- Core Players & Star Quality
Tottenham
• Key starters include Pedro Porro (2G, 6A), Dominic Solanke (9G, 3A), and Brennan Johnson (11G, 3A).
• Creative hub James Maddison (9G, 7A) is sidelined until February 2026 → huge midfield creativity loss.
• Defensive line led by Romero and Van de Ven; Porro offers attacking thrust from fullback.
• Cole piece missing: injuries to Kulusevski, Udogie, Bissouma, Dragusin reduce stability.
• Attack remains competitive with Kudus, Son, Solanke, Johnson, but depth under pressure.
Bournemouth
• Core contributors: Semenyo (11G, 5A), Kluivert (12G, 6A), Evanilson (10G, 1A).
• Wide creativity through Christie (2131 mins, 2G, 3A) and Ouattara (7G, 4A), but Ouattara has now departed.
• Defense structured by Zabarnyi and Senesi; midfield balance with Lewis Cook (injury doubt).
• Attack more diversified compared to last season → still heavily reliant on Kluivert/Semenyo.
- Departures Impact
Tottenham
• Major departure is Son Heung-Min (7G, 9A, 2118 minutes) top motivator.
• Challenge is more about injuries than transfers. Maddison (long-term), Kulusevski (until Nov), and Dragusin (until Oct) force rotation.
Bournemouth
• Lost Kerkez (LB), Huijsen (CB), Ouattara (LW), Kepa (GK), Mbeumo (forward impact) → depth diminished.
• Kerkez exit especially hurts left defensive stability.
• Attack still competitive but less creative depth overall.
- New Player Integration
Tottenham
• Kudus (5G, 3A) adds versatile creativity across midfield/attack.
• Palhinha (DM) improves ball-winning and defensive balance.
• Youth injections: Luka Vuskovic (CB prospect), Mikey Moore (17, RW), Bergvall (19, DM) showing early promise.
• Overall: arrivals boost squad rotation but injuries prevent optimal integration.
Bournemouth
• Additions: Petrovic (GK), Truffert (LB), Kroupi (youth forward), Faivre (3G, 2A), Billing (MF depth), Aarons (RB cover).
• Truffert + Faivre improve wing play, but none fully replace Kerkez or match top-6 club levels.
• Squad sees depth increase, but new signings lack elite punch.
- Assists & Goals Output
Tottenham
• Richarlison (4G, 1A) is the new motivator.
• Johnson (11G, 3A) and Solanke (9G, 3A) support as secondary scorers.
• Maddison’s absence cuts off high-volume creative supply (9G, 7A).
• Kudus + Porro add playmaking, but output beyond frontline limited.
Bournemouth
• Kluivert (12G, 6A) and Semenyo (11G, 5A) carry most of the attacking burden.
• Evanilson (10G, 1A) offers finishing presence.
• Midfielders contribute lightly (Cook, Adams).
• Heavy reliance on front 3 makes them predictable against structured defenses.
- Substitutes’ Experience & Depth
Tottenham
• Options include Bryan Gil (injured), Palhinha, Bergvall, Bissouma (doubtful), Odobert (youth winger).
• Bentancur, Romero, Van de Ven returnees give defensive solidity when fit.
• Bench stretched thin → lack of attacking spark without Maddison/Kulusevski.
Bournemouth
• Rotation players: Brooks (2G, 0A), Faivre (3G, 2A), Billing (1G), Travers (GK cover).
• Some experience, but quality drop from starters to bench significant.
• Sub potential: limited goals, mainly midfield stabilizers.
- Forecast & Expected Dynamics
- Tottenham Advantage: Higher individual star quality (Richarlison, Solanke, Kudus) and stronger defensive anchors when Romero/Porro fit.
- Bournemouth Challenge: Depth weakened by departures, rely on front three to exploit Tottenham’s injury-hit defense.
- Likely Flow: Spurs push possession with Porro overlaps, Son cutting inside, Kudus creativity. Bournemouth look for quick transitions via Semenyo/Kluivert.
- Predicted Strength Balance
- Tottenham: ★★★★☆ - strong attacking spine, but injuries to Maddison, Kulusevski, Dragusin limit ceiling.
- Bournemouth: ★★☆☆☆ - dangerous front three but weaker in midfield depth and bench quality.
Projected Result: Tottenham 2 – 1 Bournemouth.
Spurs’ frontline quality edges it despite injuries, though Bournemouth’s counterattack could test them.
