Ideal Tottenham XI v Bournemouth: Fit midfielders mean Pochettino only one short of strongest side

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Tottenham Hotspur welcome Bournemouth to White Hart Lane on Sunday having seen the gauntlet thrown down by Leicester City in the Premier League title race.

Spurs are eight points behind the table-topping Foxes, who won 1-0 away at Crystal Palace on Saturday, and cannot afford to drop points in their home games.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were dumped out of the Europa League by Borussia Dortmund in midweek. Will that have an impact on the manager’s team selection?

Here, CaughtOffside suggests what XI Pochettino should go with for the visit of the in-form Cherries, who have won their last three Premier League matches.

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GK: Hugo Lloris

Conceded to Matt Richie in the first minute of the reverse fixture, before Spurs came back to win 5-1.

RB: Kyle Walker

Given his usual midweek break in the Europa League, but should return to replace Kieran Trippier.

CB: Toby Alderweireld

Has played ever single minute of Tottenham’s Premier League campaign and barely put a foot wrong.

CB: Kevin Wimmer

Jan Vertonghen is the only member of what is arguably Pochettino’s strongest lineup to not be available. Wimmer, whose confidence may have been shaken by the Dortmund debacle, will continue to deputise.

LB: Danny Rose

Played 77 minutes on Thursday after Ben Davies suffered a head injury. Tottenham’s official Twitter account confirms that the Welshman is not fit for Bournemouth, so Rose will play again.

CM: Eric Dier

The England international played 90 minutes in midweek when he really could have done with a rest. Pochettino will hope that does not weigh him down against an energetic Bournemouth side.

CM: Mousa Dembele

Tottenham’s Twitter account adds that Dembele is available again after sitting out the visit of Dortmund as a precaution. The Belgian makes such a big difference in the heart of Pochettino’s midfield.

AMR: Erik Lamela

Made his 100th appearance for Tottenham in Thursday’s 2-1 defeat. He has 15 goals and 20 assists in that century. Not outstanding figures, but he is better than Son Heung-Min and Nacer Chadli.

AMC: Dele Alli

Protected slightly by Pochettino when he was withdrawn for the final 25 minutes against Dortmund. His form will be vital to Tottenham’s chances of overturning the eight-point deficit to Leicester.

AML: Christian Eriksen

The Danish playmaker is back in contention for this weekend after missing the Dortmund game, according to Tottenham’s Twitter account. The absence of his creativity was very noticeable.

ST: Harry Kane

Resting the striker completely against Dortmund proved that Pochettino’s priority is the Premier League. Should Kane add to his October hat-trick v Bournemouth, he will become top scorer in the division.

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More Stories Christian Eriksen Danny Rose Dele Alli Eric Dier Erik Lamela Harry Kane Hugo Lloris Kevin Wimmer Kyle Walker Mousa Dembele Toby Alderweireld