Tottenham travel to Watford in the Premier League this weekend aiming to carry on the momentum gathered in Tuesday’s victory over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.
With a number of injuries to contend with, Jose Mourinho has several decisions to make regarding his team selection.
Hugo Lloris has returned to training but Mourinho revealed on Friday that the Frenchman will not be available for selection until early February. Harry Kane, Moussa Sissoko, Ben Davies and Tanguy Ndombele also remain sidelined.
Japhet Tanganga has started the last two games, but we think the 20-year-old will return to the bench on Saturday with Serge Aurier coming in at right-back. Toby Alderweield, Davinson Sanchez and Ryan Sesegnon will complete the back four in front of Paulo Gazzaniga.
Mourinho usually likes to have one defensive full-back and one attacking one. The absence of that means Eric Dier is likely to play to give the defence more protection. Dier’s presence also means more attacking midfielders can start – we think it will be Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso, rather than Christian Eriksen.
Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura will drift inside from out wide to support Son Heung-min through the middle. Here’s our predicted XI to face Watford – what’s yours? Let us know in the comments section below.
Mostly agree but I’d change Foyth for Dier and Tanganga for Sanchez
Foyth hasn’t really tried DM but Dier looked so out of shape again a weakened Middlesbrough team that he simply cannot start against an inform Watford.
Foyth is good at tackling, passing and moving with the ball, he’s been a little wreck less at times but mostly when he’s been panicked or the last line, with the command of Toby and Stamina and desire of Tanganga behind him I think he’d do well but this is unlikely to happen
This the best team. We need win no time to experiment. Dier like the writer said will allow you all the attacking options. I would go with Winks instead of Dier to have ball control. The youngster great but top many games in a row.Foyth is a no period.
Please Jose select Foyth instead of Dier also keep Tanganga in team not sure about Sesegnon
Please dont select Erikson
Middlesbrough only highlighted how bad Dier is to people who don’t go to games (not having a pop Phil just a broader point). He has consistently failed to read play over the past couple of seasons, he never tracks runners and his endless pointing to other players to get in positions is laughable. I don’t have a problem with him as a person, but he only serves to highlight the problems at the club that need solving. He’s a busted flush and the sooner he’s gone the better. Normally I’d suggest Everton, but now they have Ancelotti so god knows who’d take him.
Sachenz and Eric Dier are worse player so far..