Tottenham Hotspur will begin their daunting post-international break fixture-run when they host Chelsea today at the Wembley. Spurs are placed in the 3rd position, just 1 point off unbeaten Chelsea and will displace their fierce London rivals if they manage a positive result.
Later in the week, they will host Inter Milan in what is a must-win match for the Lilywhites before rounding off the frenetic week with a match against Arsenal at the Emirates next Sunday.
Their league standing depicts their solid run domestically till this point but Pochettino will realise there is a massive scope for improvement, especially at an individual level of certain players and will be working on the same in training.
The two teams have been terrific result-wise in the league. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 12 fixtures while Tottenham have won 6 of the last 7 matches in the league. One of the features of this clash is a lot of goals and the attacking players from both sides are expected to take centre-stage once more.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS
Spurs will not be at their full strength despite seeing a couple of key players return to the fray. Kieran Trippier and Davinson Sanchez will miss the fixture while fellow defender Jan Vertonghen has returned to full training but will be assessed just before the match.
Foyth, Paulo Gazzaniga and Erik Lamela arrived late from their international duties but at least one of them is expected to start. Mousa Dembele and Danny Rose are the other absentees.
PREDICTED TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR LINEUP VS CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Hugo Lloris will start in goal. He has had a difficult season till now but can leave all that behind with a solid display today evening.
Serge Aurier will start at right-back with Trippier absent. Jan Vertonghen is unlikely to be risked. Juan Foyth and Toby Alderweireld are expected to form the centre-back pairing. Ben Davies will be the left-back.
MIDFIELD
Eric Dier could start in place of Wanyama. Moussa Sissoko is expected to partner him. Harry Winks will be also be pushing hard for a start if Pochettino wishes to counter Chelsea’s 3-man midfield.
Dele Alli is expected to start in the No.10 role. He looked back to his best for England and Pochettino will be hoping for more of the same from the mercurial midfielder.
ATTACK
Christian Eriksen should start on the left. His creativity and control will be of paramount importance. The attacking midfielders swap positions throughout the match and we are likely to see the Dane operate in the central areas accordingly.
Harry Kane will lead the line. He scored a crucial goal for England and will be confident ahead of the game while Lucas Moura should start on the right-hand flank.
