Tottenham Hotspur projected XI for big trip to Leeds United

By Aaron Coe | May 7, 2021

Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his team's third goal and his hatrick goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 2, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: (l-r) Sergio Reguilon, Toby Alderweireld, Pierre-Emile Hoejbjerg and Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate (Photo by Paul Childs – Pool/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Projected Defensive Starters

Ryan Mason sticks with the back four that he has been using. Rather than the continued rotation that was seen under Jose Mourinho, Mason just goes with what he has been seeing success with.

Reguilón – Left-back

At the start of the season, Sergio Reguilón looked destined to be bought back by Real Madrid for a hefty profit. However, as the season has progressed, Reguilón’s play has come down a few notches. Willing to play with an almost reckless abandon – not dissimilar to Danny Rose – Reguilón has missed a few games to injury. All that said, an ongoing injury to Ben Davies keeps Reguilón on the side. With Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling roaming the Leeds right flank, Reguilón is going to be a busy man.

Dier – Left-center back

Eric Dier again seems to have some new life under Ryan Mason. Dier can be a solid back when he is not under pressure for 90 minutes. Eric is no Virgil Van Dijk but he is typically a heady player who is willing to put his body on the line. Given his overall play under Mason, there is just no reason to make a change.

Alderweireld – Right-center back

Just as Dier has been solid, so too has Toby Alderweireld under Ryan Mason. The big Belgian has been back to looking for the long ball and playing with good timing defensively. With the movement that Patrick Bamford is going to bring to the pitch, having Alderweireld’s leadership and steadying hand will really help.

Aurier – Right-back

Matt Doherty was back on the bench in the last match, however, had Gareth Bale not scored his third for the hat-trick, it might have been Serge Aurier who was the man of the match. Aurier was interested and engaged last weekend laying on two assists for Bale. His play offensively was great and he did not put a foot out defensively. Like the other three players, just no reason to make a change back here.

Lloris – Goalkeeper

Captain Hugo Lloris was another Spur who had a nice match against Sheffield. Lloris made the big saves when needed – as he was not asked to make a dozen. Hugo also showed confidence in the box with a couple of big claims and a nice cross-cutout. More games like last weekend are the path to getting Hugo to extend his deal at N17.