Premier League: The Last Thing Ange Needs is a Bee Sting

Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is always good value, a great communicator, and the embodiment of positivity and his football teams are always fun to watch.

But the Premier League is a results business, and Spurs have simply failed to deliver this season. 13 defeats from 23 league games has left the North Londoners in 15^th place, albeit a comfortable eight points above the drop zone. But that is nothing to cheer for the expectant Spurs fans, and they must fear that Sunday’s date might make matters even worse.

Last week, Thomas Frank’s Bees won 2-1 away to Crystal Palace to leave them 11^th in the table, while Spurs lost 2-1 at home to strugglers Leicester City. Tottenham were in Europa League action on Thursday night at home to IF Elfsborg, and their young stars came out with a 3-0 win. But back to the serious business of Premier League football, the first string desperately needs a result.

So, while Liverpool and Arsenal lead the table the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City battle it out for top four places, the long-suffering Tottenham fans will take anything that will end their four-match losing streak in the league. If they don’t then things might get ugly for Ange.

 

Talking Points

Brentford are through the choppy waters

After facing the might of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool in recent weeks the Bees dropped into the bottom half of the table, but they got back to winning ways last week with a 2-1 victory away to Crystal Palace to celebrate Frank’s 300^th game in charge. Bryan Mbeumo gave Brentford a lead with his second attempt from the penalty spot after VAR had spotted that Marc Guehi had encroached, and Kevin Schade doubled the lead. A late goal from Romain Esse gave the Eagles a sniff, but Frank’s boys held on for a welcome three points.

The win was particularly pleasing for the Brentford boss, who has seen his team labour on the road while being impressive at home, picking up the third most points at home this season and scoring more goals at home than any other team. The pre-match Premier League 2025 betting odds support the Bees to make it back-to-back wins and the strike partnership of Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, who have 14 and 11 goals, are a huge factor. With assists coming from Mikkel Damsgaard, this is a team which can cut any defence apart, and Spurs have a habit of shipping goals when under the slightest pressure.

 

Can Spurs bring Euro success home?

Tottenham are through to the Europa League Round of 16 without the need for a play-off after their young guns Dane Scarlett, Oyindamola Ajayi, and Mikey Moore all scored in a comfortable 3-0 win over Elfsborg.

Last week, they had a 3-2 win away to TSG Hoffenheim, and that time it was the senior players James Maddison and Heung-Min Son who scored the goals, a brace for the Korean striker.

But sandwiched between these European successes was a baffling home defeat to Leicester City, which ended the Foxes’ run of seven league defeats and extended Spurs’ sad sequence to four. Tottenham’s only league win in their last 11 games was over already doomed Southampton, and when you see that Brentford whacked the Saints 5-0 at the beginning of January, that is little or no comfort.

This time last year, Spurs were fifth in the table with 44 points and right now they are in 15^th with four. They have struggled with injuries, and the return of some key players will surely help. Captain Son has made six assists since his return and defender Micky van de Ven made a long-awaited return from injury against Elfsborg. The speedy centre-back would be a welcome addition on Saturday as I expect Brentford’s lightning quick attackers to feature heavily in the Premier League 2025 highlights.

 

History

The Whites have had the better of the head-to-head meetings with four wins, three draws, and one defeat, but they have not won in their last three visits to the Brentford Community Stadium. When the two met in North London back in September, Spurs came out on top in a 3-1 victory as Dominic Solanke opened his account for the Whites.

There’s not a lot to choose between the two teams in recent weeks. Brentford have won two, drawn one, and lost three in all competitions, while Tottenham have won three and lost three. But then, Spurs’ wins have all been in cup competition. 

 

Betting Tip

Brentford are clear favourites to win this all London derby with Spurs at SBOTOP odds of 2.76 and the draw is priced at 3.53. Home advantage for the Bees, and Spurs’ chaotic form leads me to back the Bees and, for an alternative bet, I’d go for Over 3.50 at odds of 1.93.

   

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