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# Clearing the Lines: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Fulham – Nov. 29th
- URL: https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/clearing-the-lines-tottenham-hotspur/
- Published: 2025-11-28T16:20:59.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-12T00:06:06.000Z
- Author: Jason Figueiredo
- Tags: Tactics

![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--DgzLmpwZWc.jpg)

Premier League standings are often quite deceptive, especially when only a little over 30% of the season is complete. Teams hovering in the top ten could have the rug pulled from under them without little notice, while teams in early “relegation battles” often receive a needed wake-up call to figure things out soon or get even further left behind.

Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham currently sit at opposite ends of the table, one clinging on to the Top 10, their grasp slipping with every Frank lineup chance, and the other sitting three points clear of a relegation spot. Yet, the overall feeling when sizing up these two teams is that their talent levels and chances of EPL success are quite even.

After a lackluster performance in the North London Derby and an promising showing against PSG, the Spurs are desperately seeking some consistency to be pumped back into their squad. If they are unable to assert some glimpses of dominance in this tussle, things in Tottenham could be a lot worse than most fans realize.

Despite winning two of its last three, Fulham is 0-2-5 on the road across all competitions in the 25/26 campaign. Pair this up with the Spurs’ 1-2-3 home record this year in EPL games, and this game has the makings of being some hard-to-watch football.

Let’s glance at players and match-ups in each third of the field to keep an eye on.

**Attacking Third**

![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--zkwLmpwZWc.jpg)

Spurs’ home xG is nauseating to look at. Labeling this section “attacking” seems like a misnomer, as the Spurs’ xG has only surpassed 1.0 at home twice this season, once to kick off the campaign against a Burnley defense that continues to struggle and the other against a completely overmatched Denmark squad. Unfortunately, Spurs struggle to collect xG against the table cellar dwellers as well, failing to reach the one mark against both Leeds and Wolves earlier this year. We are all fully aware of Frank’s current struggle in drawing up an attacking plan with the players available for selection, but this is a better situation than any to turn this rapidly sinking ship around.

**Calvin Bassey**, **Joachim Andersen**, **Ryan Sessegnon**, and **Kenny Tete** will most likely hold down the backline for **Marco Silva**, as he has opted for a 4-2-3-1 more often than not and has rarely veered from this quartet in EPL play. Producing chances against this bulwark hasn’t been easy, even for offenses that display confidence in their skipper’s game plan. Fulham’s defense currently sits seventh in EPL xGA with 14.6, quickly usurping any hope that this outing will play out like Burnley or West Ham.

Fulham ranks 10th in the EPL in clearance with Andersen leading the way with 87, ranking 3rd in the EPL and more than doubling his next teammate in this category. Down the channels, Sessegnon and Tete will try to challenge the ball the most aggressively, collecting 11 and 10 EPL interceptions, respectively. Spurs will have to navigate around Tete in their left attacking channel, who currently ranks 8th in the EPL with 19 tackles won and 17th with the most tackles in the defensive 3rd (28). Bassey’s ability to get in front of the ball down the middle should also require precise passing from the Spurs playmakers, as the Nigerian currently ranks 32nd in the EPL with 15 blocks. Bassey and Andersen will also require attention once possession turns over as they dominate touches in Def 3rd and Def Pen, moving the ball forward on offense for Fulham.

Once pass their defensive line, Spurs will still need to contend with **Bernd Leno**, who sits 10th in the EPL in save % (72.0), 12th in GA/90 (1.33), and 6th in saves (35). While not the toughest goalkeeper they have faced to date, it will be a formidable task nonetheless. But, so is putting together anything that closely resembles an offense for the Spurs.

**Middle Third**

Fulham’s passing veins in the middle third of the pitch generally lead through Berge and Anderson, each collecting over 370 passes in that area. Pressuring these two when they have the ball will be essential, as they both also complete passes around an 84% clip.

When the Spurs do collect the ball in the middle third, they will need to keep an eye on Joshua King, who leads Fulham in tackles in that zone (10), Berge (9), Tete (8) and Sessegnon (7) also pinch into this area to attack the ball, creating a congested third that requires precise navigation with clean passes, something we have witnessed from Tottenham in glimpses, but have yet to see consistent passing when pressured.

Ideally, **Lucas Bergvall** and **Archie Gray** get back-to-back starts, this time with the teenage duo starting together in the middle of the pitch. Including **Pape M. Sar**r into the mix agaisnt PSG seemed to also work, but inserting **Xavi Simons** with this duo instead could provide the Spurs with the midfield foundation for the future.

**Defensive Third**

Something reeks underneath the surface of the Spurs defense, and the last two games are the little black spots of mold creating most of the concern. Nine goals over two games is stomach-churning. While Tottenham’s defense has shown flashed of exceptional talent this season, they are also susceptible to making horrendous mistakes in this third. In the past, attempted clearances by **Micky Van de Ven** and **Cristian Romero** have gone awry, creating unthinkable chances for their opponent, many of whom were able to make Spurs pay.

**Alex Iwobi** habitually sparks the attack for Fulham, touching the ball 213 in this third, mainly carrying it into the zone himself (29). He is also first in his team with most live passes that lead to a shot (28). Berge also will also help create, posting 23 in the same category.

Brazilian left winger Kevin, will also need to be contained by Pedro Porro. Kevin leads his team with 40 attmeptrs take-ons, more than doubling his next temmate. Kevin is forever progressing the ball throughout the field, leading his team with progressive carries per 90 and carries into the penalty box. Once in the box, **Harry Wilson** and Sessegnon also become active, with 31 and 29 touches there respectively.

Although the Spurs look to be facing a more subdued attack than their previous two outings, Fulham will still find a way to get into the box to make chances. Hopefully, Frank’s defenders can get back to their proper defending ways and keep the Cottagers to one or none!

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