Tottenham Hotspur are set to face Wolves this weekend in what is scheduled to be a late kick-off. The games continue to come thick and fast as we see Thomas Frank’s Lilywhites taking the field almost every three days.
And this is where the Dane head coach will be tested. Does he go all armoured in the first half and try to kill the game and go on to rest key players for the Champions League game or go a bit light and rest a player or two?
This is where the debate starts in pubs around N17, and we will give our two cents by trying to predict the possible lineup for the North Londoners when they take on Wolves this Saturday.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup vs Wolves
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
Vicario has been impressive this season. We have seen how he has been calm with the ball at his feet and busy and also astute with his reflexes. He will continue to be the starting man between the sticks come tomorrow.
Defence: Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven, Destiny Udogie
Porro continues on that right defensive flank. He will have more opportunities to go on his forward runs given how Wolves are expected to sit deep and take up some sustained possession from Tottenham. The Lilywhites will need his overlapping runs to stretch the back three and possibly open up some half spaces for Kudus.
Porro will have Romero to his side. The North Londoners’ skipper will be tested, given how he will be duelling with Arokodare. The Argentine will need to ensure that he doesn’t give any space to the Wolves striker given how rapid he is and how good he is on the finishing side of things. Micky Van de Ven makes up the heart of defence alongside Romero as one of the better centre-back duos in the league. We did see Micky on the score sheet not too long ago, and he would be looking to grab another to his name if a chance comes by from set-piece play.
Udogie is expected to return to the starting eleven after being rotated in the EFL Cup. We should see some of those forward drives from him.
Midfield: Pape Matar Sarr, Joao Palhinha, Lucas Bergvall
Sarr has been very integral when he plays under Thomas Frank. And he will again be so playing in a box-to-box role for the hosts. And then having Palhinha with him gives that steel to the North Londoners’ second phase. Having the Portuguese midfielder helps Sarr to progress the play and take a few risks. And it also helps give Bergvall that licence to roam forward.
Lucas Bergvall has added this ability to make runs from deep in the box, which has added more dynamism to the Lilywhites’ attack. He will again be tasked to get better at a compact structure tomorrow, given how the visitors are expected to sit in a compact structure.
Forward: Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson
Tottenham marquee signing Kudus continues on that right flank. He has been a menace every time he has been on the ball for the North Londoners. Thomas Frank will be looking at him again to get the better of compact structures. He has the capacity to force things, and that is exactly what he would need to do against Wolves.
Given his brilliant run of games coming into tomorrow’s fixture, Richy continues in that #9 role. Despite Solanke and Muani being expected to be available, the Brazilian deserves to keep his place. And given his tally of six PL goals against Wolves (his joint-best tally vs any opponent), it just adds to the ‘whys’ for his start.
Frank has been praising Johnson quite highly lately. And he takes up that left flank role over Simons, who could be on the bench again given the fact that Tottenham have a midweek Champions League game.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup vs Wolves (4-3-3): Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Pape Matar Sarr, Joao Palhinha, Lucas Bergvall; Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson