Fulham-Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Antonio Conte believes Tottenham remain a long way away from challenging for the Premier League title despite enjoying a busy transfer window.

The north London club have strengthened their squad significantly since securing a top-four finish on the final day of last season, bringing in the likes of Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic and Clement Lenglet.

Spurs have made a bright start to the new campaign, picking up 11 points from their first five Premier League outings.

However, Conte thinks his side have much to do to push the country's elite.

"I think that we have to understand that in this transfer window, we did what the club could do," he said. "I think that we did good things, but I have to be honest with you because if I see the other squads of the top teams, there is too much distance. For this reason, we have to know that we have just started on this process to improve the squad.

"But to be competitive and to fight to be a title contender and to try to get a place in the Champions League, you need at least three transfer windows more to improve and to be in the same level as the other clubs. We have to be realistic to understand that there are clubs who can invest different money and other clubs that can invest normal money. For sure, the path is hard because of this aspect."

Fulham, on the other hand, had a busy deadline day, with Willian, Layvin Kurzawa, Daniel James and Carlos Vinicius all arriving.

"It was hard work for all of us," manager Marco Silva said. "The market is really tough, even for clubs with big budgets. We are really pleased and happy because we have added experience, quality, and players with different backgrounds."

Tottenham – Harry Kane

Kane, who has netted four times already this season, has scored 42 goals in Premier League London derbies – one more will see him equal Thierry Henry for the most such goals in the competition's history.

Fulham – Aleksandar Mitrovic

Mitrovic has been involved in more Premier League goals against Tottenham than he has any other opponent (five – three goals, two assists). He is looking to score in four consecutive Premier League games for the first time, while one more goal will make him the highest scoring Serbian in the competition's history (currently 29, level with Savo Milosevic).

- Tottenham are currently enjoying a five-game winning streak at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League, their longest such winning run at the ground. Spurs last won as many in a row at home in the league in May 2017 (14 in a row), while they are looking to win each of their first three home games from the start of a Premier League campaign for the first time since 2002-03 under Glenn Hoddle.

- Tottenham are looking to remain unbeaten in their first six Premier League games for just the third time, previously doing so in 2004-05 (finished ninth) and 2016-17 (finished second).

- Fulham have eight points from five Premier League games so far this season, only earning more in 2002-03 (10) and 2012-13 (nine). Their record tally after six games in the competition is 11 points, doing so in both 2002-03 and 2003-04.

- Son Heung-min has not scored with any of his 13 shots for Tottenham in the Premier League this season. He had a shot conversion rate of 26.7 per cent in the competition last season, the second highest of any player with at least 20 attempts.

- Fulham have won just one of their last 12 away league games against Spurs (D3 L8), a 1-0 victory in March 2013. The Cottagers have netted just five goals in these 12 games, and never more than once in a match.

Updated September 2, 2022