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Tottenham team news and starting 11 for FA Cup tie at Southampton

By Gary Pearson

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Tottenham manage José Mourinho looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 22, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Tottenham manage José Mourinho looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 22, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Saturday at St. Mary’s offers Tottenham a golden opportunity to wipe the slate clean and show the world not all is as bad as it currently seems at the club. 

Whether they take that opportunity is another thing entirely. The fourth round tie at Southampton is another case of an in-form home team versus a team shrouded in adversity. But anything can happen in the FA Cup, as Spurs look to advance to the fifth round.

Team news

Hugo Lloris and Harry Winks switch places, with the Englishman devastatingly hobbling onto the injured list. The severity of his ankle injury is as of yet unknown, but he will assuredly miss a few weeks. Ben Davies is nearing his anticipated return while Tanguy Ndombele is expected to be available for contention any day now.

Starting 11

Who knows how Jose Mourinho will line his team up for this intriguing encounter. Lucas Moura is favoured to start up front again, though I would love to see Troy Parrott get his opportunity. That is an unlikely outcome considering Mourinho’s emphatically risk-averse nature.

Dele Alli once again starts in attacking midfield and is supported by Son Heung-Min and Gedson Fernandes. Spurs’ new addition doesn’t usually play in such an advanced position, but this allows him to get a chance to showcase his skill set in a competitive away match from the off. Giovani Lo Celso is playing extremely well, so his place, unless Mourinho is concerned about potential tiredness or injury, is all but guaranteed.

Spurs - Football tactics and formations
Spurs - Football tactics and formations /

Eric Dier takes Winks’ place in the holding role while Tanguy Ndombele gets in one more week of much-needed recovery time. Ryan Sessegnon loses his starting spot due to a poor performance against Norwich, potentially freeing up space for Japhet Tanganga. If Tanganga starts, Serge Aurier will get a rest he truly deserves after playing almost relentlessly since Mourinho’s arrival.

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Toby’s presence is always required as the focal point of the side’s rearguard while Sanchez gets his chance to improve his position on Mourinho’s pecking order. If Aurier is rested, Toby should start on the left. If Toby is rested, expect Aurier to get the nod. Spurs can ill-afford to have both veterans missing from the first 11.