Predicted Tottenham Lineup vs Monaco
A 4-1 home win filled with controversial goals nonetheless has given Spurs’s squad a spring to their steps and as they build up to their crucial group stage game v Monaco in what is probably the toughest game in an already tricky group.
The club confirmed South Korean international, Son will stay back in London as he is recovering from a knock to the feet, while Poch also confirmed recently that Cameroonian, N’Jie is all geared up for his first ever start in a Spurs kit.
The goal keeper role for cup games has always been a puzzling choice for Spurs, though they have an able 2nd choice keeper in Michel Vorm, Pochettino has used club captain Hugo Lloris many times, just like the last Europa league fixture where Vorm was on the bench. Looking at the importance of this fixture, Lloris may yet again start as captain.
Kieran Trippier made his Spurs debut against Qarabag and will most probably be starting ahead of Kyle Walker who is the #1 choice for PL games. The central defence pairing will mostly feature one of the 2 Belgians along with Austrian international Kevin Wimmer. Although Federico Fazio, a winner of the Europa League with Sevilla before joining Tottenham last season, is in the squad, his lack of pace to play in a high line comparatively to the Belgian options may play a huge factor in him missing out in a starting berth. Danny Rose is still making strides to full match fitness and Pochetino will look to give him his minutes v Monaco to help in his efforts to be ready and sharp for the PL games.
Eric Dier and Delle Alli will continue in the central midfield role. Spurs can’t afford to rest either of 2 due to the importance of this away result and hence both England internationals risk being burned out but if things seem to be going well, we can see Caroll and Harry Winks probably make appearances as substitutes.
The front 3 behind the striker will comprise of new signing N’Jie as confirmed by Pochettino. His partner on the opposite flank is likely to be Townsend. The England international will look to grab this chance and prove a point that he isn’t just a squad member. The pace on the flanks will be pivotal to either of Eriksen or Nacer Chadli. One of these 2 will play behind the striker as the creative mastermind for the fixture and with Chadli featuring on the bench for most of the City game, I have a good feeling that he will start against Monaco and look to regain the form by scoring goal(s).
Harry Kane regained his goal-scoring touch this weekend and he will be absolutely key this Thursday at Monaco. Goals win you matches and Spurs need it badly against Monaco as they are not playing any pushovers, in fact, Spurs have to be on their best game as they are facing a team that failed to qualify for the CL as they got knocked out by Valencia.
Spurs boast the meanest and tightest defence in the PL so far this season and they will need to put in similar performances in the Europa league as well if they want to make it out of the group stages. A win at Monaco will mean they are right on track to do so.