After a forced extended rest due to the shameful postponement of the North London derby, Tottenham ready themselves for a stern test at Leicester on Wednesday.
Speaking of postponed matches, Tottenham gets set for a match at the King Power Stadium after it was originally suspended due to Covid-19. Spurs are still waiting confirmation of when the Burnley (inclement weather), Brighton (Covid-19) and Arsenal (running for the hills) matches will be played.
Cristian Romero is making excellent progress but won’t be fit for tomorrow’s encounter. It’s unlikely we’ll see Sergio Reguilon, who is even closer to a return than his Argentinian teammate. He probably won’t be risked considering the importance of having him healthy for the run-in.
Eric Dier’s status is, at this point, still unknown. He certainly won’t be risked if he’s not 100 percent. Son Heung-min is out for another two weeks after suffering a comparatively minor muscle injury against Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup. Steven Bergwijn is also facing a late fitness test.
Tottenham projected starting 11 for trip to Leicester
Defence
Conte’s first choice defensive contingent is well known by now. The only question is whether Dier will be ready to start. If not, expect Davinson Sanchez to move into the middle with Japhet Tanganga on the right side of the back three.
That trio, with Ben Davies in his customary left-sided role, hasn’t worked too well in previous matches, as Japhet has struggled mightily in the last three fixtures, including two against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and an even more disappointing outing against lowly Morecambe FC in the FA Cup.
Midfield
Other than Reguilon, who probably won’t win the race to be fit, Conte has a full complement of midfielders to select from, though his tried and tested duo in midfield will take the reigns.
Both Oliver Skipp and Pierre Hojbjerg are fit and raring to get back on the pitch for the team’s first Premier League match since beating Wolves on New Year’s Day.
Sessegnon returns to the first team and will be looking to impress his manager after enduring some time on the sidelines through yet another injury. He did make a cameo appearance off the bench against Chelsea in the second leg of the Carabao Cup, but will be elated to make Conte’s Premier League team sheet. Emerson Royal takes his rightful place on the other side.
Forwards and Formation
Conte’s headache brought on by the dilemma of who to play up front in Son’s absence is not waning. He gave Giovani Lo Celso a shot against Chelsea, but the experiment failed to take flight. Tanguy Ndombele has been completely exiled, while Bryan Gil, who might be sent out on loan, has also failed to impress.
That leaves either Dele Alli, Steven Bergwijn or, yes, Lo Celso yet again…
If Conte decides to go with Dele, look for a slightly altered the formation, like the one he went with against Liverpool, allowing the Englishman to patrol his preferred space, as a conventional No. 10. That would leave Moura and Kane in more advanced positions. Though if Conte doubts Alli can be a reliable fulcrum, Moura will be forced to drop deeper to receive, pivot and run at Leicester’s backline.
The other option sees Lo Celso get another chance to redeem himself, though his passing has been discernibly subpar of late. His future at Spurs is as uncertain as Steven Bergwijn’s, Conte’s final option in attack. Rumours are swirling about Lo Celso and Bergwijn’s futures, with both players squarely on Conte’s chopping block. Lo Celso’s inclusion is more likely than Bergwijn’s, who is also facing a late fitness test.