Tottenham Hotspur projected XI for trip to Palace in the Premier League

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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 29, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

When Tottenham Hotspur takes on Crystal Palace Saturday afternoon at Selhurst Park, some Spurs will be out forcing changes in Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad and our projected XI.

Given injuries and player quarantines Tottenham Hotspur could have as many as five new players in the XI from the team that defeated Watford a fortnight ago. Despite missing some players, Tottenham is unlikely to deviate from the 4-3-3 formation they have been working on, which provides defensive solidity and numbers in attack.

With up to five changes in the side from the last outing, we need to see who is out.

Whose out for Tottenham Hotspur

We know for a fact that at least four players are out, two of which started against Watford. Heung-Min Son has a cafe injury, which is something beyond being hurt for a day or two. We still await full diagnosis but we know he is out of contention for Saturday.

Besides Son at left-wing/forward, Tottenham will have to replace Davinson Sanchez at center-half. Sanchez played two matches for Colombia during the international period and is now in Croatia, effectively under quarantine.

Likewise, while not starters right now, both Giovani Lo Celso and Sanchez’s presumed competition Cristian Romero are also in Croatia. Having served with Argentina the two now have to meet the health requirements in the UK to return, just like Sanchez.

Several potential injuries for Tottenham

If the Spurs are only down two players, that will not be so bad, however, there could be more changes in the line-up. It is uncertain as to the health of either Steven Bergwijn or Oliver Skipp. While neither is in the out status of Son, both left their last international matches early.

Skipp was at practice on Friday based on photos released by the team, it was unclear if Bergwijn was.

The fifth change would potentially be at right-back if Japhet Tanganga is pushed inside to cover for Sanchez, then Emerson Royal or Matt Doherty would come in making a fifth possible change to the Spurs line-up from the one that shutout Watford.

Given the state of things, here is the team we think Nuno Espirito Santo is going to send out Saturday afternoon in south London.