Tottenham Hopes to Bounce Back Against Struggling Southampton

LONDON, England — Tottenham Hotspur will look to end their recent slide when they host bottom-dwelling Southampton on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The match comes after Tottenham suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, marking their 16th loss of the season.

Despite their recent struggles, Spurs remain hopeful. Manager Ange Postecoglou’s squad is under pressure to deliver a win, especially given their current standing in the Premier League. Tottenham sits 14th, level on points with Everton, having only secured one win in their last seven matches, including four losses.

“We need to find a way to win,” Postecoglou said after the defeat at Chelsea. “It’s important for our confidence and for the supporters who travel with us.”

Tottenham’s defense has seen improvements, with Micky van de Ven expected to return from cramp despite missing the Chelsea clash. However, forward Richarlison has returned to full training and could play a part in Sunday’s game. Dejan Kulusevski and Kevin Danso are sidelined for a couple more weeks, while Paul Onuachu of Southampton faces a fitness test on an ankle injury.

On the other hand, Southampton is desperate for points as they find themselves in a precarious position. With only ten points and two wins all season, they are just a loss away from confirming relegation. The team managed a draw against Crystal Palace in their last outing, which was emotionally beneficial but not enough to pull them out of the drop zone.

“We’re fighting to avoid making history for all the wrong reasons,” Southampton manager Ivan Jurić said. “Every game is a final for us.”

Flynn Downes will miss Sunday’s match due to a two-match suspension after accumulating ten yellow cards this season. However, Southampton could be bolstered by the return of players like Ryan Manning and Lesley Ugochukwu, who have recovered from minor injuries.

The two clubs have a storied rivalry, but Tottenham has had the upper hand recently, winning seven of their last eight home matches against Southampton. Their previous match ended dramatically, with Spurs defeating the Saints 5-0, highlighting the disparity between the two teams this season.

Kick-off is set for 2 p.m. BST, with referee Michael Salisbury officiating the match. Fans are crushingly aware that failure to secure points on Sunday could seal Southampton’s fate in the Premier League.

Onuachu and Manning are expected to lead Southampton’s attack, while Tottenham is projected to unveil their top performers to regain some form before their Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt later in the week.

Postecoglou’s squad must find their footing against a Southampton side that could surprise Spurs if they let their guard down. The stakes have never been higher for both clubs.