With Tottenham finding success at Watford with three at the back, much of the talk this week has concerned whether Mauricio Pochettino will stick with the system when leaders Chelsea visit White Hart Lane.
It certainly looks that way — Jan Vertonghen returns from suspension and joins Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld in the trio of centre backs.
Kyle Walker also starts as Kieran Trippier drops to the bench. The only other change sees Mousa Dembele replace Heung-Min Son in a strengthened midfield.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to all the team news.
#THFC: Lloris (C), Walker, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Wanyama, Dembele, Eriksen, Dele, Kane. #COYS pic.twitter.com/c9Y0EESDIL
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 4, 2017
Subs: Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Wimmer, Sissoko, Winks, Son. #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 4, 2017
Gone for it. Three at the back. Walker & Rose given the green light to bomb those right & left flanks up all night. Buzzingggg! #COYS
— Spurs In The Blood (@SpursInTheBlood) January 4, 2017
Man for man or an overload in midfield? pic.twitter.com/2hSMbCCE45
— Nathan (@TTTactics) January 4, 2017
Janssen another noticeable absentee missing from Spurs squad tonight, ultimately have to rely on attacking players selected. #COYS#THFC
— Ricky Sacks (@RickSpur) January 4, 2017
Given the formation, Dembele is now the crucial element in this game. If he fails to show sufficient attacking thrust we're unbalanced.
— Bankrupt (@bankruptspurs) January 4, 2017
Strong ? #THFC side. Nothing to fear tonight. Pressure's on Chelsea to increase the gap and break a record. Home support should be ? #COYS!!
— el wehbi (@ibleedhotspur) January 4, 2017
