Tottenham next four fixtures compared to Liverpool,…

Tottenham next four fixtures compared to Liverpool, Man Utd and Newcastle with top four challenge

Tottenham's first half woes came back to bite them once more as they fell to defeat in the North London Derby, highlighting the current chasm between the sides. Arsenal are already 14 points clear of their fierce rivals and still have a game in hand at the top of the table.

Mikel Arteta's free-flowing Gunners were slick in contrast to Antonio Conte's rigid Tottenham and being two down at the break was of little surprise to those that have seen Spurs play in recent months. Not only have they fallen out of the top four all together there is a gap opening up above them.

Both Manchester United and Newcastle won over the weekend and are both looking up towards an outside title challenge more than they are looking down. Spurs are still clinging on but the gap is five points. They also face a tough run of fixtures which could define their season.

Here, football.london takes a look at what's coming up Conte's men and how it compares to their top four rivals.

Next four Tottenham fixtures:

Man City (A) - January 19

Things don't get any easier for Conte's men with the champions up next. A trip to the Etihad is never a game to look forward too, especially with the wounded animal that Pep Guardiola's side may be after suffering another setback in their title defence.

Tottenham did the double over City last year and have won four of their last six in this fixture but face a tough task to get back on the winning run at the Etihad Stadium.

Fulham (A) - January 23

It's a London derby to come following that in what is set to be a cauldron at Craven Cottage. The league newcomers have performed admirably this season and sit just one place behind Spurs currently.

Marco Silva's men are two points behind Tottenham having played a game more but are still above both Chelsea and Liverpool at this stage of the season, a testement to their impressive season so far.

Preston (A), FA Cup - January 28

A third away game in a row up next with a trip to Lancashire in the cup. Spurs face Championship opposition in the fourth round after beating League One outfit Portsmouth in third round last weekend.

The FA Cup is realistically the last true chance for silverware this season for Spurs and is also Conte's last trophy in English football, winning the competition in 2018 with Chelsea.

Man City (H) - February 5

To end a tough run Spurs welcome City back to London in the reverse of their next game. With City still looking to go on 'one of their runs' to put pressure on the top of the table it will be a challenge for Tottenham.

These are the types of matches that Conte has tended to fare well in throughout his career though.

Liverpool next four fixtures:

Wolves (A), FA Cup - January 17

Chelsea (H) - January 21

Wolves (A) - February 4

Everton (H) - February 13

Manchester United next four fixtures:

Crystal Palace (A) - January 18

Arsenal (A) - January 22

Nottingham Forest (A), Carabao Cup - January 25

Reading (H), FA Cup - January 28

Newcastle next four fixtures: