Spurs have missed Champions League football since the 2010-11 season and will make their much-awaited return to Europe’s premier club completion as they take on AS Monaco at the Wembley Stadium on Wednesday. Mauricio Pochettino’ side, drawn alongside CSKA Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen and AS Monaco in Group E, should make it to the round of 16, well at least on paper.
Monaco have made a dream start to Ligue 1 beating Nantes, PSG and Lille back to back after a draw against Guingamp on the opening day. The French side have beaten Fenerbahce and Villarreal in the qualification rounds to make it to the group stage and will be high on confidence heading to London. Spurs, on the other hand, looked solid against Stoke in their 4-0 win on Saturday after a rather slow start to the season. The Lilywhites will be keen to use their home advantage and make their Champions League comeback in a strong manner.
Here is the predicted Spurs lineup for the game.
Defence
Hugo Lloris is back from injury and had a great game against stoke on Saturday getting a clean sheet in the process. The Frenchman will lead Spurs against Monaco as he starts between the sticks. Kyle Walker is likely to keep his place in the right-back position as Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen starts at the heart of the defence. Ben Davies will keep his place in the left-back position as Danny Rose is out injured.
Midfield
Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama have impressed big time in midfield this season while Mousa Dembele was serving a suspension. Dembele and Moussa Sissoko are both likely to remain on the bench as Wanyama and Dier are the preferred central midfield duo at the moment.
Dele Alli had a slow start to the season but the youngster impressed highly against Stoke and also got himself on the scoresheet. Alli is likely to start as a number ten. Christian Eriksen is an integral member of the Spurs side and will keep his place on the left flank. Erik Lamela had been one of the most impressive players so far this season for Spurs but Heung-Min Son, after his excellent brace against Stoke, is likely to keep his place on the right flank ahead of the Argentine international.
Attack
Harry Kane had a relatively slow start to the new season but came back to scoring ways against Stoke City. The English international will spearhead Spurs’ attack as he makes his Champions League debut.