Tottenham Hotspur, unfortunately, have fallen out of a title race that they were so integral to at this point in time last year. The quest towards attaining a top-four spot, however, continues as they will play their second game in a gap of 72 hours now.
Mauricio Pochettino cannot afford to tinker too much with his squad as currently, the Spurs are out of the top four. They are a point behind Liverpool, who are in the fourth place and hence Pochettino cannot afford to have any slip-ups in the second half of the season.
Team News
Toby Alderweireld’s injury continues to concern Tottenham as the Belgian rock will be out until February. The influential Victor Wanyama is still out for the foreseeable future.
Defence
Hugo Lloris will look to keep another clean sheet with in-form Austin banned for the visitors. He will have to marshal the defence, which has looked a bit shaky at times this season.
Eric Dier will play at the heart of the back three. Dier has good positional awareness, something that makes him a success in both midfield and defence.
Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez will flank Dier on either side. Vertonghen can make some decisive inroads into the midfield while Sanchez will be expected to hold his end strong.
Midfield
Kieran Trippier has been impressive ever since Kyle Walker made the move to Manchester. Trippier’s defensive discipline and the ability to make incisive runs makes him a safe option for the right wingback spot.
Ben Davies is another player who has performed at a high level for a while now. Davies is an absolute menace going forward, as his key passes and constant crosses wreck havoc in the opposition box.
Harry Winks will be expected to distribute the ball and recycle possession after making a return from an ankle injury.
Dele Alli will be partnering Winks in the midfield. Alli can switch into a more advanced role to support the attack when they go on the offensive.
Attack
Christian Eriksen and Son-Heung Min will play behind Harry Kane in a front three. Eriksen uses his incredibly long and accurate passing range to whip in some serious crosses and can influence the play from the centre of the park too.
Son will look to carry on his good form and get on the scoresheet to go with his tireless displays.
Harry Kane will have his eyes set on breaking Alan Shearer’s record of most goals scored in a calendar year in the EPL. Kane has been in amazing form this season too and would want to end the year on a high.
