On the latest episode of the Last Word on Spurs podcast, Ricky Sacks, Jamie Brown, Abbi Summers, and guest Aaron Paul discussed the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Friday night, as well as looking forward to the game against West Ham on Tuesday night.
During the show, the quartet discussed who they think might start for Jose Mourinho’s side against West Ham on Tuesday night.
The North London club are looking to end a run of seven games without a win, whilst the Hammers are also in poor form, having won just two Premier League games in 2020 (per Sky Sports).
The Lilywhites welcome back Dele Alli, who missed the game against Manchester United after serving a one-match suspension, whilst Lucas Moura could also return to the side after Mourinho confirmed he had recovered from the knock that kept him out of Friday’s fixture.
Here’s how Summers expects Spurs to line up against David Moyes’ side on Tuesday night:
“I think he will actually stick with the Dier-Sanchez partnership at the back and obviously I think Dele will come straight in.”
TIF Thoughts…
The Dier and Sanchez partnership did, arguably, work well on Friday night, as, although they earned 6.43 and 6.46 ratings respectively, they were able to nullify the threat of both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, with the two United attackers earning 6.35 and 6.18 ratings for their respective performances (per WhoScored).
However, Mourinho has tended to favour Toby Alderweireld throughout the course of the season, with the Belgian defender having started 27 games in the Premier League so far this season, so it would also perhaps not be a surprise to see him return to the starting eleven.
Do you think Alli and Moura will start against West Ham?
Yes
No
In terms of Alli and Moura returning to the side, the argument could certainly be made that both could start against the Hammers.
Alli – who is valued at £57.6 million (as per Transfermarkt) – has contributed eight goals in the top-flight so far this season so would perhaps add more of an attacking threat in Spurs’ midfield.
And, although Moura is back fit and has started 18 times in the Premier League so far this season, he would presumably replace Steven Bergwijn on the right-wing if he were to start, and it would perhaps be difficult to drop the Dutchman after his goal on Friday night, so it would not be surprising to see the Brazilian on the bench on Tuesday.