Spurs: Predicted XI for Sporting clash

Tottenham Hotspur can seal their place within the knockout phases of the Champions League with victory over Sporting Lisbon this night, albeit with Antonio Conte’s aspect having slipped to a 2-0 defeat when the 2 sides met earlier this season.

That conflict away in Portugal notably noticed diminutive starlet Marcus Edwards catch the attention in opposition to his former membership, as Ruben Amorim’s males produced late heroics to clinch a surprising victory, scoring twice on the demise to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Lilywhites.

That consequence set the tone for what has been a combined group stage journey for the north Londoners to date, having solely narrowly edged previous ten-man Eintracht Frankfurt following an underwhelming show of their final European outing.

In what’s a fiercely aggressive group, Spurs are totally conscious that any slip-up might doubtlessly show pricey, as they bid to achieve the final 16 for the first time for the reason that 2019/20 season.

Forward of tonight’s crunch encounter, right here’s how we at Soccer FanCast predict that the house aspect will line up…

Conte has been dealt a blow forward of this important assembly with each Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison nonetheless unavailable, whereas doubts stay concerning the health of Pierre-Emile Hojberg and Cristian Romero after the pair’s absence in opposition to Newcastle United on Sunday.

With that in thoughts, we predict that there might be four alterations from the aspect that fell to a 2-1 defeat on the weekend, with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris set to maintain his place regardless of his function in each objectives in opposition to the Magpies.

Amid the doubts over Romero, the one change within the backline might see Ben Davies begin forward of Clement Lenglet, whereas on the flanks Ivan Perisic and Djed Spence might are available in for Ryan Sessegnon and Emerson Royal, respectively.

The latter man produced a “dreadful” show in opposition to Eddie Howe’s aspect, in response to journalist Josh Bunting, having continued to underwhelm at N17 after “struggling” in his debut marketing campaign final time period, as per pundit Alex McLeish.

In midfield, a return to a 3-4-3 formation might see academy gem Oliver Skipp make manner, with uncertainty over the aforementioned Hojberg set to Yves Bissouma associate Rodrigo Bentancur within the centre of the park, with the previous Juventus man having been a shining mild final outing.

A shake-up in assault might see Harry Kane and Heung-min Son joined by Brazilian speedster Lucas Moura, with the “phenomenal” asset – as described by pundit Paul Robinson – in line for a first start of the marketing campaign after stepping up his return from harm in current weeks.