Tottenham Hotspur host PFC Ludogorets 1945 in Europa League on Thursday, with an opportunity to seize control of the group, this is who Mourinho is likely to play.
Tottenham Hotspur beat Ludogorets relatively comfortably last time out in Europa League. The 3-1 victory probably should have been more, but Tottenham were not nearly as clinical as they have been in some other matches this season. When that game started, Spurs were second in the four-team group, now as they prepare to play again, Tottenham are first and looking to solidify their position and secure advancement as soon as possible. With one eye on advancement and another on Chelsea at the weekend here is the line-up we think Jose Mourinho will deploy on Thursday.
Tottenham Defense and Keeper
With Toby Alderweireld out injured and Matt Doherty still out from a positive Covid test, Spurs are a bit thin on the defensive side of the ball, even more so if Japhet Tanganga is still not yet available, which we simply do not know yet. We are assuming all three Doherty, Alderweireld, and Tanganga are out and this is what we have left for cover.
Sergio Reguilón (LB)
Ideally Sergio Reguilon would have the night off with the pacey and productive Chelsea attack in just a few more days. However, given the state of the defense, it is likely easier to have Reguilon go for a few straight games than Eric Dier. So Reguilon gets the nod at left back to Ben Davies can play center-half and Eric Dier can get a rest. Frankly the Spaniard is already the number one choice at left back for Spurs but if he can rest some midweek, we are all for that.
Ben Davies (CB)
With no Joe Rodon in Europe and now no Toby Aldeweireld – at least for a bit – Spurs do not have a lot of choice here. IF Japhet Tanganga is healthy and ready, we could see Tanganga getting a start at center-half and Davies to work as the left back, however, until we know Tanganga is back, it is difficult to project that. So Davies plays center-half for the third time this season, in what is becoming a refrain in Europe.
Davinson Sanchez (CB)
Davinson Sanchez has not played a lot of late, last appearing in the 0-1 loss to Royal Antwerp. Sanchez has had his ups and downs on and off the pitch of late. Sanchez had the joy of becoming a father followed by the agony of the worst loss in Columbian football history. Hopefully at this point Sanchez is somewhat rested and focused and ready to go as Spurs really need him.
Serge Aurier (RB)
With Doherty likely still out in isolation, we again see Serge Aurier start. This position, like the left-sided center-half is another possibility for a healthy Japhet Tanganga. If Doherty is going to be out through the weekend, it is possible that Aurier gets a rest midweek and Tanganga gets the call playing right back. That really depends on the health of a lot of people we know little about at this point. However, what we do know is absent the injured and sick, we have Serge Aurier who has been playing very well all season.
Joe Hart (GK)
Hugo Lloris is starting to get on a role, but Joe Hart gets another opportunity between the sticks. Hart seems to be a good teammate and the consummate professional. After a tough week for France and a tough game versus City, Lloris could use the rest before Chelsea. This gives us all the chance to hear a little more of Joe Hart’s booming voice.
Tottenham Midfielders
Pierre Højbjerg seems to play every game whether he is really needed or not. There is no real reason to think that will change here, the only question is if he plays the first half or the second and how else plays in the midfield around him. It was Sissoko for the full 90 at the weekend with Tanguy and Gio splitting time in the attacking central midfield.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (CM)
Pierre Højbjerg played a strong 90 minutes against Manchester City. Given the game plan and approach of Spurs, Højbjerg could do a bit less defensively as he had more support. It is likely that will not be the case on Thursday as players look to push up the pitch and get on the score sheet. Højbjerg is likely to only play a half so likely the first as Spurs try to take command. Hopefully, he is not needed for anything more than 45 minutes and some other players get some run out.
Harry Winks (CM)
Apparently, Harry Winks has been concerned about playing time, but he gets plenty in Europe. While he wants more time in the Premier League, Winks has been the one true fixture in the midfield throughout the Group stages. Winks has started the previous three matches with Højbjerg, Sissoko, and Lo Celso next to him. Our thought is Winks starts again here and if he wants more time in the Premier League he does it by earning it in Europe.
Giovani Lo Celso (CAM)
Giovani Lo Celso gets the start after scoring the second goal against City on the weekend. Lo Celso and Ndombele have been taking turns in the #10 role, but Ndombele is going to be saved for Chelsea on Sunday, so Lo Celso gets at least a half here. Gio has been getting back both his confidence and match fitness and it is starting to show in the games and on the score sheet with a goal in his last game after a couple assists for Argentina. Lo Celso is starting to get a hot hand, it might be time to ride it.
Hotspur Forwards
We see changes from the off from the team that last faced Ludogorets as we get a heavy dose of midweek rotation. Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son both played extremely hard this past weekend against City and will be available for as needed duty only on Thursday. With that in mind, here is the offense.
Steven Bergwijn (LW)
Steven Bergwijn played an effective, if not flashy role in the victory over Manchester City on Saturday. Bergwijn did as much defensively helping to control and limit Kevin De Bruyne as he did offensively. While the stats on neither end popped, his effort and drive sure did. As such Bergwijn is going to be rewarded with a start in Europe and chance to flex his offensive muscles that were intentionally held back some against City. If you have been waiting for a Bergwijn breakout, this game might be it.
Carlos Vinicius (ST)
Speaking of breaking out, it would be great to see Carlos Vinicius break out. After Harry Kane had his 300th appearance and 200th goal in the last match against Ludogorets, Kane will likely have to wait for his next goal and appearance. Carlos Vinicius on the other hand has already been patiently waiting for his chance to break in with the squad. While he has made a couple appearances, the impact he can have is much more than we have seen. Hopefully Vinicius is settling and we see him start to break through on the pitch.
Gareth Bale (RW)
After a game and half for Wales Gareth Bale was unused substitute against Manchester City. There is little doubt had the score been reversed and Spurs were down instead of up, it would have been Gareth Bale and not Lucas Moura coming on for Bergwijn for the last 20 minutes. Instead, Tottenham were winning and wanted to keep the pressure up, which meant Moura got the nod. For Ludogorets it is Bale for at least a half, as Mourinho tries to have the Welsh wonder at full strength for Chelsea and the schedule ahead.
Tottenham Bench
Tottenham will again have a deep bench and it might be completely unfair in terms of numbers in comparison to Ludogorets if the rumors about the loss of players to Covid-19 is true. However, Tottenham does not make the rules, they just have to play by them, so Jose Mourinho has a deep, strong, and varied bench.
Of course Hugo Lloris is on the Bench with Joe Hart starting and he is joined with Japhet Tanganga, Eric Dier, and Dennis Cirkin for the defense. If you think that seems thin, it is because it is thin with Alderweireld out and Rodon ineligible. That is four, and there are just as many midfielders and attackers available as well. This is still a day or two too soon for Eric Lamela, but he will hopefully be fit for Chelsea.
Moussa Sissoko, Harvey White, Tanguy Ndombele, and Dele Alli all represent the midfield on the bench. With Lucas Moura, Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, and Jacke Clarke for extra offensive firepower. The hope would be players like Clarke, Cirkin, and White would get some playing time, but I think we have said that before and it has yet to happen. It is great to be on the bench for experience, but even better to be on the pitch gaining it, maybe this week.
So that is our team, do you think this is what Jose will do? How would you set up Spurs?