Tottenham: Conte must unleash Lucas Moura

Tottenham Hotspur are again in motion on Wednesday night time at house to Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon, with Antonio Conte’s aspect nonetheless having all of it to do to safe their place within the subsequent spherical of the Champions League.

The north Londoners are presently top of Group D having picked up seven factors from their opening 4 group video games, though with solely three factors separating the Premier League aspect and backside membership Eintracht Frankfurt, it’s prone to go all the way down to the wire by way of who will progress.

The Lilywhites head into the conflict in opposition to Ruben Amorim’s aspect having misplaced their final two top-flight video games, struggling a 2-0 defeat away to Manchester United at Previous Trafford in midweek earlier than slipping up at house to Newcastle United on Sunday.

That latter consequence noticed the hosts in the end undone by first-half strikes from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron, with a Harry Kane header after the interval unable to spark a late rally in opposition to Eddie Howe’s aspect.

That irritating loss to the Magpies did see forgotten man Lucas Moura make arguably his most telling involvement of the season thus far, although, with the Brazil worldwide that includes off the bench for the ultimate 24 minutes, having solely been involved sporadically in latest months.

Niggling injuries have decreased the 30-year-old to a bit-part function thus far this time period, though it can probably be pleasing to see the fleet-footed ahead working his means again to full health having now featured as an alternative in every of the previous three league video games.

The £13.5m-rated ace unsurprisingly seemed considerably ‘rusty‘ on the weekend – in accordance with soccer.london’s Alasdair Gold – however he did make his presence felt in that cameo outing after successful six of his ten duels, whereas additionally making an attempt three dribbles.

Though it stays to be seen if the 35-cap Brazilian can begin tomorrow night time’s conflict – with Conte suggesting that he must “check” on the participant’s health – it may effectively be definitely worth the gamble to thrust the diminutive ace into the fray, significantly amid the shortage of attacking choices at current.

The injury absence of each Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison has seen the previous Chelsea boss compelled to deploy a 3-5-2 formation in latest video games, however that method has seemingly not been fruitful, with an additional attacking physique wanted alongside Heung-min Son and Harry Kane.

In Moura, the Italian may effectively unleash an asset who can present one thing “different” – within the phrases of Glenn Hoddle – on account of his capacity to run with the ball and in addition chip in with a telling goalscoring contact when wanted.

The £90k-per-week dynamo – who has 65 aim contributions to his title in 208 Spurs appearances to this point – is yet to start a match this time period having beforehand been linked with an exit over the summer time, though now may effectively be his likelihood to shine.

A person who is aware of all about being the hero on Champions League nights – following that hat trick in opposition to Ajax a couple of years in the past – Moura may show himself the difference-maker but once more for Tottenham if Conte unleashes him right here.