Projected starting 11 for Tottenham vs Brentford
By Gary Pearson
Tottenham’s projected 11 vs Brentford
I don’t think I’ll earn any bonus points for correctly predicting Conte’s first 11. Spurs starting side was announced prior to the Burnley match being called off, so the Italian gaffer will probably go back to the same side that didn’t get a chance to play on Sunday.
There is a slight chance the gaffer will have a change of heart in defence, preferring to start Japhet Tanganga instead of Davinson Sanchez.
Even if Spurs hadn’t announced their starting lineup in advance of the postponed Burnley fixture, it’s not as if Conte’s lineup would have been any more difficult to predict. The maestro, after arriving on the scene less than a month ago, has seen enough to know who is favourites are.
And, after giving Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele, Bryan Gil, Matt Doherty, Ryan Sessegnon and Joe Rodon the opportunity to impress, all of whom failed miserably, you can see why Conte, for top flight encounters, goes back to his reliable well.
Next. Player ratings from 2-1 loss to Mura. dark
All of the aforementioned fringe players, especially after last Thursday’s performance in Slovenia, are, aside from Gil, on the chopping block. Add to that list Harry Winks, Steven Bergwijn, Giovanni Lo Celso and one of his starters, Davinson Sanchez.
That might be a bit harsh in Rodon’s case, but Conte, who doesn’t accept anything short of elite, isn’t one to compromise his standards.
Who would you select for Thursday’s home encounter?