Tottenham Hotspur start their season with a tricky trip to Newcastle United on Sunday. The Magpies gained promotion to the Premier League by winning the Championship and had excelled at pretty much everything. And with a manager like Rafael Benitez at the helm, Spurs aren’t expected to have an easy go by any means.
Spurs are further over-burdened by their lack of transfer activities in the summer as the North London club are yet to find the proper additions that could be an upgrade to the squad. Spurs’ away record hasn’t been as impeccable either and St. James’ Park boasts of many giant killing tales.
Predicted 3-4-3 Tottenham Hotspur Line-Up vs Newcastle United
Defence
Hugo Lloris will take his position under the bar. The Frenchman had a near perfect season last campaign, one that even saw him rewarded with an improved contract, and Mauricio Pochettino isn’t expected to experiment with that position.
We expect the Lilywhites to start with a three-man defence in this game as they miss out on Kieran Tripper with an ankle injury with return date not known yet. The same could be said about their first choice left back Danny Rose, who will continue to miss with his long-term knee injury. Three-man defence remains their best resort at such crisis time.
The clinical duo of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld will see Eric Dier joining them at the back once again. Spurs had to do well to hold on to the English defensive midfielder who was of keen interest to Manchester United.
Midfield
The wing backs are expected to be Ben Davies and Moussa Sissoko. Davies has been quite a regular now after playing the whole of the second half of the last season in Rose’ absence. Sissoko, on the other hand, faces a do or die season this time following his underwhelming displays of last season and should be perfect to take the right wing-back’s role with his style of play.
In the midfield, Victor Wanyama remains a doubt for the game with a knee injury with Pochettino likely to go with young Harry Winks alongside Mousa Dembele. Such has been the form and depth of Tottenham that even this midfield partnership seems totally capable of seeing off a determined Newcastle United in their backyard.
Attack
The uncertainty of winger Heung Min Son is yet another setback for the Argentine gaffer. He has returned from his arm injury but is nowhere near to full fitness. We expect the world class duo of Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli to star behind the mercurial Harry Kane up front.
