Match-ups that are going to decide Tottenham vs Wolves

By Aaron Coe | May 16, 2021

Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg gestures during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 7, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney / 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. / (Photo by JULIAN FINNEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Tottenham wingers vs Wolves Fullbacks

For much of the season, Nuno Espirito Santo has preferred a three-man backline for Wolves, deploying a three-man formation more than 20 times in the league. However, over the last several weeks as Santo has been breaking in some younger players he has gone to a four-man defense.

Rayan Ait-Nouri and Ki-Jana Hoever, both just 19-years-old, both started the last game for Wolves in the win over Brighton. Ait-Nouri has more or less claimed the right-back role, starting six straight since the start of April. Hoever has not gotten the same kind of playing time but could again get a run-out given the injuries at Wolverhampton.

Tottenham needs to dominate on the flanks

Regardless of who plays on the left opposite Ait-Nouri, both backs should have their hands full with the Tottenham wingers. There has been a greater effort to get some wing play under Ryan Mason and with Heung-Min Son and potentially Gareth Bale – Tottenham are in a position to exploit the young backs.

We know Bale dominates lesser opposition and Son has been picking up steam. If the Spurs can get the ball out wide and get their wings in some space, it might be a long day for the young defenders.