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Spirits are high in London as things couldn’t be more different than this time last year. Gone for now are the coaching concerns that surrounded the squad heading into last season as Antonio Conte is at the helm and everyone has fallen in line to help bring his vision to life. There’s always a slight worry that Conte will be fired if things don’t go his way, but at this point it’s down to the players on the pitch. Conte has been heavily backed with Spurs making six additions so far. Richarlison may be suspended for the match but Ivan Perisic he could make his debut on the same day as Conte tries to balance Premier League and Champions League play with a deeper squad at his disposal.
With so much news, it would seem like a good time Southampton to make a trip to face Spurs, but with Conte having the same lineup that ended last season at his disposal, he can take his time sleeping on the new signings if he wants to. For Ralph Hasenhüttl this should be a concern as Southampton have seen huge turnover this summer.
The team has returned to the roots of youth development, but is now adopting something closer to the system Hasenhüttl was used to with Red Bull, buying the best available youngsters from elsewhere rather than relying solely on academy production. Southampton have made five signings and only Joe Airbo is over 20. That could bode well for the future, but in a battle of youth versus experience, an early goal from Spurs could see the game slip away.
Here are our stories, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Saturday, August 6 | year: 10 am. ET
- Location: Tottenham Stadium – London, England
- TV/Live Stream: Peacock
- Chance: Spurs -280; Draw +400? Southampton +750 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Selected game | Tottenham vs Southampton
Stories
Spurs: Richarlison will miss the game through suspension, so the Tottenham faithful will have to wait at least one more game for his full debut. Oliver Skip has been ruled out due to complications related to a broken leg. New signature Yves Bissouma it will also be a late fitness test due to a thigh injury that could see Conte roll with his midfield Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur who helped secure Champions League qualification last season. Matt Doherty and Perisic may also not be in danger from the start, as he would see Ryan Sessegnon and Emerson The Royal Deputy as a wing back.
Southampton: Hasenhüttl has most of the team available Valentino Livramento as the only long-term absentee. Theo Walcott is also excluded along with Nathan Tella but all others are available. Trying to predict Southampton’s line-up as an away team is difficult James Ward-ProwseMohamed Salisu and Kyle Walker-Peters, anyone could start or sit down and it wouldn’t be particularly weird. Hasenhüttl will be hoping this will make it difficult for Conte to prepare for the match.
Prophecy
Spurs have too much quality to succumb to Southampton on the opening day of the season. They will certainly need to do a professional job, but there is no one on the Saints who can hold back Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son. Choose: Spurs 3, Southampton 1
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