Ben & Rob talk... 2023/24 fixtures

The hotly anticipated Premier League fixture release always throws up some key talking points as focus shifts towards the 2023/24 season. Who do we face first? When is the north London derby? What does our run-in look like?

With the fixtures announced on Thursday morning, our new Head Coach Ange Postecoglou now knows the lay of the land as he prepares for his first Premier League season, starting with a trip to Brentford on Sunday 13 August. Ahead of the upcoming campaign, Club commentator Rob Daly and N17 Live presenter Ben Haines share their thoughts on what stands out from the fixture release…

Beginning at Brentford

Rob: "Brentford away is a really tough start. Last season they beat Manchester City at home in their final game to complete a league double over the champions. They have an excellent record at the Gtech Community Stadium, only finished one point behind Spurs in the table and won here last term. It will be Ange Postecoglou’s first competitive match in charge so a lot will be different but it’s going to be a difficult game against a team who know exactly what they are doing."

Ben: "The key question is: how much time does Ange require in terms of instilling a vision and a style of play into these players? I believe we’ve got a tremendously talented and technically sound group that will be able to adapt to what Ange wants to do. Add to that a number of players coming back from loan spells and some really exciting young prospects. So, it’s just a question of timing, we have pre-season to work on things so Ange will have a good run-up at this. My gut says we’re in for a really exciting first month, especially the challenge of facing big sides so early on in the season."

MD1: Brentford vs Spurs - Sunday 13 August, 2023, 2pm kick-off

Watch - Last time out at Brentford

Mouth-watering first home game for Ange

Rob: "It’s a stellar fixture against Manchester United for Ange’s first home game in charge. It was a brilliant match between the two sides last season, the 2-2 draw where Spurs came back from 2-0 down so impressively under Ryan Mason. United are one of the teams that Spurs want to get closer to next season seeing as they ended up in the Champions League places in the end. What a first home game in charge for the new boss.

"The home crowd will give Ange a brilliant reception and it’ll create a really good atmosphere for what is undoubtedly a difficult first game for him in N17."

Ben: "We’ve played United quite early on in the season quite a few times and Lucas Moura’s brace in 2018 is one that initially springs to mind. But the one that jumps out at me most is the opening day of the 1997/98 season after Teddy Sheringham had moved to the Manchester club. I remember White Hart Lane erupting when Teddy missed a penalty, everyone was ecstatic but, unfortunately, we conceded twice in the final eight minutes to lose 2-0.

"Rob makes a great point about Ange’s reception, it’s going to be wonderful. The fans already feel an affinity for him - and that was just off the back of hearing him speak once in that video saying he can’t wait to get started! Over the course of the next six weeks, my inkling is that the respect and admiration for Ange is going to keep growing so when the season starts it’s going to be electric; I’m absolutely buzzing to get going!"

MD2: Spurs vs Manchester United - Saturday 19 August, 2023, 3pm kick-off

Watch - Ange's message to supporters

On facing Arsenal and Chelsea

Rob: "Immediately you scan through the fixture list to see where the Arsenal game is and there’s one in September away at the Emirates. We all know what a tricky record Spurs have had there in recent times - a Carabao Cup clash aside - and then we play them at home towards the back end of the season in April. I’m also looking at the Chelsea home game on 4 November - the return of Mauricio Pochettino for the first time since leaving the Club. I do wonder if someone like Rodrigo Bentancur, after his injury, might be getting close to being back in the fold by then."

Ben: "If you had a choice, I think you’d want the away north London derby first and then, if you have the home fixture at the backend of the season, that is a huge advantage when we could really need it. As for Chelsea, Rob is on the money about it being the first time we will face Pochettino. Regardless of what’s happened in the past under the Argentine, you can guarantee our fans will be desperate to win. My word, that is going to be such a good game."

MD6: Arsenal vs Spurs - Saturday September 23, 2023, kick-off 3pm

MD35: Spurs vs Arsenal - Saturday April 27, 2024, kick-off 3pm

MD11: Spurs vs Chelsea - Saturday November 4, 2023, kick-off 3pm

MD26: Chelsea vs Spurs - Saturday February 24, 2024, kick-off 3pm

Watch - Last time out against Chelsea

Our tricky final fixtures

Rob: "The other thing that stood out to me were our final six games. Although we finish against two newly promoted teams in Burnley at home and Sheffield United away, prior to that it’s shaping up to be a tough run from mid-April to the start of May with Newcastle away, Manchester City and Arsenal at home, last season’s top two, and then Liverpool away – who you expect to be stronger this season. They will be extremely tough but, with no European obligations, let’s see if that has a positive effect on the team’s league results."

Ben: "I love the fact that Spurs have that run-in. I think the fact that it looks like a very exciting but difficult climactic end to the season means that, if Spurs are in a good position, the atmosphere as we move towards that business end in April and May at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be absolutely electric.

"One last thing, with no European football this season we should be making the most of the one game a week and hopefully go deep in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, really taking advantage of having a little bit of extra time to get prepared for the weekend matches."

MD33: Newcastle United vs Spurs - Saturday April 13, 2024, kick-off 3pm
MD34: Spurs vs Manchester City - Saturday April 20, 2024, kick-off 3pm
MD35: Spurs vs Arsenal - Saturday April 27, 2024, kick-off  3pm

MD36: Liverpool vs Spurs - Saturday May 4, 2024, kick-off 3pm
MD37: Spurs vs Burnley - Saturday May 11, 2024, kick-off 3pm
MD38: Sheffield United vs Spurs - Sunday May 19, 2024, kick-off 4pm

Please remember, all fixtures remain subject to change.