Mourinho will start Eriksen on Tuesday: Predicted Tottenham lineup

Tottenham should only need a point at home against Olympiacos, but Jose Mourinho will line his team up expecting nothing short of victory. 

If proceedings go Spurs way in Belgrade between Red Star and Bayern Munich, Mourinho’s side will qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a draw on Tuesday. Mourinho, however, will not be satisfied with a share of the spoils on his home debut, his Tottenham Champions League coronation.

But the Portuguese manager knows better than to chase victory recklessly or vaingloriously. He should employ two defensive centre midfielders to adequately protect Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sánchez.

Mourinho is unsure if Eriksen’s head is in the right place, but a home match against Olympiacos is the perfect way to find out. The Greek side will allow Spurs time on the ball, a perfect recipe for Eriksen’s introduction under Mourinho. Also, the Dane will have ample offensive support in a triangle around him, ensuring Eriksen is at no point isolated.

Additionally, Harry Winks and Eric Dier will seal up any holes when Olympiacos counters, or is in possession. Creating that insolation will allow Eriksen to hopefully prove to the team and his new manager that he can still have a positive impact at the top level.

If Eriksen doesn’t start, expect Giovani Lo Celso to get his first kick of the can under Mourinho. Lo Celso starting in place of Son or Dele is incredibly unlikely given the importance of the match. Dier or Winks might be rested for Moussa Sissoko but I don’t think Mourinho will want to tinker too much with a winning formula so early in his tenure.

I doubt Mourinho will risk starting both Ryan Sessegnon and Juan Foyth in unison on such an important occasion, so expect Danny Rose to get the nod on the left.

Injury updates

Ben Davies limped off late in yesterday’s win and will be evaluated today. Rest assured, he won’t play on Tuesday night. Tanguy Ndombele and Erik Lamela are all still on the final stages of their respective rehabilitations. Ndombele is doubtful and so too is Lamela.

Jan Vertonghen is recovering well from his hamstring injury but won’t play a part on Tuesday night. He might be available for Bournemouth on Saturday and will start training with the first team on Monday.

Don’t expect any of the aforementioned walking wounded to start on Tuesday.