Paul Merson believes it’s “massively important” that Tottenham avoid home matches against their top-six rivals in the early stages of next season.
The Sky Sports pundit has stressed the importance of getting a kind start when the Premier League fixtures for the 2017/18 season are announced on 14 June.
Spurs will be making the temporary switch to Wembley Stadium next season as their new ground is developed.
The north London club used the national stadium this season in European competitions and picked up just one victory from their four fixtures.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side also suffered a 4-2 loss against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final and there is a concern they will be unable to assert their high pressure style on a bigger Wembley pitch.
Spurs went unbeaten in the league during their last ever season at White Hart Lane and that played a major role in their second-placed finish.
Merson feels that their hopes next year hinge massively on their opening fixtures and claims they must avoid the big sides at home in the early weeks.
“I think the fixture list is very, very important for Spurs come June,” Merson told Sky Sports. “I really think they need to be playing the lesser teams first up at Wembley, so they can get their confidence up.
“You don’t want three of Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea, Man City coming to Wembley in the first five home games. It’s massively important.”
Spurs are expected to be one of the sides in the race for the title next year after back-to-back Champions League qualifications, but will have to adapt quickly to Wembley.
Champions Chelsea are expected to be strong again next year under Antonio Conte, while Liverpool will also be looking to build under Jurgen Klopp.
Manchester giants City and United are also expected to be in the running, with the pair set to be back heavily in the summer transfer market.
Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal will also be striving to be back among the top-end of the table and it’s still unclear whether Arsene Wenger will be at the helm next season.