It doesn’t get much easier for Tottenham in the New Year after they played out a 0-0 draw with Manchester United. Next Up for Spurs is a match with Chelsea at White Hart Lane. The league leaders also drew on Sunday, but they have the edge over Mauricio Pochettino’s side, after they beat Spurs in early December convincingly 3-0. Here is the team news and predicted line-up.
Team News:
Tottenham have no fresh injury concerns to carry over from 2014, and Nabil Bentaleb is set to return to the fold after he missed the goalless draw with Manchester United through illness.
Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
I simply cannot stress how impressed I have been with this Frenchman over the last two games, especially against Louis van Gaal’s men. He earned Man Of The Match on our player ratings in the last two matches, and if he keep up this form, we will keep a lot more clean sheets than we have been.
Defence: Kyle Walker, Federico Fazio, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies:
After being rested on Sunday, I expect Kyle Walker to return to the right-back spot ahead of the out-of-position Vlad Chiriches. I can’t see anybody beating either Jan Vertonghen or Federico Fazio to either centre-back positions. Ben Davies played well against United, and should keep his place at left-back. A rather simple defensive line-up, with just one change at right-back.
Midfield (Holding): Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason:
Although he has played well in the last couple of games, I do not think that summer signing Benjamin Stambouli has set the world alight with his performances, so with Nabil Bentaleb could return in his place. Mason and the Algerian have been excellent this season when they have been paired together in the middle of the park.
Midfield (Attacking): Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen, Nacer Chadli:
Andros Townsend didn’t have the best of games on Sunday, and wasn’t particularly good at covering for Chiriches, Lamela is slightly better at this for me, although this may not be required as Kyle Walker could return to the starting line-up. As I have said before, Christian Eriksen is a vital part of the team and should once again start behind the striker in the centre. Chadli looked okay on Sunday, but just lacked the finishing touches, just like the rest of the team to be honest.
Striker: Harry Kane:
Mauricio Pochettino could, and maybe should return to a 4-2-3-1 formation again to play against Chelsea, and that means having just the one striker up front. If you are starting just one man up top, there is no one better than Harry Kane to put there, with fifteen goals in all competitions, he should be the man to tackle John Terry and Gary Cahill in the Chelsea defence.
