Snai. The “Goal” sign in Brighton-Fulham is quoted at 1.60 on Lottomatica and 1.57 on Snai.
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