Predicted Tottenham Lineup To Face Huddersfield Town In The Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur’s colossal rise had a hushed build-up behind the scenes under Mauricio Pochettino, who has transformed the North Londoners into an admirable European force. Spurs are not only going strong in Europe but also handled the excessive pressure of a congested schedule quite remarkably and are now back among the ‘top four’ of the league in order to secure a Champions League berth for next campaign. They clinched an edgy win over Crystal Palace last week and will now be upbeat to repeat the same against Huddersfield Town following a thumping 6-1 win over League One minnows Rochdale in midweek’s Emirates FA Cup replay at Wembley.
Team News
Spurs’ season has not been troubled by injuries but the central defensive duo of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen is unlikely to feature against the Terriers. Vertonghen, however, will go through a late fitness test ahead of the game but might not be risked considering the decisive Champions League round of 16 (2nd leg) clash against heavyweights Juventus on Wednesday night.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Pochettinho experimented with team formation earlier this season and also lined up his side in a ‘back-3’ setup. He, however, has finally found a settlement in the 4-2-3-1 pattern and is likely retain the same against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Probable Tottenham XI
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
Hugo Lloris (GK)
The French custodian was rested against Rochdale but is set to return between the sticks against David Wagner’s men at Wembley. He had a couple of nervy moments but managed to clinch a clean-sheet against Crystal Palace last weekend and will want to grab another in a comparatively easier outing.
Serge Aurier (RB)
Aurier and Trippier have been rotated so far this season but the former might be preferred against the Terriers as he was rested midweek against the Dale.
Davinson Sanchez (CB)
The young Colombian has done more than a decent job in place of the injured Toby Alderweireld so far this campaign. He should retain his central defensive role in this league game and continue to impress ahead of the Juventus tie.
Eric Dier (CB)
Vertonghen’s injury has forced Pochettino to slot the versatile Englishman in a central defensive role where he should feature once more on Saturday.
Ben Davies (LB)
The Welshman has established himself as one of Premier League’s finest left-backs and is set to trouble the terriers with his overlapping runs, crosses and link-up play down the flank.
Victor Wanyama (CM)
Eric Dier’s makeshift central defensive role has handed Wanyama his first-team role back. He is set to feature in a deeper midfield slot.
Mousa Dembele (CM)
Dembele has been Spurs’ biggest influence after Harry Kane as the Belgian is running the entire show from a central midfield role. His combativeness, ball retention ability, dribbles and vision have made him an intriguing and crucial member of this exquisite North London outfit.
Christian Eriksen (RM)
Eriksen has been utilised in a wide role but his creativity and footwork allow him to operate more centrally in order to produce a bigger impact. His set-piece traits and passing attributes make things much easier for an unstoppable Harry Kane inside the box who is now ruling the Premier League with his goal-poaching attribute.
Dele Alli (CAM)
Has been in the news for all wrong reasons in recent weeks, particularly due to his diving controversy. The young Englishman, however, is an amazing footballer who must not lose his focus and should work harder to achieve the heights he is capable of.
Heung-min Son (LM)
Son was replaced by Erik Lamela in recent weeks, as the South Korean was mostly being used as an impact substitute. He, however, scored a brace against Rochdale on Wednesday night and might be handed an opportunity to start the game against the Terriers.
Harry Kane (ST)
Fernando Llorente’s hat-trick against Rochdale makes no influence on his first-team return in the Premier League as none in the world at this moment is good enough to replace Harry Kane up front. He is the frontrunner for a 3rd consecutive Premier League Golden Boot Award and will be keen on bagging a few more on Saturday.