Tottenham Hotspur needed penalties to overcome a strong Watford side in the Carabao Cup as they prevailed 4-2 on spot-kicks after the game ended 2-2. The focus will return to the Premier League as Tottenham will look to regain the lost momentum.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win against Brighton following two successive defeats, but it was a far from comfortable ending as the game nearly showed how quickly things can change.
Spurs next face Huddersfield away from home and though the Terriers have struggled this season, the North Londoners can ill-afford to let their guard drop.
Tottenham Team News
The side were boosted by Hugo Lloris returning to training following his thigh injury. Obviously, Pochettino decided to play it safe and went with Gazzaniga in goal against Watford, but we could see Lloris returning in goal against Huddersfield. Michel Vorm and Serge Aurier will be unavailable but the big blow will be Christian Eriksen’s absence who will miss the clash owing to an abdomen injury.
Predicted Tottenham lineup
Defence
The back four had a tough time dealing with the pace of Success this past midweek and Huddersfield could provide the same threat. The duo of Jan Vertonghen and Kieran Trippier were rested for the Cup game and are expected to return.
Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are set to start at the two centre-halves. Danny Rose is likely to replace Ben Davies in the left-back role while Trippier will feature on the right.
Midfield
Mousa Dembele made a substitute appearance against Watford and is expected to return to the starting lineup alongside Eric Dier. The latter has 1.8 tackles and 1.7 interceptions; stats that might not really inspire confidence among the Spurs fans. He will need to ensure that the side doesn’t fall prey to the Huddersfield counter-attacks come Saturday.
Dele Alli was on song against Watford and should keep his place in the number 10 position. Despite playing in an advanced position, his work rate has been immense as he has recorded 2.2 tackles a game.
Attack
Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura will be the two wide players come Saturday. Son is slowly finding his feet after re-joining the squad a few weeks ago. Lucas will offer the pace and trickery on the wide areas and in Eriksen’s absence, his crosses will need to be spot on to create openings.
Harry Kane got a well-earned rest and should return to the starting XI. He has had 2.8 shots per game yet has only 3 goals so far, so his finishing does need to improve.
Kane
Son – Alli – Lucas
Dier – Dembele
Rose – Alderweireld – Vertonghen – Trippier
Lloris
Stats via Whoscored
