Tottenham Hotspur hit back strongly after a horrible outing in Belgium as they rode on a well taken Harry Kane hat-trick to emerge comfortable 3-0 winners over in-form Championship team Fulham and advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals. The win would have come as a huge relief to Pochettino and his boys as they were slowly beginning to lose the momentum they had gathered so meticulously over the first half of the season. Although they had embarrassingly crashed out of the Champions League, that bit of failure was brushed aside owing to their fine run in the Premier League. But a loss against Liverpool and the loss against Gent raised questions regarding their mentality once again.
The win over Fulham was welcome and now the 2nd leg against Gent on Thursday will be one of their more important matches this season. They are expected to go with a strong starting line-up as Pochettino will settle for nothing but a win which would make them winners on aggregate. And while the manager has called for his team to treat the tie as a final, it is expected that luck might not be with their side and that the players have to outclass the opposition. Spurs have rarely been at their best at Wembley this season, having won just one of their three Champions League group games at the national stadium.
But the strong team against not the fiercest opponents should be good enough to do the job.
PREDICTED TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI VS GENT (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Hugo Lloris will be in goal and Spurs need him to be at his best and be his usual efficient self which he has been for most parts this season. Kyle Walker will be at right back and his contributions will be vital. The experienced and extremely talented duo of Vertonghen and Alderweireld are back once again and will be confident of keeping the opposition out. Rose will be missing in action once again and Davies is likely to play in his place.
MIDFIELD
The reliable duo of Victor Wanyama and Dembele will again be the double pivot in midfield. The two of them have complemented each other well and will look to dominate the midfield. Dele Alli will again be the No.10 and will look to get on the scoresheet after a brief lull.
ATTACK
On the left-side, Eriksen will be stationed to be the creator-in-chief. Son will play on the right-hand side while hat-trick hero, Harry Kane will lead the line.
