Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur surprised the world after their European clash against Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid in the mid-week Champions League clash. The vibrant English side took on the European Champions for the group stage clash at Santiago Bernabeu and ended the night with a 3-1 victory against the reigning Champions.
Pochettino’s side are currently on top of the table in the Champions League and will be boosted by such a result. It will make them enter the weekend clash against Crystal Palace with sky-high confidence.
The fixture will be somewhat one-sided given Palace’s poor form in the league. Unless Roy Hodgson’s men can repeat their heroics against Chelsea or can unearth a draw out of nowhere like they did against West Ham United last time out, Kane and company are expected to have an easy win on the night.
Tottenham will have a tough job tackling their injuries, however. Pochettino had to endure a good part of this season without his dynamic left-back Danny Rose and influential midfielder Mousa Dembele. Having just overseen the return of two regular starters Pochettino is now left with more injury woes. Toby Alderweireld is a no-go for the weekend match after the Belgian after pulling his hamstring while playing against Real Madrid last time out. Another injury headache for Tottenham is that of Hugo Lloris after the French stopper injured his thigh. Victor Wanyama is still unfit to return and this leaves Pochettino with a new strategy to come up with again and to shape a team without his injured stars.
Harry Kane will be looking to return to the starting line-up in the league after missing out on Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford. The Englishman enjoyed a solid evening when thrown up against Sergio Ramos and is now a hot property across Europe. His astonishing achievement of scoring 13 goals in a month in September has made him a fearful prospect for any team now.
Tottenham produced a courageous display last time out against Real Madrid to defeat Real 3-1 and if they can produce half of the quality they did last time out, they should come away with three points.
Here is how Tottenham is expected to line-up with 3-5-2
Defence:
Hugo Lloris’ injury would mean that Michel Vorm will be expected in goal with Jan Vertonghen, Eric Dier 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 will be positioned at right wing back.
Midfield:
It will be young Harry Winks alongside Moussa Sissoko as the two centre midfielders with Christain Eriksen on top of them and Dembele as an option to come on from the bench.
Attack:
Harry Kane will be leading the line and is likely to be flanked by Dele Alli as the withdrawn striker. This is how they might line up:
