Tottenham Hotspur travel to Linz to take on LASK in the penultimate game for Spurs in Group J, we believe José Mourinho will bring this team to take the 3 points.
In the first fixture of the Europa League Group Stage Spurs beat LASK 3-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. That match was the full debut for Carlos Vinicius and Gareth Bale as the Brazilian had two assists and Bale created the third on an own goal. Now, with an opportunity to secure advancement to the knockout stages this is the team we at HotspurHQ think José Mourinho will take and start, and it is headlined by our two Brazilian attackers up front.
Hotspur Forwards
After a successful outing last week against Ludogorets in Europa League, which Vinicius score his first goals for Tottenham, José Mourinho looks to maintain the momentum and brings back the same strong three-man attack he had against Ludogorets.
Lucas Moura (LW)
As Mourinho looks to stretch his squad and get everyone experience, Lucas Moura seems to have landed in the closer role in the Premier League. Moura comes on later in games that Spurs want to hang on too. Additionally, Moura is part of the group of players who starts in Europe. Both roles are mostly down to how much Mourinho trusts the Brazilian. Lucas Moura may not always produce goals, but you know what you will get in terms of effort and attitude and that means a lot in a José Mourinho squad.
Carlos Vinicius (ST)
Part of Moura’s role has been helping his fellow countryman Carlos Vinicius settle in London and with the club. After Carlos scored two goals last week, he then started paying his Brazilian brother back, by assisting Lucas for Spurs fourth goal. That was Vinicius’ third assist on the season for Spurs. After completing his first 90 last week, expect to see the Benfica loanee go for 90 again, as Harry Kane is being saved for the North London Derby.
Gareth Bale (RW)
Gareth Bale is still trying to get his second turn with Tottenham fully on track. Bale has made a few appearances and has contributed a goal and an assist for the team already. However, that signature moment all the fans are looking for has not occurred. Europa League is likely the place we may first see that magic again because until then Premier League minutes may be harder to come by.
Tottenham Midfielders
José Mourinho has been using the Europa League to slowly expand his options with his midfield. Last week he used Tanguy Ndombele in a deeper holding role for half the match and reintegrated Dele Alli back into the line-up. As the Portuguese protagonist continues to search for his best set up options across the pitch, we see more change in the midfield as Mourinho continues to tweak his engine room midweek.
Giovani Lo Celso (CM)
Last week Tanguy Ndombele played for the first hour or so before giving way to Pierre Højbjerg. It was a new role for Ndombele as he had previously only played in the #10 position for Spurs this season. Instead of Ndombele dropping deeper to add a bit more zip to the Tottenham attack Giovani Lo Celso gets a call. After spurning a good chance last against Chelsea, the Argentine must be chomping at the bit to get on the back the pitch and make some amends. Expect a big performance from the midfielder.
Harry Winks (CM)
Harry Winks bossed the midfield much of the game against Ludogorets and will be looking to do the same against LASK. While it is unlikely Winks will score from near midfield again – intentional or not – seeing Winks move the ball quickly, mostly in a vertical direction for the team is what we all want to see. When Winks goes sideways, it slows things down, however, when Harry plays a bit more direct – even at the expense of passing completion percentage – his effectiveness goes up. That needs to continue to get in the weekend team.
Dele Alli (CAM)
Dele Alli was good but not great in his return to the team last week. He unintentionally set up the first goal, then provided a nice assist for Vinicius’ second. While Dele did not hit all the points in his appearance on our five-point plan, he did enough to warrant another runout. It is going to take a series of sustained performances to get back into the team, hopefully Thursday is the second of many big outings to come for Dele.
Tottenham Defense and Keeper
Matt Doherty surprisingly returned last week and should be available again, while we believe that Toby Alderweireld remains unavailable, as does Joe Rodon because he is not on the list. After the successful return of Japhet Tanganga as well last week, do not expect a lot of changes as Mourinho looks to build two solid defensive units within the squad.
Ben Davies (LB)
With Japhet Tanganga back in the side, Ben Davies can return to simply being a left back – for now. Davies played left back last week in Europe and then came on late against Chelsea to help protect the lead. Davies is not a game changer, but he is steady and makes few mistakes overall. Davies needs a strong outing to stay in screaming distance of Sergio Reguilón for the top left back spot.
Japhet Tanganga (CB)
Dele Alli was not the only surprise starter last week, as Japhet Tanganga made a triumphant return to the Tottenham lineup. The young defender had only played once the entire season before going for 90 against Ludogorets. Tanganga looked fresh and alert defensively. With LASK likely to sit deep as well, look for more attacking of the ball and work to simply prevent the offense from getting started with Tanganga and Sanchez in the middle of defense.
Davinson Sanchez (CB)
Davinson Sanchez has been part of quite a few rumors this season. Since surrendering the own goal in the West Ham collapse the Columbian has not been seen in the Premier League squad. With Toby Alderweireld out injured and number limited at center-half in Europe Sanchez must be available midweek and therefore cannot be risked on the weekend right now. That or Mourinho no longer trusts him, either way, Sanchez is needed weekly in Europe.
Matt Doherty (RB)
Doherty was the surprise return starter last week versus Ludogorets, after Aurier played a tough 90 at the weekend against Chelsea, it seems most logical that Matt Doherty gets the runout here. The reality is whoever plays Thursday will not play Saturday and while we think Serge Aurier as nailed down the right back job in the Premier League – for now – you never really know with Mourinho. Doherty has not been as sharp in the last month as he was early in the season and Europe is a good place to regain that confidence and excellence in his game.
Joe Hart (GK)
Joe Hart got a shutout without making a single save last week as Ludogorets failed to register a shot in the match. Hart was replaced by Alfie Whiteman for the last 9 minutes but did what little he had to do for the 81 minutes he played. Expect Hart to be a little busier this week, but not a lot as Tottenham should be trying to keep Joe Hart as clean as possible for 90 minutes.
Tottenham Bench
Tottenham Hotspur have been doing well with the deep bench as José Mourinho has been able to rotate several players in and out of the line-up. Last week against Ludogorets, Mourinho was able to clear the bench so to speak and played several young Spurs. Included in the group was 16-year-old and youngest every Spur to appear Dane Scarlett.
Scarlett is not making the trip this week, but his teammates Harvey White, Dennis Cirkin, and Brandon Austin will. While Austin and Cirkin are not too likely to play, it would be good to see White get another run out. Austin will be joined on the bench by fellow keeper Hugo Lloris who makes the trip just in case. Additionally, Jack Clarke joins the other young players in the side.
Besides the keepers and the kinds, José Mourinho has some real firepower incase of emergency. A few regulars from his core, including talisman Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son make the trip along with his starting midfield of Moussa Sissoko, Pierre Højbjerg, and Tanguy Ndombele. Add in the two fullbacks, Sergio Reguilón and Serge Aurier and you have yourself a full team once over on the bench and a side hopefully ready to see more youth get a run about.
So, there is our call, what do you think?
Line-up (4-2-3-1)
Hart – Doherty – Sanchez – Tanganga – Davies – Lo Celso – Winks – Dele – Bale – Lucas – Vinicius
Bench
Lloris – Austin – Cirkin – Sissoko – Højbjerg – Kane – Son – White – Clarke – Ndombele – Reguilón – Aurier