Tottenham projected starting 11 for Manchester City tilt
By Gary Pearson
Defence
Dier will return to the starting team and lines up beside Cristian Romero and Ben Davies. Having Dier back is a massive plus for Conte, who has seen Sanchez’s form take a nosedive in recent weeks.
It’s not the best match for Dier’s return, but he will be helped along by Romero, who has been the best of an otherwise vulnerable rearguard in recent weeks. Davies has also endured a rough patch and will have to enjoy a miraculous rebound performance for Spurs to surprise City.
Midfield
Oliver Skipp is still struggling to recoup from his groin injury and didn’t attend training yesterday. He most likely won’t be available. Hopefully he makes enough progress to feature in Wednesday’s match at Burnley, but we’ll find out more in the coming days.
Harry Winks misses out if Conte decides to yet again go with his preferred 3-4-3. However, there is a chance Conte, to get a better handle on the middle of the park, will opt for a 3-5-2 formation.
In a 3-4-3, Pierre Hojbjerg comes back into the team alongside Rodrigo Bentancur. If Sergio Reguilon is fit, he’ll start on the left with Emerson Royal getting a chance to redeem himself after a woeful encounter against Southampton.
Reguilon was missing in training yesterday and might not be available, though Conte hasn’t yet mentioned anything to that effect. He should clarify things in his press conference this morning.
If he isn’t good to go, Ryan Sessegnon will come in on the left, an incredibly worrying prospect against a rampant City side.
Forwards and Formation
Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura start up front. The Brazilian struggled mightily against Wolves and might, if Conte decides to go with a 3-5-2 instead, be resigned to a seat on the bench.