After a bright start to life under Jose Mourinho, Tottenham Hotspur will now want to push for a place in the top-4 but dropping points at Carrow Road at the weekend did not help their cause. The 2-2 draw against Norwich City sees Spurs five points off a place in the top-4 but they have a chance this week, to try and reduce the deficit when they travel to St Mary’s on Wednesday.
The Saints will look to step into the new year with an impressive performance in this game, having taken points off Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Aston Villa in their last three games. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are still only four points off the drop zone and cannot afford any complacency when Spurs come calling.
Mourinho will want his side to bounce back after that draw against the Canaries but he needs his side to be at their best to take anything from this game.
Team News
In team news, Spurs are still without the services of Danny Rose, Hugo Lloris and Ben Davies, all of who are injured and Heung Min-Son, who remains suspended.
Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko, however, are back from suspension and could be pushed into the starting XI.
PREDICTED TOTTENHAM LINEUP vs SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Lloris’ absence should see Paulo Gazzaniga continue to deputize under the bar for Spurs.
Mourinho used a three-man backline against Norwich City but could revert to a back-4 for this game.
Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez will start in the centre-back roles and will be up against an in-form Danny Ings, who will look to trouble them.
Serge Aurier has been a regular in the first team and will keep his place at right-back while Jan Vertonghen will have to put in another shift at left-back in the Tottenham lineup.
Midfield
Tanguy Ndombele did well in bits at Carrow Road and while he deserves to start on merit, there might be question marks regarding his fitness and ability to play twice in a short span of time.
Moussa Sissoko might well partner him in the double pivot if Jose looks to start the year with an attack-minded teamsheet.
The duo will be up against a hard-working Southampton midfield and controlling the game in this area of the field will be crucial for Spurs’ chances in this game.
Attack
Dele Alli was ineffective as a strike-pair with Harry Kane against Norwich City. Mourinho should bring him back into the no.10 role, giving him the freedom to roam in the final third.
Lucas Moura only came off the bench in that game and should start this game on the right flank, especially if Sissoko is selected in midfield.
Christian Eriksen, who scored the first equaliser at the weekend has done enough to keep his place in the side. He will start on the left flank in the Tottenham lineup but may swap places with Alli in the middle.
Harry Kane’s display, against the likes of Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek, could be the factor that decides the outcome of this game.
TOTTENHAM LINEUP
