Tottenham know exactly how to secure Champions League…

Tottenham know exactly how to secure Champions League spot ahead of Newcastle and Liverpool

Antonio Conte and Tottenham find themselves in a very familiar position as we approach the business end of the 2022/23 Premier League season. As was the case 12 months ago, Spurs' sole focus in what remains of the campaign is securing a Champions League berth via the league following their European and FA Cup exits.

Adequate time on the training ground with Conte rather than a cramped schedule worked to perfection for the Tottenham team one year ago and it resulted in them pipping Arsenal to fourth. Another Champions League finish is very much achievable this term, with Spurs having the opportunity to head into the first international break of 2023 in third as Manchester United are in FA Cup action this weekend.

One thing that Tottenham did do in the run-in 12 months ago was considerably improve their goal difference. Following their thrilling 3-2 win away at Man City in February 2022, Spurs' goal difference stood at four, six behind rivals Arsenal who were in the final Champions League spot.

Fast forward to the final game of the season when both teams were vying for fourth and the Lilywhites had a two-point advantage, Spurs' goal difference was an incredible 24 while Arsenal's was nine. It meant that Conte's team could afford to draw at already relegated Norwich City and it would be enough for fourth unless there was a major turn of events with Arsenal hosting Everton.

While of course goal difference was not needed to settle fourth place in the end following Tottenham's 5-0 win at Carrow Road, their results in the run-in ensured they had a big advantage over their north London rivals if they could not be separated on points. Key to the mammoth swing between February and the end of May was Spurs finally hitting their stride under Conte.

Certainly helped by the January additions of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski that took the team to another level, things just clicked for the Lilywhites and the goals duly followed. Hitting Everton and Newcastle United for five at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs also scored four on the road as they punished Leeds United and Aston Villa.

The top-four race could once again go down to the wire, with goal difference going to be needed if FiveThirtyEight's predicted final table is anything to go by. As things stand in the race for fourth, Tottenham are four points above Newcastle having played two games more but the Magpies have a superior goal difference at +19 compared to Spurs' +12.

Liverpool are also ahead on goal difference at +18, while Brighton & Hove Albion, who moved to within six points of Tottenham on Wednesday evening, are three better off than Spurs. Goals ultimately win games and they could well be the deciding factor in who comes out on top in the Champions League battle if it continues to stay as close as it is between the aforementioned clubs.

Not only is it important that Tottenham get three points on the board week in, week out, they also need to add goals to their game in the remaining weeks of the campaign. Last Saturday's 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest was only the second time since Premier League football resumed in December that Tottenham had scored more than two goals in a league match.

Opportunities should be there for Conte's men to improve on their goal tally for the season over the next few weeks with a few relegation-threatened teams on the calendar. Travelling to Southampton on Saturday afternoon, Spurs then face Everton and Bournemouth at the start of April.

In a very similar scenario to the one they were in 12 months ago, all will be hoping that history repeats itself and another Champions League finish is delivered. Supporters would love nothing more than to see a number of goals along the way if that is to be the case.

READ NEXT:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here