Arsenal, Bournemouth, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Everton, Hull City, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Swansea City
Last season
Leicester's biggest challengers for the remainder of the season, Tottenham enjoyed a buoyant 2015/16. With the emergence of young Englishmen Dele Alli and Harry Kane, Spurs found themselves challenging for the title for the majority of the season. However, as it became increasingly obvious that Leicester's momentum was not going to end, Tottenham struggled to see out the season, eventually falling behind their local rivals on the final day.
Leicester's biggest challengers for the remainder of the season, Tottenham enjoyed a buoyant 2015/16. With the emergence of young Englishmen Dele Alli and Harry Kane, Spurs found themselves challenging for the title for the majority of the season. However, as it became increasingly obvious that Leicester's momentum was not going to end, Tottenham struggled to see out the season, eventually falling behind their local rivals on the final day.
Backroom setup
After such a strong year last time around, it comes as little surprise that Mauricio Pochettino has been retained as manager, meaning that Spurs have the consistency that many of their rivals lack (if you exclude Arsenal, of course!).
What has changed slightly is where the backroom is going to be for certain matches. While Tottenham look to renovate their current stadium, all home league and cup matches will be played at White Hart Lane, but all Champions League games are to be played across the city at Wembley, providing a few marquee games for the Spurs fans to go and watch.
After such a strong year last time around, it comes as little surprise that Mauricio Pochettino has been retained as manager, meaning that Spurs have the consistency that many of their rivals lack (if you exclude Arsenal, of course!).
What has changed slightly is where the backroom is going to be for certain matches. While Tottenham look to renovate their current stadium, all home league and cup matches will be played at White Hart Lane, but all Champions League games are to be played across the city at Wembley, providing a few marquee games for the Spurs fans to go and watch.
Pre-season
A very short one, as Spurs chose only to compete in the International Champions Cup. While that does offer them a considerable challenge, and push them against some of the most successful sides in Europe, will that provide the match fitness necessary to maintain the momentum from their 3rd place finish last year?
Regardless, the cup itself can hardly be seen as an overwhelming success for Mauricio Pochettino's men. Beginning with a 2-1 defeat to reigning Serie A champions Juventus, the London side then went down 0-1 to Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid. While the Lily Whites did turn in a much improved performance to destroy Inter Milan 6-1, with goals from Alli, Kane, Lamela, Janssen and Harrison, is one win in three games really a strong return, and the stuff of champions?
A very short one, as Spurs chose only to compete in the International Champions Cup. While that does offer them a considerable challenge, and push them against some of the most successful sides in Europe, will that provide the match fitness necessary to maintain the momentum from their 3rd place finish last year?
Regardless, the cup itself can hardly be seen as an overwhelming success for Mauricio Pochettino's men. Beginning with a 2-1 defeat to reigning Serie A champions Juventus, the London side then went down 0-1 to Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid. While the Lily Whites did turn in a much improved performance to destroy Inter Milan 6-1, with goals from Alli, Kane, Lamela, Janssen and Harrison, is one win in three games really a strong return, and the stuff of champions?
Squad and signings
There is not all that much to say on the transfer front either. Comparatively, Spurs have spent far less than any of their main rivals, investing in just two players: Victor Wanyama from Southampton for £11m, and Vincent Janssen from AZ Alkmaar for £17m. While both will strengthen the squad, will that be enough to rival the £150m and nearly £175m that Manchester City and United have spent respectively?
They have, however, managed to retain all of their top talent from last season. While there will have been rumbling surrounding Harry Kane, and I'm sure Pochettino took a few calls about his star man, all of Spurs' key players have remained at the club. This may provide them with a bit of consistency, meaning that they can hit the ground running when the season starts and avoiding that awkward period when a new manager and players look to bed in.
There is not all that much to say on the transfer front either. Comparatively, Spurs have spent far less than any of their main rivals, investing in just two players: Victor Wanyama from Southampton for £11m, and Vincent Janssen from AZ Alkmaar for £17m. While both will strengthen the squad, will that be enough to rival the £150m and nearly £175m that Manchester City and United have spent respectively?
They have, however, managed to retain all of their top talent from last season. While there will have been rumbling surrounding Harry Kane, and I'm sure Pochettino took a few calls about his star man, all of Spurs' key players have remained at the club. This may provide them with a bit of consistency, meaning that they can hit the ground running when the season starts and avoiding that awkward period when a new manager and players look to bed in.
Tactics
I'm not even sure I need to write anything in here, as it's not going to change. Cue fast, attacking football with extensive use of the flying wing-backs Rose and Walker, as well as guile and flair from the likes of Alli, Eriksen and Lamela. Dembele and Dier will provide the perfect foil for the back pairing of Vertonghen and Alderweireld, while Harry Kane will be looking to continue his outstanding scoring streak (if you ignore his woeful Euro 2016!).
I'm not even sure I need to write anything in here, as it's not going to change. Cue fast, attacking football with extensive use of the flying wing-backs Rose and Walker, as well as guile and flair from the likes of Alli, Eriksen and Lamela. Dembele and Dier will provide the perfect foil for the back pairing of Vertonghen and Alderweireld, while Harry Kane will be looking to continue his outstanding scoring streak (if you ignore his woeful Euro 2016!).
Predictions
If last year was a close but no cigar moment, I feel this year will be essentially the same thing but a bit further down. With resurgence promised from all three of City, United and Chelsea, as well as the inevitable fact of Arsenal finishing above them, I can see Spurs narrowly missing out on the top 4, dropping into the much maligned 5th spot and taking their place back in the Europa League.
Final position: 5th
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