In the final game of the initial Group Stage matchups, Tottenham Hotspur travel to Bulgaria for a meeting with Ludogorets, so besides Bale, who gets the nod for Spurs?
Tottenham Hotspur currently sit second in their Europa League Group after two games, ahead of LASK – who Spurs beat on matchday 1 – on goal differential. After falling to Antwerp last week, this game with Ludogorets takes on additional meaning as Tottenham face the only winless team in the group.
With a Premier League match on Sunday and then a break before starting a rough November/December stretch, three points are a must for Tottenham. The attack is likely to look like what was fielded last week in the loss against Antwerp, but the midfield trying to supply the ball will look a bit different.
Jose Mourinho is still working to determine combinations that will work for his scheme, both defensively and offensively across the midfield. As we have noted previously here at HotspurHQ, the midfield is still a bit heavy on attack and light on the box-to-box and defensive side of things. With that in mind, Jose Mourinho tries yet another combination to find an alternative to playing Pierre-Emile Højbjerg into the ground.
The defense unit and keeper position is likely to see some rotation as Jose continues to work players back from injury and tries to keep everyone involved in the team in a meaningful way. Finally, the bench has a bit of everyone as Europa League affords Jose the ultimate flexibility of 12 players on the pine. Of course, this matters little too many of Spurs opponents who often do not have the numbers to field a second side. Nevertheless Spurs do have the depth so, who does Jose Mourinho trust with Spurs European fate potentially on the line?
Tottenham Forwards
Steven Bergwijn (LW)
Bergwijn was again left out of the Premier League squad for the second week in a row. While people make a fuss over Dele not getting selected, you do not hear much about Bergwijn. Stevie – like several others – seems to have struggled a bit this year with his health and fitness, so he needs these outings to work his way into Premier League contention. Spurs need Bergwijn to perform, Thursday is his chance.
Carlos Vinicius (ST)
We predicted Carlos Vinicius would make the bench on the weekend at Brighton, however Vinicius was not on the bench. Given Vinicius was hooked at the half, it could be that he starts on the bench here. But we at HotspurHQ think he will get another chance to play at least the first half, it not longer in Bulgaria. Given another week of practice to bed with the side, expect to see more of Vinicius’ talents on display this week.
Gareth Bale (RW)
In speaking about his attacker after the Brighton win, Jose Mourinho came straight out and said Gareth Bale would start again in Europa League. His games in Europe are part of the overall regime to get Bale back up to full speed so he can be one of the difference makers for Tottenham this season. Mourinho indicated “Gary” may or may not play 90 minutes, but he would start, so who are we to disagree with the Special One?
Tottenham Midfielders
Giovanni Lo Celso (CM)
Much like Bale and Bergwijn, Giovani Lo Celso is working his way back into playing shape having had a limited preseason. Whereas Bale arrived late, Lo Celso has simply struggled since the campaign began with nagging injuries which have simply kept him unavailable. It seems Lo Celso may have those behind him and is now working his way up to full fitness. No better way to build that fitness than play a game in the deep pivot, so Lo Celso gets the nod.
Moussa Sissoko CM)
While we all love Pierre Højbjerg, he already leads the field players in minutes and should be only available in emergencies for this one. Instead, Moussa Sissoko can do some heavy lifting alongside Lo Celso and help to cover the back end. Sissoko has been the deepest of the midfielders much of the campaign and it would make sense for that to be the case here too.
Dele Alli (CAM)
Dele Alli is not done in a Tottenham jersey, or at least we sure hope not, as he has a role to play. The issue is that role is in a position where right now Tanguy Ndombele is better but if you are going to play Dele, it must be further up the pitch. With a couple weeks working with Bergwijn, Vinicius, and Bale on the training ground, Dele has a great opportunity to grab a place in the squad with a solid performance or continue to slip further into oblivion with the team and fall permanently behind Erik Lamela in the pecking order.
Spurs Goalkeeper and defenders
Joe Hart (GK)
Joe Hart has not played since his shutout two weeks ago in the first round of Europa League matches. With a break coming, that would likely mean more than a month between matches for the back-up, which just is not great practice. Hart gets the nod and likely does not have a ton to do beyond be heard all over the pitch.
Serge Aurier (RB)
Doherty played at the weekend after Aurier was in the team last week in Europe. After missing the bench entirely, the last two weeks in the Premier League it is quite likely that again Serge goes 90 midweek. Given the rigors and demands put on the fullbacks neither player has locked down the position, so Serge gets his chance to call it his own midweek.
Davinson Sanchez (CB)
Davinson Sanchez seems to be on a rotation with Toby Alderweireld, having sat out the last two Premier League matches entirely as the Belgian got the nod. Sanchez will again get the start at the right-sided center-half position, where he is most comfortable and most effective. Given the high likelihood someone among the center-half group will be injured at some point a rotation makes the most sense.
Eric Dier (CB)
Dier again played 90 in the Premier League, but unlike last week, he is now two weeks removed from his injury return and is ready to go again here. In the ideal world Japhet Tanganga would get to play, but it is still unclear when that might happen. Ben Davies has gotten the start here each of the last two weeks, with the options limited with Tanganga out and Rodon ineligible. Like Dier goes as Davies goes to his natural position and both Toby and Sergio Reguilón are available from the bench.
Ben Davies (LB)
Sure we could again see Ben Davies at left center-half, but he moves back to his more natural left back position as Sergio Reguilón is given the night off. Ideally Reguilón is unneeded and can rest. Davies only played a closing role against Brighton, whereas Reguilón put in a full shift. Until Dennis Cirkin emerges or Ryan Sessegnon returns, it is hard to envision Davies making the permanent shift to center back, yet as the load on Reguilón would just be too much.
Tottenham Bench
This part is fun for us at HotspurHQ, so it must be fun for Jose Mourinho too. It is the opportunity to pick both the players you need to support your side strategically as well as pick the players you hope will get a chance to play and gain some experience. The best of both worlds indeed.
After going with three goalkeepers in week 1 and just two last week, Mourinho again sticks with just two keepers and has Hugo Lloris backing up Joe Hart. This leaves room for 11 field players, which can provide cover and emergency support and a few fellas we are just all hoping to get to play.
Regulars Toby Alderweireld, Sergio Reguilón, and Matt Doherty provide defensive cover. Unless one of the regulars is out, there is not room for young Dennis Cirkin on this night. For the midfield Harry Winks, Pierre Højbjerg, and Harvey White give options for the two holding slots and Erik Lamela is available for coming in for Dele. That leaves three of the regular attack, Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, and Lucas Moura to round off the bench along with youthful winger Jack Clare.
Not sure we can call it a deep bench so much as just a deep team that can bring a lot of people. Either way, Spurs have cover if needed, but hopefully opportunity for some of the young boys. What do you think does Jose bring more regulars in to play with Bale or do we continue to see a rotated side?
Line-up (4-2-3-1)
Hart – Aurier – Sanchez – Dier – Davies – Lo Celso – Sissoko – Dele – Bale – Bergwijn – Vinicius
Bench
Lloris – Winks – Alderweireld – Højbjerg – Reguilón – Doherty – Kane – Son – Lucas – White – Clarke – Lamela