3-4-3 Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup To Face Rochdale: Dier And Foyth In Defence?

Having managed to break into the top-4 of the league points table, Tottenham Hotspur will turn their attention to the FA Cup this mid-week as they welcome League One outfit Rochdale, in a game they could have avoided. Spurs managed a 2-2 draw at the Spotland Stadium last week and will look to put things to bed in the replay of the 5^th round of the competition.

Mauricio Pochettino will look to field a strong side, as they play the Terriers at the weekend and will hope to prolong the hopes of his first silverware with the Lily Whites. Rochdale drew with MK Dons at the weekend and will leave no stone unturned at the English capital. Here is the predicted lineup Spurs might field for this tie:

Team News:

Pochettino revealed that his first choice CB partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, both of who missed the weekend’s game vs Crystal Palace, are both ruled out for this game. They remain the only absentees ahead of this game.

Expected lineup (3-4-3):

Defense:

Pochettino used Michel Vorm in the first leg of this tie and is expected to stick with him, giving Hugo Lloris some rest this week. With Vertonghen and Alderweireld both out injured, young Davinson Sanchez will act as the senior CB in this tie. He could be helped by the experience of Eric Dier, who could play in a make-shift role in the backline.

Another youngster in Juan Foyth may also get his chance to impress, starting at the heart of the back-3 for Spurs.

Midfield:

Moussa Sissoko will not get too many chances to prove himself to Pochettino. But he is expected to keep his place in the middle of the park and should be partnered with Harry Winks, who will also make a return to the first team, for the first time after an injury.

Ben Davies has been one of the most consistent players for Spurs in the league this season and could be rested, giving Danny Rose a run at left wing-back while Kieran Trippier, who has lost his first-team spot to Serge Aurier, should start on the right side as a wing-back in this game.

Attack:

Harry Kane has been exceptional yet again this season and deserves a rest. He should be replaced by Fernando Llorente, who also started the game against Rochdale last week. Lucas Moura is slowly settling into life at Spurs and could start on the right flank while Heung Min-Son is expected to keep his place on the left flank in attack.

Here is how they might line up: