After failing to secure all three points on Tuesday against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Spurs missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea. With Antonio Conte’s side playing Arsenal in the early kickoff, Spurs simply must capitalise on any slip-up.
Danny Rose will see a specialist on Monday to determine the extent of his knee injury, while Kieran Trippier and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou are still out, but making good progress. The same goes for Jan Vertonghen and Erik Lamela, as they look to recover from long-term injuries. Here is the Spurs predicted line-up to face Middlesbrough.
GK: Hugo Lloris
Missed out on a place in the squad for Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland through illness, but should make his return here.
CB: Eric Dier
Dier and Alderweireld stayed strong to keep a clean sheet, despite not having too much thrown at them, Dier should keep his place here at White Hart Lane.
CB: Toby Alderweireld
Also has been playing well in recent weeks, helping to secure that clean sheet on Tuesday. Alderweireld is an important part of the Spurs defence, and I back him to start here.
CB: Kevin Wimmer
I have not been impressed with Wimmer this season, his performances have been under-par, and he has looked out of his depth at times. However, I feel a return to a back three is the way forward, and that means Wimmer starting with Vertonghen out through injury.
RWB: Kyle Walker
With Kieran Trippier injured, Walker will be playing two games this week, that is for sure. Playing in this wing-back position, that gives him much more of a license to get forward and cause that Middlesbrough defence problems.
LWB: Ben Davies
I don’t think I have seen a particulary bad performance from Ben Davies this season, and he will have to step in for the injured Danny Rose on Saturday evening.
