OPINION
Mauricio Pochettino is gearing up for the biggest game of his Tottenham career as his side sit on the brink of dumping Man City out of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Spurs take a 1-0 lead to the Etihad and know that if they score an away goal, Man City will need to score three.
That could well dictate the game and we’re expecting Lucas Moura to get a start after he scored the first hat-trick at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
Fernando Llorente should drop to the bench but his height may prove a valuable weapon if Tottenham need a late goal. Heung-min Son should start alongside Moura – their pace can punish Man City, who will be forced to attack more as the game goes on.
Not letting an early goal in will be key for Spurs and the back-line should start with Hugo Lloris in goal, and Kieran Tripper and Danny Rose on the flanks. Both were rested on Saturday.
In the centre, we’re expecting to see Jan Vertonghen, Toby Aldereweireld and Davinson Sanchez, with Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko in midfield. Harry Winks is a doubt and his absence will be a blow, but Wanyama had a fine game against Huddersfield, scoring his first goal of the season.
Christian Eriksen can provide the vital link between defence and attack, with the two speed-machines up front.
This is the starting XI we expect Pochettino to put his faith in on Wednesday:
