OPINION
Tottenham welcome Man City to their new stadium tonight in the first of a triple-header that will define both teams’ seasons.
Mauricio Pochettino has three players out, with Serge Aurier, Erik Lamela and Eric Dier all injured. Fernando Llorente is back in training after suffering a concussion and missing the Crystal Palace game.
The manager has backed Hugo Lloris through his tough times this season and the captain is expected to take his place in goal for what could be a busy night. We think Poch will opt for a back-four in front of him, with Danny Rose taking his place on the left, Kieran Trippier on the right, and Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld in the middle.
Trippier and Rose in particular will have to be better than they’ve shown recently. Pochettino doesn’t really have any options for the full-back positions but neither player has been on top form recently.
Harry Winks made his return in the Palace game and that’s a big boost for Spurs in the middle – he should start tonight, with Moussa Sissoko alongside and Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli ahead.
Heung-min Son and Harry Kane should be tasked with the front positions, with Lucas Moura available from the bench if needed. Kane hasn’t scored in the new stadium yet and will be desperate to get his name on the score sheet tonight.
This is the starting XI we expect Pochettino to unleash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight:
