Spurs are in decent form heading to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday to take on newly-promoted Middlesbrough. The Lilywhites never looked troubled against League One side Gillingham in the third round of the League Cup as they thrashed the minnows 5-0 to make it to the next round. Mauricio Pochettino will shift his focus to the Premier League and will be looking to increase their unbeaten streak to six games now. Middlesbrough, on paper, do not pose too much threat to the North London side but you can never allow your side to get complacent in the Premier League.
Boro started their much-awaited Premier League comeback campaign in a decent manner but have lost momentum after that. Five points from the first three games were followed by two back to back losses and Aitor Karanka will be looking to upset the Lilywhites at their home.
Here is the predicted Spurs lineup against Middlesbrough.
Defence
Hugo Lloris will keep his place under the bar ahead of Michel Vorm who started in the midweek against Gillingham. Kyle Walker is expected to make his way back to the starting XI in the right-back position, in place of Kieran Trippier. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will start at the heart of the defence. Danny Rose could make his comeback from injury before the Boro game but is unlikely to be risked in the starting XI meaning that Ben Davies will keep his place in the left-back position. The Spurs backline has been pretty mean until now and they’ll want to keep it that way with Harry Kane now out for almost two months.
Midfield
Victor Wanyama should keep his place in the middle of the park and will play the role of a midfield enforcer. Eric Dier is doubtful for the game and there is very little chance that Pochettino will take a chance with the fitness with one of his best players. With Mousa Dembele also doubtful, we expect Moussa Sissoko to start in his natural central midfield position.
Dele Alli is expected to continue as the number ten. Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen will ply his trade on the left flank. Erik Lamela is likely to start on the right flank.
Attack
Spurs suffered a major blow with the injury to their key man Harry Kane who is likely to miss two months. Vincent Janssen will get his chance to prove his worth as he will start up front in search of his first Premier League goal.
