Tottenham Hotspur have come into this week high on spirits, after Chelsea’s Premier League defeat to Manchester United saw the Blues’ advantage at the top of the table slip to just four points.
The Lilywhites have excelled this season under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino and will be confident of inflicting further damage on Chelsea’s campaign this weekend, as the two London giants battle-it-out at Wembley for a spot in the FA Cup final.
Whilst Chelsea have been the pacesetters in the Premier League for the majority of the campaign, their form has dipped in recent weeks and the Blues have experienced defeats against Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
That’s left fans in the Transfer Tavern confident of a positive outcome for the North London outfit this weekend and our landlord has put them down as winners in his weekend accumulator, although he believes team selection will be significant.
Sitting with the Spurs punters at the bar, he’s scribbled down a devastating looking 4-2-3-1 formation for this weekend’s tie that can emerge successful in this huge battle.
GK: Hugo Lloris
Tottenham’s 30-year-old captain is widely regarded to be the best goalkeeper within English football and his stats this season have certainly helped him cement that claim, as he’s been an ever-present figure in the strongest defence in the Premier League this season.
The French international has not played in the FA Cup so far this season, with Michel Vorm instead occupying the spot between the sticks, but it’s likely that Mauricio Pochettino will utilise his first-choice goalkeeper against Chelsea.
RB: Kyle Walker
Another player who’s arguably the best in his position in the division, Kyle Walker has been an ever-present figure for Mauricio Pochettino’s side this season and his role this weekend is crucial, as he has to deal with Chelsea’s wingers and their flying full-backs.
Whilst that will test the England international, Walker has excelled this season and has a talented line ahead of him. With his electric pace, Tottenham could utilise Walker as an asset going forward- as long as they’re careful not to open themselves up for a counter-attack.
CB: Jan Vertonghen
One-half of Tottenham’s superb central Belgian pairing, Jan Vertonghen has stood out as one of the best signings in recent windows and his signature did not break the bank. He’s kept his spot for two of Spurs’ FA Cup games this season, last featuring in the 6-0 drubbing of Millwall.
Vertonghen and the Spurs defence will certainly be tested by Chelsea’s dangerous attacking line this weekend but they’ve shown enough about them this season to suggest they can counter any threat that the Blues provide.
CB: Toby Alderweireld
The other-half of Spurs’ central pairing, Toby Alderweireld has shone since moving to Tottenham Hotspur from Atletico Madrid and his partnership with compatriot Jan Vertonghen sees the two Belgians stand as the best defensive pairing in English football.
Both will be tested this weekend but Alderweireld, with his vast experience a top-notch ability, should be capable of keeping the likes of Eden Hazard and Diego Costa quiet- especially as the latter has been struggling recently.
LB: Ben Davies
With Danny Rose out injured, and unlikely to return for the FA Cup semi-final, Welsh youngster Ben Davies will continue at left-back in what’s set to be a stern challenge for him- as he’ll face off against World Cup winner Pedro Rodriguez.
The versatile 23-year-old has seen opportunities limited this season but games against the likes of Chelsea are where he can stake a claim for more regular openings- and the door for a consistent spot in Spurs’ line-up has been left open with the consistent speculation surrounding Rose’s future.
CM: Victor Wanyama
Returning from injury off the bench for the weekend victory over Bournemouth, Kenyan ace Victor Wanyama should return to the starting line-up this weekend in place of Eric Dier, who’ll have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes.
Wanyama’s involvement in the FA Cup semi-final is crucial as he’ll go toe-to-toe with Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, in a midfield battle that is likely to decide the outcome of the match. Wanyama has excelled in his debut season with Spurs but this is another test of his abilities.
CM: Mousa Dembele
An unsung hero in Tottenham’s side, Belgian ace Mousa Dembele has been crucial to the performances of Mauricio Pochettino’s side this season and his involvement at the weekend will be as important as Wanyama’s alongside him.
Should Chelsea line-up with Cesc Fabregas, Dembele will have to ensure the Spaniard’s influence in attack is quelled, whilst he can expect a stern midfield battle if Nemanja Matic is selected by Antonio Conte.
Whatever the Chelsea line-up, Dembele will look to make an impact at both ends of the field.
RW: Son Heung-Min
After starting the season in excellent form, Son Heung-Min’s Spurs performances dropped in the middle section of the campaign. Fortunately for the Lilywhite’s though, the Korean winger has rekindled the best of his ability.
Son enters the FA Cup weekend on the back of five goals in his last four games and he’ll be full of confidence having netted a hat-trick against Millwall in the last round. Expect him and Eden Hazard to stand out as match-winners.
CAM: Dele Alli
Last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year, and likely to retain his crown this term, Dele Alli is widely regarded to be one of the best young players in world football. He still has a lot to prove though and the FA Cup semi-final is an occasion where he’ll need to stand out.
The best players flourish in these important clashes and Dele will play a huge part in Spurs’ quest to end a long wait for success. Having started the season slowly, the 21-year-old has been flying in the past few months.
Like Son, Alli enters the FA Cup weekend enjoying a purple patch of form- where he’s scored six goals and secured four assists in his last nine games across all competitions.
LW: Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen may not grab the headlines as much as Alexis Sanchez, Eden Hazard or other star midfielders in the Premier League do but the Danish international is a crucial part of Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Eriksen came under fire in previous stages of the campaign but he’s another player who prepares for the FA Cup semi-finals on the back of electric form, as he’s scored four goals and secured seven assists in his last nine Spurs games.
That run includes two assists in the 6-0 FA Cup drubbing over Millwall, where he also found the back of the net.
ST: Harry Kane
Returning from injury at a crucial stage of the season, Harry Kane was reinstated into Spurs’ starting line-up for the victory over Bournemouth, where he scored and provided an assist, and will now be set for a starring role at Wembley.
Kane boasts 27 goals this season for club and country, including two in the FA Cup, and will be expected to break the 30-goal mark by the end of the campaign. With 25 of those strikes coming in Spurs colours, he could hit that figure at club-level alone.
