Tottenham Hotspur take on fierce rivals Arsenal in a highly anticipated pre-season friendly in Hong Kong today, marking the first North London Derby to be played outside the United Kingdom. The match is part of Spurs’ ongoing tour of Asia, which also includes a game against Newcastle United in Seoul on August 3.
Maddison and Solanke in Contention to Return
Midfielder James Maddison could feature for the first time since suffering a knee injury at the end of last season. The England international has resumed full training and is likely to make a brief appearance off the bench rather than start. Forward Dominic Solanke is also in line for a potential return.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is expected to rotate the squad as he looks to build fitness and cohesion ahead of the new Premier League season. Spurs played two friendlies last Saturday, drawing 2-2 with Wycombe Wanderers and 0-0 with Luton Town at their training base.
Thomas Frank Prepares for First Derby Experience
This will be Thomas Frank’s first taste of a North London Derby since taking charge at Tottenham. The Danish coach has overseen three friendlies so far and is keen to see a sharper display from his side against a stronger opponent in Arsenal.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 12:30pm local time at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium, offering local fans a rare chance to witness the fierce rivalry up close. Spurs are also preparing for the UEFA Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain later this month.
Historic Venue and High Stakes for Spurs
The match in Hong Kong is a milestone occasion, being the first North London Derby staged outside England since the rivalry began in the 1920/21 Football League season. With the Premier League opener fast approaching, both sides will treat the match as a key tune-up.
Following this clash, Tottenham will continue their Asian tour with a friendly against Newcastle in South Korea, aiming to sharpen their form ahead of competitive fixtures.
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