Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur will travel to Arena CSKA in Russia on Tuesday with a desperation to get all three points after their 1-2 loss to Monaco in the group stage opener. Yet to face a defeat this season in the Premier League, Spurs were upset by Ligue 1 giants Monaco in the first game of the Champions League and are sitting at the bottom of group E. Tottenham was heavily favoured to win this group, especially without a major opponent present in the group. Bayer Leverkusen was considered as a team that could cause problems but very few could have seen Monaco shocking Spurs at the Wembley.
CSKA Moscow will be high with confidence when they take on Spurs. They fell behind 2-0 against Bayer Leverkusen in their group stage opener but fought back and salvaged one crucial point. A trip to Russia is always difficult and Spurs have to be at their best if they hope to come back home with all three points. Spurs, without their key player Harry Kane, saw off Middlesbrough 1-2 at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday and would be favourites for the game.
Here is the predicted Spurs lineup against CSKA Moscow-
Defence
Skipper Hugo Lloris, one of the very best in his position, will start under the bar. We expect Kyle Walker to retain his place in the right-back position. Belgian duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will be the centre-back pairing.
Danny Rose could make his comeback from injury but is unlikely to be risked by Pochettino. Therefore, Welsh international Ben Davies should continue in the left-back position.
Midfield
Both Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele could come back in time and feature against CSKA Moscow. However, we do not expect Pochettino to directly throw them into the starting XI. Therefore, summer signing Victor Wanyama is expected to continue as the midfield enforcer. Fellow summer arrival Moussa Sissoko will partner the Belgian in the middle of the park.
Dele Alli will start as the number ten. Heung-Min Son made the headlines this Saturday against Boro with a brace and the South Korean wizard is likely to ply his trade on the right flank. Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen will line up on the left flank providing creativity to the side.
Attack
With Harry Kane out injured for almost two months, Spurs will rely on their summer signing Vincent Janssen for the goals. The 22-year-old topped the scoring charts in Eredivisie last season with AZ Alkmaar but had a rather slow start to life at White Hart Lane mostly due to Harry Kane ahead of him in the pecking order.
The Dutch international will be keen to make his mark as he starts up front for the Lilywhites.
