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Tottenham Hotspur Projected XI vs Fulham on Sunday

By Aaron Coe

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Jesus Perez, Assistant Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (R) looks on prior to the FA Cup Third Round match between Tranmere Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur at Prenton Park on January 4, 2019 in Birkenhead, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Jesus Perez, Assistant Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (R) looks on prior to the FA Cup Third Round match between Tranmere Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur at Prenton Park on January 4, 2019 in Birkenhead, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham Hotspur head into Craven Cottage to face Fulham FC shorthanded. How will Mauricio Pochettino set up Spurs to face the Cottagers on Sunday afternoon?

From one perspective things are going very well for Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs just got their first midweek break of the year, they are still playing on four fronts, and they sit third in the Premier League. Alternatively, the teams leading scorer– Harry Kane– just got seriously injured, the second leading scorer– Heung Min Son– is on international duty, and the third leading scorer– Lucas Moura– is coming off injury.

In the background of the ups and downs of the team’s success and player availability, the January transfer window trudges on. Of course, Spurs have not acquired a player via transfer since Moura last January and the recently healthy again Moussa Dembele has been sold on to China. With the odds of Spurs bringing in more players on transfer from the outside seemingly diminishing by the day the team heads into across London for a derby with Fulham.

So how will Spurs line-up to face Fulham in what– like every match the rest of the season in league– is a must-win.

Spurs Defensively

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur, Toby Alderweireld and Serge Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur collide with Mauro Icardi of Inter Milan during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Internazionale at Wembley Stadium on November 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur, Toby Alderweireld and Serge Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur collide with Mauro Icardi of Inter Milan during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Internazionale at Wembley Stadium on November 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Tottenham’s healthiest unit at the moment is defense where all of the first team players are fit and available for Fulham. Balancing this unit over the next month to get the best performances possible, while keeping everyone happy, fit, and effective will be key for Spurs as they may be scoring fewer goals.

Spurs stick to a 4-4-2 on paper and have Danny Rose, Jan Vertonghen, Davison Sanchez, and Serge Aurier across the back-line. I see Fulham as a good opportunity to give Alderweireld the evening off so he is fully fit and fresh for Chelsea midweek. Alternatively, Vertonghen and Sanchez could use the work, as they have both had spells out this season stretching the back line.

Given the fitness of the defense, expect the bench to be littered with defenders as Juan Foyth, Ben Davies, Kieran Trippier, and Alderweireld are all healthy. Regardless of who is on, expect all eight defenders to be dressed for the game. Even so, Spurs may punish Serge Aurier for his issue last week.

Hugo Lloris will be in goal again and Paulo Gazzaniga, who may start midweek in the Carabao Cup, will back him up. All told 10 of the 18 players dressed will be defenders or keepers. Such is life at Tottenham right now, as the midfield and attacking units have limited availability.