Tottenham fans are hungry for a trophy and the run their beloved club are in at the moment, they could genuinely hope for cup success. With the top 4 race looking like it will be an exciting but tough one, Spurs might think of winning the Europa League as a way of getting a Champions League berth next season. That might be getting ahead of ourselves though. For now, Pochettino will hope to pick up three points against Belgian side Anderlecht. So far, Spurs find themselves in a better position than their opponents. They have four points from two games after a win over Qarabag and a hard-earned point against Monaco. Their opponents have one point in their group so far.
Here is how Pochettino might set out his team.
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
The Frenchman is one of the finest goalkeepers in England at the moment. Vorm is likely to be the goalkeeper only for domestic cup games and it is likely that Pochettino will use captain Lloris in the European competition.
Defence: Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose
Tottenham have done wonderfully this season in defence. Pochettino’s defence has not let him down in any game and Belgian centre-back pairing Alderweireld and Vertonghen are key to this. The former has proved to be an emphatic signing and the £11.5 million Spurs paid for him seems like a bargain. Vertonghen’s performances have also become more assured since Alderweireld’s arrival. Danny Rose will start as the left-back in this game. Kieran Trippier has had to be incredibly patient for chances since his summer arrival from Burnley, but the youngster has done the same and has been given chances by his manager in cup matches. He has done well in both Europa matches and would hope to make a statement of intent in this game as well.
Midfield: Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele
Eric Dier could not participate against Liverpool due to suspension but will make a return against Anderlecht. The 21-year-old has been terrific since being deployed in the midfield by Pochettino. He will be partnered by Mousa Dembele, giving Dele Alli a breather. Alli’s good form meant the Belgian was receded to the bench recently, but he got a chance against Liverpool due to Dier’s suspension. The 28-year-old did not disappoint and put on an assertive performance against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Attack: Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen, Clinton N’Jie
Nacer Chadli’s early injury in the Liverpool game meant it was the same three — Lamela, Eriksen and N’Jie — who pretty much played the entire game against the Merseysiders. With Son still out injured, Pochettino is likely to use the same three in the Europa League match. N’Jie would hope to get his first goal for Spurs in this game. Lamela has shown flashes of unadulterated brilliance in a few games this season but needs to be more consistent. Eriksen undoubtedly remains the key man for the visiting side.
Striker: Harry Kane
Harry Kane’s form is a puzzle for his side at the moment. How can a player go from scoring 31 goals in one season to getting 1 goal which should have been disallowed, in 14 games? Kane undoubtedly needs to get back to striking the back of the net and needs his confidence restored. Spurs fans, Pochettino and Kane himself would hope the game against Anderlecht is a start of a purple patch for the striker.
