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It is almost time for Tottenham to return to Premier League action. Unable to put the recent defeat at Wolves behind them with domestic football pausing for the final international break of 2023, Ange Postecoglou's Spurs team have a date with Aston Villa on the calendar for 2pm on Sunday.
The game in north London is the first of a challenging set of fixtures coming up for the Lilywhites, with showdowns against Man City and Newcastle United to come at the beginning of December. Whereas some fans may look at the upcoming matches with a sense of fear after two successive Premier League defeats, it does give Postecoglou and Spurs the opportunity to make a real statement against their European rivals and put themselves in a good position ahead of the festive period.
The Premier League table does make for very interesting reading at present with three points currently separating Man City in first and Aston Villa in fifth. So who exactly are the current top five playing in their next five Premier League fixtures? football.london takes a look at Tottenham, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa's schedules below.
Tottenham fixtures
26/11 - Aston Villa (H) - 2pm
Tottenham's return to Premier League action will not be easy at all with Unai Emery's impressive Aston Villa team making the trip to the capital. The Midlands club have built on their strong finish to last campaign and currently find themselves one place and one point behind fourth-place Spurs after 12 league games.
Villa's form on the road this season has been mixed to say the least but they certainly have the players at their disposal to potentially inflict a third successive defeat on Tottenham.
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03/12 - Man City (A) - 4.30pm
Following the home showdown against Villa, Tottenham face a daunting game at the Etihad Stadium against Premier League champions Man City. Pep Guardiola's team currently lead the way after 12 games and they will take some stopping as they look to make it four title successes in a row.
Tottenham have given City a real game on their last two trips to the Etihad Stadium after winning 3-2 in 2022 before falling to a 4-2 defeat at the beginning of this year after leading 2-0 at the break. Tottenham's approach against the Champions League holders will certainly differ this time around with Postecoglou at the helm.
07/12 - West Ham (H) - 8.15pm
A London derby against West Ham then awaits Tottenham after their visit to the Etihad Stadium. The Hammers have had a mixed start to the season in the Premier League and currently sit ninth after five wins, two draws and five defeats.
Tottenham have won their last three home fixtures against the Hammers and they will be looking to keep it that way.
10/12 - Newcastle United (H) - 4.30pm
Tottenham will be back in action in N17 three days later with a tough game against Newcastle United on the agenda. The Magpies have started this season brightly once again and currently trail Spurs by six points.
As Eddie Howe's men were victorious at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, Spurs will be looking for revenge and hopefully create more of a gap between the sides.
15/12 - Nottingham Forest (A) - 8pm
Tottenham will be involved in some Friday night football ahead of Christmas with a trip to the City Ground on the agenda. It promises to be some occasion under the lights with Nottingham Forest boasting one of the best atmospheres in the Premier League.
A repeat of last season's win in the East Midlands would do just fine for the Lilywhites.
Man City fixtures
25/11 - Liverpool (H) - 12.30pm
03/12 - Tottenham (H) - 4.30pm
06/12 - Aston Villa (A) - 8.15pm
10/12 - Luton Town (A) - 2pm
16/12 - Crystal Palace (H) - 3pm
Liverpool fixtures
25/11 - Man City (A) - 12.30pm
03/12 - Fulham (H) - 2pm
06/12 - Sheffield United (A) - 7.30pm
09/12 - Crystal Palace (A) - 12.30pm
17/12 - Manchester United (H) - 4.30pm
Arsenal fixtures
25/11 - Brentford (A) - 5.30pm
02/12 - Wolves (H) - 3pm
05/12 - Luton Town (A) - 8.15pm
09/12 - Aston Villa (A) - 5.30pm
17/12 - Brighton & Hove Albion (H) - 2pm
Aston Villa fixtures
26/12 - Tottenham (A) - 2pm
03/12 - Bournemouth (A) - 2pm
06/12 - Man City (H) - 8.15pm
09/12 - Arsenal (H) - 5.30pm
17/12 - Brentford (A) - 2pm
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