Tottenham Hotspur have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League, but they need to avoid to defeat away to Besiktas on Thursday in order to top Group C. Here is the team we expect Mauricio Pochettino to select in Istanbul…
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GK: Hugo Lloris
Pochettino could choose to give Michel Vorm a rare start, but Lloris has travelled, so that suggests he will feature.
RB: Kyle Walker
The England international has not played a first team game since March because of a abdominal injury. However, he got through 67 minutes for Under-21s earlier this month, before completing the full 90 in a training match against Dagenham & Redbridge at the weekend. He is not fully fit, but he will be ready to return.
LB: Danny Rose
Ben Davies has started Tottenham’s last five games, but Rose is fit again, so he should displace the Welshman.
CB: Younes Kaboul
Captain Kaboul will come in for Jan Vertonghen, who has been left in London to rest.
CB: Vlad Chiriches
Federico Fazio, who was suspended for the 1-0 win over Partizan Belgrade, is available again, but he could be on the bench in order to stay fresh for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Swansea City. Chiriches seems to be the most likely partner for Kaboul.
CM: Mousa Dembele
Main men Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb have been left in London, so Dembele should be the most senior member in Tottenham’s midfield.
CM: Harry Winks
Eighteen-year-old Winks made his debut as an 87th-minute sub against Partizan last time out. He has travelled to Istanbul, so a second appearance looks imminent. Fellow teen Josh Onomah, 17, could feature off the bench.
AM: Aaron Lennon
Andros Townsend is struggling with an ankle knock, so Lennon should get the nod to add some speed to the Spurs attack.
AM: Paulinho
The Brazilian has featured in Tottenham’s last four Premier League games as a substitute, but the Europa League is his stage. He will start.
AM: Erik Lamela
Christian Eriksen did not travel, so Lamela will be left with the responsibility of being Tottenham’s main source of creativity.
ST: Roberto Soldado
Harry Kane will be rested, while Emmanuel Adebayor has gone back to Togo for ‘personal reasons’, leaving Soldado as the only striker for Pochettino to select.
