Tottenham team update and starting lineup for Leipzig
By Gary Pearson
The wait is almost over as Tottenham prepare to host RB Leipzig in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.
Team news
Erik Lamela and Juan Foyth missed the Aston Villa match due to groin injuries and aren’t expected to feature. Harry Kane, Moussa Sissoko and Michel Vorm are still on the long-term injury list. Giovani Lo Celso is healthy again and will crack the starting 11.
Son Heung-Min will miss out as news has surfaces of his fractured arm. He will most likely miss the rest of the season.
Starting 11
Lucas Moura will line up in the most advanced position, akin to the setup against Villa on the weekend. Steven Bergwijn is excelling playing from the left and will look to expose Leipzig’s defence with his long, slaloming runs. Dele Alli will play in his preferred position and Lo Celso, with Son’s injury in mind, will attack from the right.
Moura must be better than he was on the weekend and Dele has to be way more clinical in front of goal. Dele won’t get nearly as many chances against Leipzig as he did against Villa, and needs to make the most of anything that comes his way.
Either Tanguy or Harry Winks will play in the heart of midfield, slightly in front of either Winks or Eric Dier. Back to full confidence, Winks is even showcasing his crossing ability of late.
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Ben Davies is preferred due to his pedigree and experience in this competition. Some will think it’s too soon after recovering from a long-term injury for the Welshman to start in the Champions League. But he looked pretty comfortable on the weekend at Villa and is well suited to get the nod against Leipzig. Japhet Tanganga might be preferred but will probably start on the bench, allowing for a more experienced player to impact proceedings.