Tottenham welcome Arsenal to Wembley on Saturday for the second North London derby of the season, and Mauricio Pochettino has a number of decisions to make regarding his team selection.
There was plenty of rotation for Wednesday’s FA Cup replay win over Newport County, which gave a few players the chance to be rested and others the opportunity to return to match fitness.
With that in mind, I hope Toby Alderweireld is fit enough to start after completing 90 minutes in midweek.
Danny Rose also played until near the end again against Newport, but Pochettino is likely to return to the full-back pairing that featured against Liverpool last weekend, Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier.
Meanwhile, the Spurs boss revealed Lucas Moura is in contention to make his debut for the club in the derby. He’s unlikely to start, though.
The rest of the team effectively picks itself in current form. Here’s our predicted line-up to face Arsenal – what’s yours? Let us know in the comments.
I would like Wanyama to start . The threat of another cracker might just open up the defence
I think yo may have it correct. Wanyama might start instead of either Dembele or Dier. If Wanyama is on the bench, he will likely replace Dembele at some point to bring fresh legs, unless an injury or tactical decision requires change before that.
I am expecting to see Lucas come on eventually. I think here will be a huge roar.
I would like Wanyama to start
I’m hoping for a 3.2.1.3.1 which can drop into a 5.1.3.1 when it needs to. For the 3rd spot in central defence i think its a hard toss up between Sanchez and Dier. Dier could get it for his extra versatility, but I’ve gone for Sanchez in my line up.
lloris
Vertonghen, Sanchez, Alderweireld
Trippier, Wanyama, Davies
Son, Alli, Eriksen
Kane
Wanyama in for dier the mid field battle would be over and sanchez must start also ….
Dier has become accident prone of late. A turn on the bench would be no bad thing. Wanyama should start.
Dier is our weakest link and has been for some time.
Wanyama played well against Liverpool and Newport. Lamela also played very well in both.
I think we may need to look at clipping a few balls a bit longer as last time out we were crowded out in the middle with ease.
[…] Alderweireld played 90 minutes in midweek. Does that mean he will be match fit for the derby? You can have a look at our predicted Spurs XI here. […]
[…] We included the 25-year-old in our predicted XI to face Arsenal, which you can have a look at here. […]
We must keep it very tight at the back and our link up play of the 2/3 CBs with our holding midfielder must work hand in hand. The back line of 4 or 5 must focus 100% to keep out their attacking players especially Aumabeyang, Lacazette (if he starts), Ramsey and so on. Whoever is playing the holding midfielder role, in regardless is Wanyama or Dier, he needs to break out the Arsenal play and cut out all the balls that play into Aumebayang. We need a fast player to contain him and to stop from shooting in and around our penalty box. COYS, come on Dier, Sanchez and fellow defenders, we need you to be at your very best to see out this game. Lloris got to be very focus and alert if he wants to keep another clean sheet and I am hoping he is the one who will help us win the game. Come on the real Spurs and fight them for every ball, show us your never give up attitude and your real fighting spirit so that we will come out triumph for this game. Please don’t let us down!
I am urging the Tottenham players to close down the Arsenal attacking players and not let them have any breathing space throughout the 90 mins plus stoppage time. It’s a MUST that we pressurize their players, not letting them to dictate their play and we have to win back possession as soon as we loose the ball. Alli and Ericksen will need to step up their game and our CBs will need to make use their football brains to tackle their attacking players. I meant that they have to play smart, tough but not rough and to have any chance of winning the game. COYS, to DARE is to DO! Common, please UP your game, I beg you please!