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Predicted starting lineup for Tottenham at RB Leipzig

By Gary Pearson

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham have a chance to prove almost everyone wrong as they travel to RB Leipzig looking to overturn a first leg deficit in the Champions League round of 16 tie. 

Tottenham’s starting 11

Jose Mourinho conservatively approached the Burnley match yesterday to give some of his top players a much needed rest in the lead up to Tuesday’s return leg. His plan was slightly disrupted by having to bring on Lucas Moura and Giovani Lo Celso at halftime in the 1-1 draw.

However, Jose rested Ben Davies for the duration of yesterday’s outing and only had to call on Serge Aurier for a cameo appearance. Steven Bergwijn limped off the pitch at Turf Moor, so his status is unknown for Tuesday’s all important match. If he has any chance of playing, rest assured the Dutchman will be selected in the first team. Though with the short turnaround he has a race against time to recover.

I hope Mourinho decides to go with a back four rather than lining up with three centre backs across the rearguard. The latter has proven unfruitful every time it’s been employed, with the team looking confused and unorganized. They are unable to get the wing backs forward in that formation, and are often hemmed in their own third for extended periods. That system involuntarily turns into a back five, which hampers Tottenham severely.

Option 2

If Bergwijn is unavailable for selection, expect Dier to slot into midfield, allowing Lo Celso to play in a more advanced position.

That would allow Davinson Sánchez, even though he endured a miserable performance against Burnley, to slip in beside Toby at the back. This option might be preferred, particularly when considering how short Spurs are in midfield.