After losing 2-1 to Anderlecht in Belgium a fortnight ago, Tottenham Hotspur really need to beat their fellow 1984 UEFA Cup finalists tonight to get their Europa League campaign back on track.
This evening’s fixture is sandwiched in between Premier League games against Aston Villa and Arsenal, as Spurs look to cope with three big games in seven days.
Due to the hectic schedule, changes are inevitable. However, with three points almost a necessity, head coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to name a strong starting XI. Here’s how we reckon it will look…
GK: Hugo Lloris
Tottenham’s no.1 has played every minute of their Europa League campaign so far this season. Understudy Michel Vorm better bring a blanket, because he’s set for another night on the bench.
RB: Kieran Trippier
He’s only had 10 minutes of Premier League action this season, with Kyle Walker firmly establishing himself as Tottenham’s first-choice right-back.
However, Trippier has started all three Europa League games so far.
The former Burnley defender began shakily, conceding a penalty against Qarabag, but he looked steady during his last two outings.
LB: Ben Davies
Danny Rose shone in Monday night’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa, but he burned an incredible amount of energy in the process and looked very tired when he was subbed off in the closing stages.
Davies is a capable replacement, so he will almost certainly come in, leaving Rose to rest up for Sunday’s North London Derby.
CBs: Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen
Alderweireld has started all three European games this term, partnering Vertonghen in two of them.
Kevin Wimmer played against Qarabag, but Pochettino didn’t trust him, let alone Federico Fazio, against Monaco or Anderlecht away.
Fazio isn’t at all ready to feature in this game, while Wimmer wasn’t even on the bench on Monday, so it looks like Pochettino will stick with his best Belgians at the back.
CMs: Eric Dier and Ryan Mason
Ryan Mason has come off the bench in the last two games. This match seems like the perfect opportunity to give him his first start since his return from the knee injury he sustained at Sunderland in September.
Holding midfielder Dier is one of Tottenham’s most important players. He has started every game in all competitions this season, except for the 0-0 draw with Liverpool, which he missed through suspension. The youngster has the stamina to deal with this week’s tough runs of fixtures.
AM: Clinton N’Jie
Started as a striker in the away game, looking dangerous but very raw. A wider role would give him more opportunities to get at defenders with his scary pace.
If N’Jie starts on the right flank, the versatile Cameroonian could still end the game up front, depending on how long Pochettino decides to give Heung-Min Son on his return from injury.
AM: Josh Onomah
Was preferred to England star Andros Townsend as a second-half substitute against Villa. Townsend clashed with Tottenham’s fitness coach after that game and has not been included in tonight’s squad as a result, according to BBC Sport.
Onamah has yet to start a senior game for Spurs, but, judging by his cameos to date, he looks ready.
AM: Christian Eriksen
Although Pochettino may be keen to rest Harry Kane, he cannot afford to leave all of his best players on the sidelines. A good 45-60 minutes from Eriksen could be enough to win the game for Spurs.
ST: Heung-Min Son
The South Korean is fit again after missing the last six games with a foot injury. He could lead the line – just as he did in Tottenham’s last home European engagement, when he scored two goals.
A 90-minute shift could be asking too much, so Son may be replaced by Kane – if Spurs need a goal – or N’Jie – if the game is safe – in the second half.
