The disappointment in Madrid late last season will still be fresh in the minds of every Tottenham Hotspur fan. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will look to go one step further this season, as they start their Champions League campaign with a trip to Greece.
The runners up of the competition last season face Super League giants Olympiakos in their first group stage game of the 2019/20 edition of the Champions League this week.
They travel to Karaiskakis Stadium on Wednesday to take on Pedro Martins’ side that have made a perfect start to their league campaign. The Piraeus based club have won each of their first three league games without conceding a goal and will believe that they can start their campaign with a win in this game.
Spurs beat Crystal Palace comfortable at the weekend and will look to build on that result and start their campaign on a positive note. Here is the predicted lineup Pochettino might face in search of three crucial points in this tie:
Tottenham Hotspur Team News
In early team news, Spurs are still without Davinson Sanchez, Giovanni Lo Celso and Juan Foyth, all of who are nursing long term injuries.
Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele and Ryan Sessegnon are back in training and are a part of the squad for this trip to Greece but young Kyle-Walker Peters could struggle to make the matchday squad.
Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Defence:
Hugo Lloris had a rather comfortable night against Palace at the weekend. But he could be tested by Youssef El-Arabi, who is in goal scoring form recently. But he will have Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, who will look to negate his threat.
With Walker-Peters absent, Serge Aurier, who had a decent night against Palace, will keep his place on the right flank while Danny Rose, who was subbed off at the weekend, should start at left-back.
Midfield:
Tottenham’s midfield have their work cut out against Mathieu Valbuena, who has probably been Olympiakos’ best player so far this season.
Pochettino could stick with Harry Winks in the midfield but might replace Moussa Sissoko with Didier Ndombele, who missed that game against Palace.
Attack:
Dele Alli wan an unused substitute against the Eagles and might only make the bench. Christian Eriksen has found some form recently and deserves to keep his place alongside Erik Lamela, who has been a regular in the first team for Pochettino this season.
The duo will have the freedom to take dangerous positions in and around the box and could be the real threat for the hosts.
Heung Min-Son burst into form with a brace at the weekend and will add some pace to Spurs’ attack. He will play on the shoulder of Pape Abou Cissé, while Harry Kane will look to add to his goals, playing as the striker.
Here is how they might line up:
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