Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham handed Europa League challenge with key issue already clear

Staff
By Staff

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham team only played 41 games in all competitions last season as a result of no European football and disappointing cup exits. However, that will not be the case in the 2024/25 campaign following the team’s return to Europe.

Spurs will take part in the Europa League from September onwards and UEFA’s second club competition will have a rather different look about it. Rather than operating with the usual group stage format, there will be 36 teams taking part in one big league table and each side will face eight league phase fixtures.

Add those eight games to Tottenham’s 38 league fixtures plus the team entering the third round of both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, the Lilywhites will have a minimum of 48 matches in the 2024/25 season. That total could even rise to around 60 matches if Postecoglou’s team are to go far in all three cup competitions.

As Tottenham are to face a rather hectic schedule from August onwards, a number of their Premier League fixtures will have to be moved as a result of their Europa League qualification. Spurs and their supporters will have to contend with a host of league fixtures taking place on Sunday due to Europa League games being played on a Thursday evening.

So, following the release of the 2024/25 Premier League schedule one week ago, which of Tottenham’s league fixtures in the first part of the term will be moved? football.london takes a look below.

The away fixture against Manchester United pencilled in for Saturday, September 28 could potentially be moved depending on when exactly Tottenham and the Red Devils play their first Europa League league phase game. Matchday 1 is in the calendar for both Wednesday and Thursday evening that week and the only way the fixture could avoid a change is if both teams are down to play on the opening night, unless of course it is selected for TV coverage on the Sunday anyway.

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That will all become clear at the end of August when the draw for the league phase takes place. Amid the question marks over the game against Erik ten Hag’s side, Spurs’ following match away at Brighton & Hove Albion will need to be adjusted as it is currently down to be played on Saturday, October 5, which is two days after their second European game.

Spurs’ game at Crystal Palace on Saturday, October 26 will very likely take place the following day due to their European commitments, as well as the fact that round four of the Carabao Cup is scheduled to be played a couple of days later. Tottenham’s home showdown against Ipswich Town on Saturday, November 9 will also be moved to a Sunday before domestic football goes on pause for November’s international break.

Once league football resumes later in November, Matchday five in the Europa League on Thursday, November 28 will push back Tottenham’s home game against Fulham. As a result of that change to the fixture, the midweek trip to Bournemouth will also need to be moved as it is currently in the calendar for Tuesday, December 3.

A further round of Europa League action follows in December, thus meaning there will be a change to the Southampton game that is due to take place at St Mary’s on Saturday, December 14. Whereas previously the group stage in UEFA’s three club competitions would come to a close in the middle of December, European football carries on into late January due to the expansion of the competitions.

As a result of that, there will be changes to Tottenham’s home game against Leicester and away trip to Brentford. Due to the amount of travelling when it comes to European games, clubs always like their home comforts on their return to Premier League football.

For Spurs, they will be at home three times directly after European games, with the other five coming away from home. In comparison, Chelsea have six of their eight fixtures (including play-off games) at home immediately after Europa Conference League matches.

Very much a big season for Postecoglou and Spurs as the Australian looks to achieve his lofty ambitions in north London, all Tottenham supporters will have their fingers crossed that it turns out to be a memorable one at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham Premier League matches to be moved due to European involvement:

Saturday, September 28 – Manchester United vs Tottenham

Saturday, October 5 – Brighton & Hove Albion vs Tottenham

Saturday, October 26 – Crystal Palace vs Tottenham

Saturday, November 9 – Tottenham vs Ipswich

Saturday, November 30 – Tottenham vs Fulham

Tuesday, December 3 – Bournemouth vs Tottenham

Saturday, December 14 – Southampton vs Tottenham

Saturday, January 25 – Tottenham vs Leicester

Saturday, February 1 – Brentford vs Tottenham

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