Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur came out with flying colours when they faced the biggest test of their European season against Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid in the mid-week Champions League clash. The vibrant English side took on the European Champions in the group stage clash at Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have had a stuttering start to their La Liga defence which got further complicated after their 1-2 defeat to Girona but have been in good form in their Champions League campaign winning two matches and drawing the third. They will be up against Pochettino’s side, who are currently at the top of the table.
The fixture will be exciting to watch given both teams come into the match after disappointing defeats in the league over the weekend and will look for a response.
Tottenham will have a tough job tackling the reigning champions, who will want to get over their embarrassing defeat at the hands of Girona.
Although Zidane fielded his strongest available side, he is likely to do so again for the fixture against Spurs. The French manager, however, will have to do without the injured Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal.
Harry Kane will be looking to return to the starting line-up after missing out on Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford. The Englishman, coming off his best goalscoring month after scoring 13 goals in September, is however still a doubt for the big match. This astonishing achievement put him on par with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who also have scored 13 goals each for their best goalscoring record in a month.
It will most likely be the first time that Pochettino will have an almost fully fit first-team and with Dele Alli finishing his European suspension, Pochettino will have an array of attackers to choose from.
Tottenham produced a courageous display last time out against Real Madrid to draw 1-1 and will look to go one better this time around.
Here is how Tottenham is expected to line-up with 3-4-3
Defence:
Hugo Lloris will be expected in goal with Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and summer signing Davinson Sanchez expected as the three centre-backs. Danny Rose is likely to get his first start in a long time at left wing-back while Serge Aurier’s Champions League experience might just put him at right wingback ahead of Kieran Trippier.
Midfield:
Eric Dier is likely to be one of holding midfielders with the other being Mousa Dembele after Pochettino confirmed that the midfielder will be available should everything go well.
Attack:
Harry Kane will almost surely be leading the line if he is fit and is likely to be flanked by Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen. Here is how they might line up:
