The news ahead of this first leg is generally good with reports that both Moussa Dembele and Emmanuel Adebayor could be fit for tonight’s game.
Meanwhile, head coach Andre Villas-Boas has ruled out Clint Dempsey and Tom Huddlestone along with long term injury victims Sandro and Younes Kaboul.
“Moussa is okay,” said AVB. “Ade still has a chance of being involved, so hopefully both will be available. Clint and Tom won’t be able to make it, Sandro and Younes are also still out.”
With Jermain Defoe returning as a second half substitute on Sunday, it seems more likely that JD will lead the line even if Ade is fit. Behind the front man, Bale and Lennon could be joined by either Gylfi Sigurdsson or Lewis Holtby with Parker and Dembele seem set to resume in defensive midfield.
The defence is so hard to guess with AVB shuffling the pack so often but assume Brad Friedel will start behind the back four.
The boss will want to pick as a strong a side as possible, even though we have an important league game at Anfield on Sunday. Here’s our starting XI but what’s your opinion?
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Whilst I think that Friedel will get the nod, I seriously think that Lloris should be playing against Milan tonight. I think we should be putting out our strongest available side now for the rest of the season, as we’re now getting down to the serious stuff in the Europa, as well as the league. My team tonight would be:
Lloris, Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Parker, Dembele, Holtby, Lennon, Bale, Defoe
————-Lloris————-
Naughton—Gallas–Caulker—BAE
——-Livermore–Holtby——–
Lennon—Dembele——Bale
————Defoe————–
Bench: Parker, Daws, Vertonghen, Siggy, Carroll, Bradley, Ade.
I’d like to see Dembele play further forward and if Holtby can dictate play from a bit deeper.
I fully expect AVB to field a strong side, with only a couple of changes from the Arsenal game.
But I’d like to see us rest a few for Liverpool which is a massive game as well. My starting 11:
Friedel
Naughton, Caulker, Gallas, Assou Ekotto
Livermore, Parker
Sigurdsson, Bale, Holtby
Defoe
I would play livermore instead of parker. I rate livermore as a squad player, he can do a job, and we seriously don’t want to see parker get too tired out. definitely play holtby as he didnt feature against the arse. I think I would take a leap of faith and start tom carroll if there is even the slightest hint that dembele might be dodgy.
Brad, Walker, Dawson, Vert, BAE, Parker, Holtby, Lennon, Bale, Siggy, Defoe
I want Lloris to play, he’s the better keeper and if we are taking this tournament seriously we play our best players.
AVB has stressed the need for a clean sheet; high pressing tactic is likely to be employed… I would be glad to see one of Bale or Aaron getting some rest… BAE has to start, he hasn’t played much this season so is still fresh
Lloris
Naughton; Gallas; Vertonghen; BAE
Livermore; Dembele
Lennon; Bale; Holtby
Defoe
Need to give a few plays a rest, I would play Assio as he has rested but he must rotate his squad and rest Dembele. Expect to see Calker and Naughton, this is my team:
Brad
Naughton Gallas Calker Benny
Livermore Siggy
Lennon Bale Holtby
Defoe.
COYS!
Friedel; Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Dembele, Parker, Bale; Holtby; Defoe.
Subs – Lloris; Vertonghen, Gallas, Naughton; Sigurdsson, Livermore; Adebayor.
Siggy needs the carrot. He has made some impact lately. Play him. Holtby to come on later. Dawson needs to keep playing. Vertonghen can rest. Play Friedel to keep him fresh. Ekotto should keep playing. No point in playing Bale on left with Defoe up front….in the hole. If Dembele not fit, it’ll have to be Livermore…with Carroll to come on. That’s: Friedel; Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Dembele, Parker, Siggy on left; Bale; Defoe.
Friedel
Walker-Gallas-Caulker-Naughton
carrol-livermore
Siggy-Bale-Holtby
Ade