Team Prediction: Tottenham XI to face Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tottenham will look to bounce back after the loss against Chelsea with a win over fellow top-four hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers. In a must-win match, victory will not only keep us on Chelsea’s tail but also throw a spanner into Wolves’ chances.
The loss to Chelsea has left us four points adrift with just 11 matches to play. With Frank Lampard’s side yet to play the likes of Everton, Liverpool, Sheffield United and Manchester City, there is still hope – provided we keep winning our games.
Wolves have enjoyed a fine season are behind us by just a single point. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side gave us a real game at the Molineux and even dominated us for vast periods. A stoppage-time header by Jan Vertoonghem ensured we left will all three points.
Spurs fans will hope for more of the same as a tough task await us on Sunday.
Team News
Tottenham are without Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son who are both injured for the foreseeable future. Midfielder Moussa Sissoko is also ruled out of the tie but is steadily recovering from his injury sustained in January.
Erik Lamela is yet to completely recover and could start once again from the bench. Meanwhile, Dele Alli is within a shot of being recalled.
Tottenham Predicted XI
Team Formation: 4-2-3-1
Hugo Lloris
There is no competition here as the Frenchman is easily the best goalkeeper at the club. His form has been decent of late and impressed against Leipzig. He wasn’t at fault for any of Chelsea’s goals and was otherwise solid at Stamford Bridge. Tottenham will hope he is in good nick as Wolves are a plucky team with lots of movement.
Serge Aurier
The Ivorian could regain his spot after being dropped at the weekend. Excellent going forward but suspect at the back. However, after watching the Spurs attack against Chelsea, they will need all the help they can get in the attack.
Jan Vertonghen
The Belgian has had a mixed few games where he has neither impressed nor disappointed. Will face off against the tricky Diogo Jota and will need to be at his best against the tricky winger. The Portuguese is in good form and will look to move into channels left open by Aurier.
Davinson Sanchez
Is likely to come up against the tricky Raul Jimenez who has scored 21 goals and 10 assists this season. Will need to be on his guard and also back up Ben Davies if needed against Adama Traore who is equally capable of cutting in and taking a shot.
Ben Davies
The Welshman has made his position his own since his return from injury. He will face a stern test against the imposing Adama Traore. The 24-year-old packs power and pace and will be a handful to tackle if he gets going. It is best to keep things simple and clear the ball than have a physical tussle with the Spaniard as Benjamin Mendy found to his cost.
Harry Winks
Tottenham will be dependent on Winks to protect the back four and the possession moving. The talented youngster hasn’t really got going as we know he is capable of. He will need to keep an eye on Reuben Neves as the Portuguese is known to have a pop at goal from distance.
Gedson Fernandes
The youngster is likely to come back in for Tanguy Ndombele after he disappointed against Chelsea. Jose Mourinho will need Fernandes to keep things tidy and link up with Giovani Lo Celso.
Giovani Lo Celso
Tottenham’s chief creator, the 23-year-old struggled against Chelsea and will be keen to make amends. He will be the furthest up of Spurs’ central midfielders but could be forced to fall deeper if Wolves play a 3-5-2.
Dele Alli
The Englishman has endured a miserable week both on and off the pitch. With a ban likely, Mourinho could decide to use him up as much as he can while resting others for the midfielder’s absence.
Alli should be motivated to put the events behind him and focus on his tremendous skill on the pitch. Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura have been isolated upfront of late and could do with the 23-year-old’s help.
Steven Bergwijn
The January signing had his worst game in a Spurs shirt against Chelsea. The winger has to step up and try to get into better areas as Spurs will be dependent on him and Moura for any attacking impetus. A big game is needed from the Dutchman.
Lucas Moura
A real hero. Moura plays the thankless role of chasing shadows in an isolated role upfront. The attacker has done his best when played upfront but lacks support from other areas of the team.
He will need to connect with Bergwijn and Alli to coordinate their movements against an organized Wolves side.
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