All change for Tottenham FA Cup fifth round match against Rochdale

After the euphoria felt in Turin on Tuesday, it’s time again for Mauricio Pochettino to rotate his squad against Rochdale on Sunday.

Now that Spurs are fully fit, expect an almost entirely different starting XI for their trip to the League One side on Sunday. Rochdale, who are rock bottom in League One, are struggling mightily. They have 25 points from 28 matches, a perilous situation heading into the business end of the season.

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Expect Pochettino to show Spurs’ strength in depth by resting most, if not all, of the team who left Turin with a slight advantage going into the return leg at Wembley on March 7.

There are a few question marks about who Pochettino will decide to call upon in the adverse conditions associated with Rochdale’s pitch. Freshly sanded and in a state of disrepair, the playing surface is inferior to what Tottenham experienced at Newport. That causes the away side a litany of concerns, not least of which the increased likelihood of injury.

Danny Rose should get the nod on the left side of defence, but Kyle Walker-Peters is also a viable option for the gaffer. I expect Serge Aurier to start on the right, evidence of an invariable demotion. If he hasn’t recovered from the gruelling midweek contest, Kieran Trippier will suit up.

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Harry Winks isn’t used to playing in an advanced midfield role and may switch responsibilities with Moussa Sissoko, who is bound to start for this type of fixture.

Lucas Moura should get his first full debut, Spurs’ latest signing only seeing a few minutes in a cameo role in Turin on Tuesday. Toby Alderweireld has another “easier” outing to work on his match fitness, though concerns mount about the Belgian playing on such a derelict pitch.

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Hamstrings are substantially more vulnerable on hard, battered playing surfaces so there are incumbent feelings of uneasiness in the lead up to the match.

While it will be more like a run on the beach than a walk in the park, expect the Lilywhites to advance to the quarterfinals by way of a 2-0 win over a Rochdale, a side on the brink of being demoted to League Two.