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.
Tottenham Starting Forwards
Tottenham is going to stick with a front three as we have seen during the previous Premier League matches. However, only four matches into the campaign it may be that after Sunday, not one forward for Tottenham will have started all four games. With Son out and Bergwijn possibly out, expect some changes and possibly some new blood.
Left forward: Bryan Gil
A 20-year old who just joined Tottenham this summer from Sevilla in an exchange for Erik Lamela and cash was always going to get an opportunity this season. It seemed unlikely that opportunity would come this soon, however, injuries happen and Bryan should be ready. Fresh off some wonderful performances for Spain’s under-21 team, Bryan will bring his motor and some creativity to the game. Potentially slipping into a #10 role as well as playing wide, expect Bryan to be involved.
Center forward: Harry Kane
Harry Kane has yet to score in the Premier League this season however, in Europe, whether, for Tottenham or the Three Lions, Kane has been on fire. Look for Harry Kane to find space between Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi who are still getting used to playing together. With the two wide forwards able to take some of the deeper work off Kane’s plate he should get to spend a good deal of his day in the box looking for service.
Right forward: Lucas Moura
With Son and Bergwijn both out, Lucas Moura is back in the starting XI. Moura started the first two matches of the season but was dropped in the Watford match for Kane. Lucas has looked good at times in this brief season, finding the ball deep and then driving forward with the dribble. It is likely Palace start 22-year old Tyrick Mitchell at left fullback, who will be making his fourth ever Premier League start. This may be a nice opportunity for Lucas.
Tottenham Projected Midfield
Tottenham will stick with what has worked thus far which is a three-man midfield. Essentially in a triangle with the deepest player in the middle and either two side midfielders pushing up the pitch to support the attack. So far, this has given the Spurs some punch and plenty of protection, and that should continue against Palace.
Left midfielder: Dele Alli
Dele Alli has started the first three matches for Tottenham and there is no reason to think he will not be starting again. Presumably, Giovani Lo Celso should be pushing Dele for time but he is not available for selection. Dele is going to have extra defensive duties on Saturday with Wilfried Zaha likely on his side as well as Connor Gallagher. How well Dele can track Gallagher and vice versa is likely to have a big impact on the match. Just at Gallagher is dangerous in the box so too is Dele, it is just about timing, Saturday will test whose timing is best.
Center midfielder: Oliver Skipp
There were some questions about whether or not Oliver Skipp would be able to go on Saturday after leaving the England U-21 match early with groin issues. Given Skipp’s participation in practice on Friday, it seems likely the academy product will be ready to go. Skipp has shown excellent timing defensively and an adequate range of passing. Both will be needed and potentially could be used to exploit Palace.
Right midfielder: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
Pierre Hojbjerg has started this season much like he started last season, phenomenally. However, unlike last season, Højbjerg has actually been subbed off the pitch and even left at home for matches already. If the Viking can maintain his fitness and health he looks set for just a monster year all-around on both ends of the pitch. His ability to recover the ball will be key and his growing eye for a big pass should lead to some success for Tottenham.
Spurs Defensive Four and Keeper
Defensively Tottenham has a back four and does not make as many changes as we think they might. Regardless of which direction Santo goes, he is likely to be giving someone their season debut, the question is if it is their Tottenham debut as well.
Left fullback: Sergio Reguilón
Much like Højbjerg, Sergio Reguilón started last season fast and then faded down the stretch. And like the Dane, Reguilón has likewise started this season well earning a re-call to the Spanish national team. Reguilón will have his hands full defensively with Wilfried Zaha on his side in Patrick Vieira‘s scheme. With Zaha, Gallagher, and Joel Ward on his side, Sergio is going to have to stay alert and be vocal when he needs help. Look for some interception opportunities for Sergio as Palace try to force balls toward Zaha.
Left Center-half: Eric Dier
Eric Dier has performed so well this season he was up for Premier League player of the month. While he has not yet earned a recall to the English team, he has settled the cries for finding his replacement. While the team clearly needs a left-footed center-half, like the case with Sanchez and Romero, the position is not just being handed over. Dier is a good leader and will need to be with Zaha looking to target big Christian Benteke in the middle.
Right Center-half: Joe Rodon
While it would be very tempting to push Japhet Tanganga inside and start Emerson. Maybe Selhurst Park for a London derby is not the optimal time to do so. Instead, despite not having any match minutes in the tank yet this year, Santo opts for Rodon to partner with Dier. Joe Rodon provides a more physical presence that Tanganga can and will be part of the rotation at center-half, so he might as well start playing.
Right fullback: Japhet Tanganga
The other benefit of not moving Japhet Tanganga into the center-half position is leaving the young fullback at fullback. Jordan Ayew is crafty but Tanganga will have some opportunities to get forward. With the ball likely to spend a lot of time on Tottenham’s left with Zaha and Gallagher, Tanganga will have to stay alert and should be able to help pin Palace in their own half.
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris and France finally got back on track in their World Cup qualifying and as such Lloris is coming off a shutout against Finland. Likewise in the Premier League Lloris is now coming off of three shutouts. Tottenham is capable of another shutout and with the right gameplan can do so. That game plan ideally limits big chances for Palace and asks Hugo to make that one or maybe two big saves. With rumors of a new contract in the offing for the captain, another big game would be timely.
Tottenham Bench
With some players out and three new starters from the Watford match based on our prediction, we again see some youth on the bench as well as the return of some big names.
We anticipate that Tanguy Ndombele will be on the bench for the first time this season given the limitations in the midfield. Ndombele will be particularly important given the lack of any other real firepower – proven – available as Dane Scarlett and Jack Clark both make the team with Bergwijn and Son out, as does Nile John.
Those youngsters will be joined by new signing Emerson, as well as veterans Harry Winks, Matt Doherty, and Ben Davies. Pierluigi Gollini is the backup keeper.
Full side
4-3-3
Lloris, Reguilon, Dier, Rodon, Tanganga, Dele, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Bryan, Kane, Lucas
Substitutes
Gollini, Doherty, Davies, Emerson, Winks, Ndombele, John, Clarke, Scarlett