Tottenham’s next six games compared to Arsenal and Manchester City

Ange Postecoglou couldn’t have hoped for a much better start to his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, with whispers around north London about a potential title challenge beginning to grow.

Spurs jumped to the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Luton Town on Saturday lunchtime, a sixth win in eight league games for the new Australian coach. The Lilywhites’ free-scoring, gung-ho approach has endeared itself to supporters after years of misery under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, with the feel-good factor returning to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But Tottenham will face stiffer tests than Luton this year as they vie for top spot with Arsenal and Manchester City among others over the next eight months. Last season’s leading duo will take some shifting.

Here’s how Tottenham’s next six matches compare to their potential title rivals.

Tottenham won’t have to leave the capital until November with three London derbies on the horizon. Trips to Fulham and Crystal Palace follow the international break and, while not the fiercest rivalries, they have the potential to be banana skins for Spurs.

A home clash with Chelsea in early November will undoubtedly be a tough test, although Spurs will likely enter that derby as strong favourites based on both sides’ current form. Five days later comes a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux – a venue that Man City have already lost at this season – followed by an encounter with fellow Midlands outfit Aston Villa.

Tottenham’s first game in December will provide the sternest test of Postecoglou’s credentials to date with a trip to the Etihad to face Man City. The champions’ clash with Spurs comes in the midst of a challenging run for the Cityzens, with Spurs hopeful of taking advantage of their tricky fixture list.

Arsenal‘s European commitments mean that they have an incredibly busy period coming up, only really being offered a rest during international breaks. By the time Tottenham play Man City on 2 December, the Gunners will have played five more matches than their north London foes.

That all starts on Sunday afternoon with a menacing encounter against Man City. The good news for Tottenham supporters is that at least one of the two clubs will drop points, with a draw keeping Spurs in top spot over the international period.

When the Premier League returns, Arsenal face a trip to fellow London rivals Chelsea, before going up against Sevilla in a crucial Champions League away tie just three days later. The Gunners will then host Sheffield United in the league before their Carabao Cup round of 16 tie with West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s nerves will be put to the test over the next month with Arsenal concluding their next six games by visiting high-flying Newcastle United in the Premier League.

Similarly to Arsenal, the treble-winners have a busy period on the horizon. A trip to Arsenal on Sunday will be Pep Guardiola’s sternest challenge of the season to date, but a pretty tough run of Premier League fixtures is to follow. Luckily, there are several simple European ties to punctuate a potentially difficult period.

The champions host Brighton & Hove Albion after the international break with Roberto De Zerbi’s side always good for an upset. A trip to Switzerland to face Young Boys in the Champions League follows as Man City look to continue their perfect record in the group stage.

Just four days later comes one of the biggest games of any City season: a trip to Old Trafford. Manchester United may not be in the best shape at present, but it’s a ground that the Cityzens have often struggled at in recent campaigns.

A seemingly straightforward home encounter with Bournemouth comes afterwards before a return fixture with Young Boys at the Etihad in Europe. Clashes with Chelsea, Liverpool and RB Leipzig will come and go prior to City’s home clash with Tottenham in early December.

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