Fresh and ready to get stuck into the busiest domestic month of the season, Tottenham look forward to hosting Brentford on Thursday.
The postponed match at Burnley, due to blizzard-like conditions and a snow-laden pitch, should be seen as a blessing for Antonio Conte’s side after producing another European lemon in the 2-1 loss to Mura on Thursday.
Even after that abject defeat, optimism fills the north London air in anticipation of playing a newly promoted side that — other than upending Everton 1-0 on Sunday — has struggled of late. The extra rest, in theory, should favour Spurs. Conte will have his game plan meticulously drawn up, while his players should be raring to redeem themselves.
Here’s Conte’s starting 11 for Thursday’s test against the Bees.
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.
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?