It’s time for Spurs to stand up and be counted this weekend as they head into another crunch London derby licking their wounds from their Champions League fixture in the week.
The Lilywhites crashed out of the competition to Monaco with a pretty poor performance to go with it and our resident Spurs fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping that does not impede on a huge tie with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The two sides do not like each other, that much was clear from this fixture last season as the Blues ended their rivals title challenge in ferocious style.
Spurs will have revenge on their mind, then, but with the west London side looking in much better shape than last year they have to be careful.
The Lilywhites have an unbeaten run to look after but Antonio Conte’s men will be desperate to end that so we could be in for an absolute classic between the two sides.
Mauricio Pochettino will want to prove that resting players against Monaco was the right thing to do with a win here and our landlord reckons he has to play this line-up for them to get the result…
GK: Hugo Lloris
He’s world class and has to start for Spurs.
He was the only one that could hold his head up from their Champions League campaign and will have to be on it against Chelsea at the Bridge from the get-go.
RB: Kyle Walker
Walker was rested against Monaco so must come back in the side.
He was neutralised badly by West Ham last Saturday and so he needs to bounce back and prove himself against the Blues.
CB: Kevin Wimmer
Toby Alderweireld is injured so Kevin Wimmer will probably play again.
There are question marks over whether the Austrian is good enough to play for Spurs so he’ll want to show he is against the league leaders.
CB: Eric Dier
Danny Rose is suspended and Ben Davies is injured so a defensive shuffle is due with Dier at centre back.
He’s played here before, though, so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue for Spurs to deal with.
LB: Jan Vertonghen
No Rose or Davies means Vertonghen will have to step in down the left.
The Belgian plays here for the national team so should be able to adapt and will be tasked with keeping things tight for a makeshift Spurs defence.
CDM: Mousa Dembele
Dembele is class and Spurs need a virtuoso performance from him here.
The midfielder’s performance could dictate the direction of the match and he’ll have to make sure he stops N’Golo Kante from hustling and bustling about in the Blues’ central area.
CDM: Victor Wanyama
The Kenyan has impressed so far and will have to be on his game to enforce himself on Chelsea’s midfielders.
Put bluntly, the former Southampton man needs to be at his destructive best.
RAM: Heung-Min Son
Son’s gone off the boil in recent weeks and so needs to rediscover his previous good form quickly.
The wideman looked like he’d finally cracked Premier League football and so now he needs to show that wasn’t a flash in the pan.
CAM: Dele Alli
It’s time for Alli to get back in the side and help Spurs find their rhythm.
The former MK Dons man has suffered with injuries recently but has made cameo appearances from the bench so now it’s time ‘Poch’ throws him back into the big time.
LAM: Christian Eriksen
The former Ajax man has gone missing this season and he needs to prove himself quickly.
The fans are starting to get on his back this season and he, most of all, needs to get back amongst the goals and assists for Spurs.
ST: Harry Kane
Spurs always have a chance with Kane in the side and will look to use him as much as possible.
Chelsea haven’t conceded in six Premier League games so the England man will want to prove he is the one good enough to smash that record up.
Agree Spurs fans? Let us know below…
