Back to back wins in the Premier League have eased a bit of pressure off Tottenham Hotspur after three successive defeats in all competitions. The North Londoners will shift their focus to the Champions League this Wednesday when they take on Barcelona.
Spurs should have won the game against Inter Milan but capitulated late on to return empty-handed from the San Siro. A clash against Barcelona usually doesn’t guarantee anything, but this is a good time to take on the Blaugrana as their form has been pretty patchy as well.
Barca have gone three games without a win in the league but Tottenham will still need to be at their best to test the Catalans.
Because of the quality Barcelona have, they can play badly for 85 minutes and still win the game, so Spurs can’t afford to be as callous as they were against Inter or even Brighton in the end.
Tottenham Team News
Mauricio Pochettino has a few injury worries to deal with and they have perhaps come up at the worst possible time. Dele Alli has been ruled out of the clash and the likes of Michel Vorm, Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele and Serge Aurier are all doubtful for the game which gives the manager a major selection headache.
The only positive is Hugo Lloris is back and should be available for the clash against the La Liga champions. Eriksen missed the game against Huddersfield and should return to the team as well.
Predicted Tottenham Lineup
Defence
As mentioned before, Lloris should take his place in goal. A back four of Danny Rose, Davinson Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier is expected as Pochettino does not really have too many options up his sleeve.
The duo of Trippier and Alderweireld were left behind against Inter but are expected to play a key role against Barcelona.
Midfield
It seems like Victor Wanyama could get a start as Dembele is injured. Against that Barcelona attack, Pochettino will perhaps need two holding midfielders in the double pivot in front of the defence, so Eric Dier could line up alongside Wanyama.
Eriksen is fit to play and should start in the number 10 role. Barcelona will be without Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique’s poor form means Eriksen will get opportunities to pick a pass and cut open that out of shape backline.
Attack
Harry Kane has put to bed the notion that a little bit of tiredness was creeping into his game. He is expected to start up top. Heung-Min Son and Eric Lamela should complete the attack.
