---
title: "Spurs predicted XI: Pochettino should bring back Eriksen for North London derby"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/spurs-predicted-xi-pochettino-should-bring-back-eriksen-for-north-london-derby/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Grant McQuillan"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2019-09-01T06:00:28Z"
modified: "2019-09-01T06:00:28Z"
---

# Spurs predicted XI: Pochettino should bring back Eriksen for North London derby

**Tottenham Hotspur endured their first defeat of the Premier League season in a shock 1-0 loss to Newcastle United last weekend, which has given Mauricio Pochettino a real selection problem ahead of the North London derby.**

Spurs left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after the loss to the Magpies with a few question marks still lingering about the Argentine’s team choice.

[Christian Eriksen’s transfer saga](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/aug/27/tottenham-uncertain-christian-eriksen-intentions) has forced switches in the midfield.

So, how will Spurs line-up ahead of the first local derby of the season?

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/lineup-6-1.png)

Harry Kane became the [all-time leading goalscorer in Premier League north London derbies last season](https://www.premierleague.com/news/1085116) – the Englishman has nine goals in nine league matches against the Gunners.

Elsewhere, now that Son Heung-min has returned from suspension, the South Korean is expected to start. The 27-year-old has been vital for Spurs over the last five years, registering 67 goals and 36 assists in that time ([as per transfermarkt.com](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/heung-min-son/leistungsdaten/spieler/91845)).

Erik Lamela has been keeping Eriksen on the bench so far, but the Argentine’s 4/10 rating against Newcastle ([as per football.london](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/fixtures-results/spurs-vs-newcastle-player-ratings-16815140)) could warrant a start for the contract rebel Eriksen.

Although there were no special performances against the Magpies, Moussa Sissoko’s tenacity and assistance for Kane up top [earned him a 7/10](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/fixtures-results/spurs-vs-newcastle-player-ratings-16815140), and with the injury still to [Tanguy Ndombele](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php), the Frenchman will most likely start again, despite [Dele Alli expected](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/08/26/dele-alli-expected-make-tottenham-return-north-london-derby/) to make a return for today’s encounter.

Alongside Sissoko, Winks has controlled things in the centre so far this season and his 94.3% pass accuracy ([as per transfermarkt.com](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/143990/Show/Harry-Winks)) should keep him in the side.

Despite Davinson Sanchez [‘looking all over the place’](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/christian-eriksen-not-tottenham-s-only-problem-7r89vwmq7), according to pundit Tony Cascarino, the Colombian may start again, considering Jan Vertonghen could be a potential option to fill in for Kyle Walker-Peters, [who is on the sidelines](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49463331). Indeed, with Spurs [ready to consider offers](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/08/27/tottenham-manager-mauricio-pochettino-faces-right-back-dilemma/) for Serge Aurier in recent times, perhaps the Belgian will fill in at right-back, having shown he can operate as a full-back in rexent years [(twice in 2018-19 season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jan-vertonghen/leistungsdaten/spieler/43250/plus/0?saison=2018) & [twice in 2017-18 campaign),](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jan-vertonghen/leistungsdaten/spieler/43250/plus/0?saison=2017) even if it was on his favoured left side.