Tottenham Hotspur have had a very mixed but overall slightly disappointing start to the 2022/23 season under Antonio Conte. While it may not have been a smooth ride, Tottenham did reach the break for the World Cup in the top four, which is likely what Conte was aiming for from day one.
Their lead over Manchester United in fifth is just three points though, and the Red Devils have got a game in hand over Spurs. That is why it is vital for Tottenham to start fast when play resumes after Christmas. A poor patch of form could see them slip rapidly down the table and then the pressure gets very different.
Here is a look at who Spurs have got after Christmas so you can see where they might pick up some points.
This is a very tough looking away trip for the Spurs players to come back to and they have to be wary of a slow start. Brentford are not the sort of team to let them get away with a lacklustre performance and the atmosphere is likely to be very intense.
Things may not get a great deal easier in 2023 as Spurs will come up against an Aston Villa side that found some decent form before the World Cup break. They are underperforming with the players in that squad, and it will require a professional performance from Spurs.
Keeping the theme of games that Tottenham should win but are no means easy, Selhurst Park is never a very comfortable place to go. This one is a 20:00 GMT kick-off and depending on how the first two games back go, it could be a tough one if Conte’s side can’t get an early goal.
This is the game that will be in the minds of the Tottenham players from the moment play resumes. This is the best chance to keep any hopes of finishing above Arsenal alive and Conte will know that the expectation is on Spurs as the home team to attack. It will be a really tough game, but Arsenal have some difficult matches of their own in the run-up to it as well.
