With Leicester’s draw to West Ham on Sunday, Spurs fans here inside the Football Transfer Tavern are desperate for three points, as they travel to Stoke City tonight.
The Potters are historically a good side at home as they’ve managed to beat Manchester City and Manchester United this year at the Britannia.
It’s a match that Pochettino’s side should win, but won’t necessarily be easy.
Spurs have not beaten Stoke the last three times they’ve face the Potters with two losses last season and a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane back in August.
A win here would put Tottenham just five point back of Leicester, but in order to do that, Pochettino has to play the most effective starting XI for a road win at the Britannia.
Because of Stoke’s inconsistent form and 4-1 loss to Liverpool last week, look for Mark Hughes to send out a different XI than we’ve seen in the past.
Here’s a look at who should take the pitch tonight if the northern Londoner want to see three points…..
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 4-2-3-1 TEAM!
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Keeper: Hugo Lloris
No surprise here, Lloris has established himself as one of the Premier League’s elite shot stoppers and worn played the captain role well.
The Frenchman is simply pivotal to Mauricio Pochettino’s side, and he’s made a plethora of excellent saves for Spurs this season – that have ultimately kept them in the hunt for the Premier League title.
Back Four
RB Kyle Walker,
CB Toby Alderweireld
CB Jan Vertonghen
LB Danny Rose
There was some speculation here in the Tavern that young Aussie Kevin Wimmer might start over Vertonghen given his recent form, but last week’s 3-0 route over United proved the Belgian was fit to play.
Danny Rose may have been Spurs’ best player against the Red Devils as he played a crucial role in sending the attack forward.
The punters here in the Tavern are looking for this defence to give a similar performance against an inconsistent Potters attack.
Holding Midfielders:
Eric Dier
Mousa Dembele
This duo has been one of the best holding midfield pairs this season in the Premier League.
After signing from Fulham in 2012 to replace Luka Modric, Dembele struggled a bit until forming great chemistry with Dier this campaign and his played a crucial role in Spurs success.
Attacking Midfielders:
CAM Dele Alli
LW Christian Eriksen
RW Erik Lamela
This trio was not a dominant against United as they had been in games past.
Dele Alli was in the midst of one of his worst Spurs outings until he netted the first goal.
The same went for Eriksen and Lamela, who each were kept quiet until both tallying assists and Lamela with a goal as well.
They should find their consistent form against a weaker Stoke side.
Forward:
Harry Kane
No doubt about this one, the Player of the Year candidate has a chance to make his case against Stoke tonight
. A few goals definitely wouldn’t hurt his chances seeing how the Leicester trio was not able to stand out on Sunday.
