There was mixed news from Andre Villas-Boas ahead of this crucial match and while Sandro is going to miss the game, it sounds as though Jake Livermore may well step in to take his place.

“Jake returned to training today after the knock he picked up in the Norwich game,” said AVB yesterday.

“He is still showing some discomfort, but we’ve included him in the squad selection and we’ll decide tomorrow.”

It’s thought that Sandro should be fit for Sunday’s game with Manchester City but for now, the Brazilian joins Moussa Dembele on the sidelines.

Elsewhere, it’s the Europa League and that could lead to a lot of changes across the park. Hugo Lloris is expected to take over in goal while Michael Dawson may well partner Steven Caulker in central defence.

Emmanuel Adebayor is widely expected to start but could AVB use this game as a chance to experiment with a new, more attacking formation? – Probably not… Here’s our predicted starting XI but what’s your view?

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23 COMMENTS

  2. Livermore is a big doubt for the game. my lineup would be

    Lloris
    Naughton Caulker Dawson Vertonghen
    Carrol Thudd
    Lennon Gylfi Falque
    Ade

  3. Hud, Livermore and Demp are dreadful. If this is the starting team keep you eye on the lack of movement, forward thinking or linkup play from these three. Hopefully I’m wrong but these three are poop. Please prove me wrong. We need a decent attacking midfielder.

    • I agree any formation that keeps Dempsey and Sigurdsson out of the side….Ade and Defoe upfront

      Thats what you get for buying cheap Levy

  7. I think that line up will more or less be correct, not very exciting though is it. Thudd is not creative enough in my eyes.

    Its basically a must win if we want to progress but with the City game coming up at the weekend we should rest 1 or 2 key players.

    I would perfer to see..

    Lloris

    Walker Dawson Caulker Naughton

    Falque Huddlestone Livermore Bale

    Defoe Adeyebor

    Find out what Defoe & Ade can do together in the first half, then bring on dempsey for either later on.

    In a 4 4 2 I wonder how creative Siggi/Dempsey could be next to Hudd/Livemore who sit deeper

    • Siggi and Dempsey are cack, what more do you need to see we have had 14 games to see something from these 2 and they have both been poor in every one, both have 2 awful tap ins that have saved there bacon.

      Neither have the technical ability…..I personally thing Sig is better but he makes Hudd look fast, he has the slowest feet I have ever seen

  9. Got to be

    Lloris
    Naughton Dawson Caulker Vertonghen
    Townsend huddlestone mason falque
    adebayor defoe

    Thats what i wud like to see

  10. Lloris
    Walker Dawson(c) Vertonghen Naughton
    Carroll Livermore
    Falque Siggy Townsend
    Adebayor

    Subs: Friedel, Defoe, Huddlestone, Lennon, Dempsey, Mason, Gallas

    Think Carroll and Falque can make a big difference in the creativity department…

  11. Lloris

    Gallas Dawson Caulker

    Lennon Huddlestone Parrett Falque

    Demspey

    Adebayor Obika

    Subs: Cudicini, Naughton, Walker, Bale, Livermore, Cellabos, Defoe, Siggy

  13. I meant to put Townsend on the right instead of Azza Blud. The fact Maribor will offer very little in attack means I dont see why we cant play an open back 3 with Hudd dropping deep when need be, leaving Parrett to link up with Demspey to supply Ade and Obika. Townsend and Falque to supply the WIDTH (which means stay wide!)

  14. My view…….

    Lloris
    Walker. Dawson. Caulker. Vertonghen

    Falque Huddlestone. Lennon

    Dempsey Bale

    Adebayor

    Bench:
    Cudicini
    Naughton
    Townsend
    Carroll
    Siggy
    Defoe
    Gallas
    Me 🙂

  16. Those suggesting that, if playing a 4-4-2, we select Falque for a wide right or wide left role are deluded. Although he has pace, he’s more trickery and would benefit from being further up the field.

    Realistically…

    Lloris

    Walker / Dawson / Caulker / Jan
    Hudd / Carroll
    Lennon or Falque / Dempsey / Bale
    Adebayor

    Defore ready to leap off the bench.

  18. AVB should play defoe up front with adebayor just behind him in the position he plays dempsey and dempsey should be left out . Lenon & bale on the wings & in midfield sandro & huddlestone . In defence walker , jan ,gallas caulker, & lloris in goal

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