Tottenham Hotspur vs. Espanyol: Complete Preview, Team News and Predictions

The Tottenham Hotspur first team completes their preseason fixture list on Saturday when they host Espanyol at White Hart Lane.

Last season's Premier League preparations went without the traditional, concluding home curtain-raiser as London was a little preoccupied with the Olympic Games.

Though not a necessity, the fixture has been a useful tool in Tottenham's buildup for several years now. As it will be this time.

Results-wise, Tottenham's preseason has been underwhelming. With one win, two draws and two losses in five friendlies, their sole victory was a 6-0 thrashing of South China in the Barclays Asia Trophy (the youthful Spurs XI team has recorded a couple of wins).

These fixtures will soon be a distant memory once the season properly begins. Still, as striker Jermain Defoe told TottenhamHotspur.com, getting "the winning mentality" is still desired.

Espanyol might provide a tricky obstacle to that objective.

The La Liga outfit do not possess talent as expensive as Spurs' conquerors Monaco did last weekend.

Javier Aguirre's team are a tough bunch though. Upon his appointment last November, the Mexican led Espanyol away from the relegation zone to a relatively comfortable mid-table finish.

They will be keen to begin to reestablish the momentum that saw them to safety. Like the Spurs, the Catalan side have just over a week until their own season kicks off with a visit to Celta Vigo.

As well as a win, Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas will be hoping to see his team looking in good shape ahead of their season opener at Crystal Palace.

There is a degree of unknown surrounding Tottenham's prospective look for 2013-14.

It is not because of three new signings that have been made—striker Roberto Soldado, attacker Nacer Chadli and midfielder Paulinho.

Other than Chadli's role in support of a lone striker against Monaco last week, we have yet to see how these new additions might fit in alongside Spurs' existing players.

Soldado and Paulinho are both expected to make their public bow on Saturday.

Also possibly appearing for the first time this summer could be the trio of Lewis Holtby, Younes Kaboul and Sandro—at the time of writing, there had been no indication of their availability.

Jan Vertonghen is still a little way off fitness, though Defoe and Michael Dawson should feature following knocks. Emmanuel Adebayor could be back in contention after missing the Monaco defeat because of personal reasons.

Tom Carroll and Harry Kane may miss out due to their involvement in Friday night's U21 Premier League opener versus Chelsea.

David Hytner of The Guardian was among those earlier this week reporting Gareth Bale's likely absence. A minor gluteal muscle problem continues to be cited as the reason, though ongoing talk of a move to Real Madrid may also have something to do with it.

Whether or not the White Hart Lane faithful will make a collective acknowledgement of Bale remains to be seen.

As intriguing as that response might be, Spurs will be kicking off their season with or without the Welshman. With the campaign so close now, for many of us the prospect of more football and less talking is more exciting anyhow.

Spurs have had varying results against Spanish opposition in the preseason in recent years.

While Valencia (2012) and Villarreal (2010) have beaten them, at home and with the Premier League just a week away, Spurs have gotten the better of Real Sociedad (2006) and Athletic Bilbao (2011).

Expect a motivated and sharp Tottenham team to beat Espanyol and follow suit with the latter.