Tottenham ensured their fans will drift through another trophy-less season by exiting the Champions League in limp fashion on Wednesday night.
Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United only last week, Spurs put in another display with little attacking edge in the second leg against AC Milan. The game ended goalless, meaning Brahim Diaz’s strike in the seventh minute of the first leg sent the Italian giants through.
Manager Antonio Conte looks set to depart at some point between now and next season, leaving Spurs stuck in a depressed malaise even with Champions League football still to battle for.
Here’s who Spurs take on in their next six games.
Spurs have a great chance to get back on track in the league as they welcome Steve Cooper’s Forest to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While Cooper’s side have improved drastically over the course of the campaign, they still boast the worst away record in the division. They’ve accumulated just six points on their travels and have conceded 29 goals in 12 away games.
The youthful Saints are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table and St. Mary’s hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Spurs in recent years. They’ve won on just one of their last six visits to Southampton.
This reeks of a 1-0 Southampton win with James Ward-Prowse scoring the winner with a typically delightful set piece.
Tottenham fans will have to wait a little while longer to see their side in action after the international break as they visit Everton on Monday Night Football.
Sean Dyche has reinvigorated the Toffees, but they are far from being out of the relegation dogfight. Given Spurs’ frailty, this is a fixture Dyche will certainly fancy.
Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard was the match-winner the last time Brighton visited Tottenham. The Seagulls have always played Spurs close, and Roberto De Zerbi’s side have the potential to cause another upset in north London.
While Spurs are hoping to end the season strong and finish in the top four, Brighton have European aspirations of their own.
The Cherries were left crestfallen on their last visit to north London as Arsenal completed a stunning comeback to beat Gary O’Neil’s side 3-2 thanks to Reiss Nelson’s last-gasp effort.
Bournemouth look destined for the drop, but their performance at the Emirates may give supporters hope for a late-season resurgence. Still, this is a contest Tottenham will fancy taking three points from.
Newcastle’s form has taken a bit of a nosedive in recent weeks, but this bout could yet have significant implications in the top four race.
The Magpies are currently sixth and five points adrift of Spurs in fourth, but they have played two games less than the north Londoners. Eddie Howe’s side have lost just once at St. James’ Park this season, but they’ve also drawn five games on home soil. They must start converting one-point into three if they’re to have any chance of pipping Liverpool and Spurs to fourth spot.