After yet another 2-1 win, our sixth of the season, we face a visit from Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United at White Hart Lane. United also won on Boxing Day, picking up their three points with a comfortable 3-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford. Tottenham are just two points off of the top four, and just five off United, this gap could close to two points with it Spurs win. But with a Manchester United win, the gap would open up to eight points. Here is the team news and predicted line-up.
Team News:
The Tottenham squad remains pretty much injury free as Hugo Lloris is available for selection despite picking up a knock from Jamie Vardy yesterday, and Ryan Mason could return to the starting line-up after he appeared against Leicester as a second half substitute.
Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris:
Hugo Lloris was our Man Of The Match on Boxing Day, and made a number of key saves to keep us in the game, although he could have done better for the Leicester goal, but at the end of the day, you can’t save them all. He should start after he picked up a small knock.
Defence: Kyle Walker, Federico Fazio, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose:
I expect to see the same four starting at the back that started against Leicester. Although there are things that need to be addressed in the defence. We need to stop making mistakes in that defensive area, and last season it really did cost us, and it is very close to costing us again this season. Mistakes need to be minimal in the defence.
Midfield (Holding): Ryan Mason, Benjamin Stambouli:
Nabil Bentaleb has been playing a lot of football over the last few weeks, and he may now need to be rested for a game. This gives Mauricio Pochettino a very good opportunity to try out different combinations in the holding midfield positions. I think that Ryan Mason, returning from injury, and Benjamin Stambouli is the best place to start after he tried the former Montpellier player out with Nabil Bentaleb.
Midfield (Attacking): Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela:
All is going well with the attacking midfield three, with Erik Lamela performing well against Leicester, providing the through ball in the first minute to set Chadli off, who crossed to Kane for the goal. Then of course, Christian Eriksen struck in the second half to give us a good win at the King Power.
Striker: Harry Kane:
Kane is in fantastic form at the moment, and we will need his goals if we are to get a result against Manchester United. With fifteen goals in all competitions this season, Kane is a key part of our team, and needs to start in every game we play.
