Tottenham Hotspur restart their Carabao Cup campaign on Wednesday when they lock horns with Stoke City in the quarter-final. The Lilywhites have endured a rough patch recently as they are yet to win any of their last three Premier League matches, a run that includes two back to back defeats to Liverpool and Leicester City respectively. So Jose Mourinho’s men will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways by reaching the semi-final of the Carabao Cup this midweek.
Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Lineup Vs Stoke City
Defence
With title challenge slowly slipping away, the Carabao Cup remains an excellent opportunity for Tottenham to earn some silverware. So naturally, one would expect Jose to field his first-team against Stoke City this midweek.
However, Serge Aurier looks likely to be benched after a horror show against Leicester City. It could finally pave the way for Matt Doherty to return to the starting lineup, though there should be no changes on the opposite flank, with Sergio Reguilon starting ahead of Ben Davies.
In central defence, Toby Alderweireld might be handed a rest as the games come thick and fast for the ageing Belgian. He should thus make way for new signing Joe Rodon, who may partner Davinson Sanchez at the heart of Tottenham’s four-man backline.
There should no change in goal, however, with Hugo Lloris once again getting the nod ahead of Joe Hart, who was poor in his last cup game.
Midfield
Mourinho has been handed an injury scare heading into this game as star player Giovani Lo Celso looks set to be out in midweek after picking up a muscle injury. His absence should guarantee a place for Harry Winks in the team as the Englishman looks to partner Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in central midfield.
Tanguy Ndombele, Moussa Sissoko and Dele Alli are competing for the additional midfield slot. But, the Frenchman is likely to get the nod due to his form, although he looks destined to be replaced by Alli in the second half.
Attack
Moving forward, it won’t be surprising to see Jose Mourinho retaining the services of one of Son Heung-Min or Harry Kane. The South Korean international looks likely to start as he has suffered a little dip in form in recent weeks.
Son should operate on the left-hand channel, with Gareth Bale starting ahead of Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura on the opposite flank. They will both look to provide the supply for new signing Carlos Vinicius, though Kane does remain an option on the bench for the Lilywhites.
