After yet another easy victory in the Champions League group stage, Tottenham Hotspur are back in action this weekend in an early kick-off against this season’s early surprise in Huddersfield Town. The newly promoted club, backed up by David Wagner’s gusto and tactics have been grabbing the headlines off-late and have lost just one of their first six games in the top flight this season.
However, Mauricio Pochettino’s men have managed to put behind their early hiccups and have found some form in the last few games. They will look to keep up their good start and make light work of the Terriers, which might prove to be a tougher task at the Kirklees. Here is how Pochettino is expected to field his XI:
Team News:
Midfielders Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama are both ruled out of this tie due to injuries. Danny Rose and Eric Lamela remain on the long-term injury list and are the only other issues the Argentine has ahead of this tie apart from the unavailability of Serge Aurier owing to his red card.
Expected lineup (3-4-3):
Defence:
Pochettino is expected to stick with a 3-man defensive line which should shield Hugo Lloris in goal. The French ace has been solid at the back and will hope to have an easy game. Newbie Davinson Sanchez has settled in extremely well and playing at the heart of the defence, is supported strongly by Belgian duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen on either side.
This back line could turn into one of the toughest to beat as the season progresses.
Midfield:
With Wanyama and Dembele injured, Pochettino is a little light in midfield options and should use Eric Dier as the shield for his backline. Young Harry Winks had a decent outing in the UCL encounter and should keep his place alongside Dier in the midfield.
Serge Aurier has already dropped into his old habits, picking up an early suspension. He will miss this game, giving Pochettino no option but to use Kieran Trippier as a wing-back on the right side. Rose’s injury lay-off means Ben Davies is uncontested for his place as a left wing-back.
Attack:
English ace Harry Kane has found his goal scoring touch and is the player to watch out for in this tie. He will have a tough time against the likes of Schindler and Jorgensen, who have been solid for the hosts this season but will be assisted by the likes of Christian Eriksen, who is already showing his craft and Dele Alli, who needs to quickly find his goal-scoring boots.
Moussa Sissoko, Heung Min-Son and Fernando Llorente should all make the bench.
Here is how they might line-up:
