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Tottenham Hotspur projected XI for midweek trip to Burnley

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Harry Kane and Rodrigo Bentancur of Tottenham Hotspur during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 5, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Harry Kane and Rodrigo Bentancur of Tottenham Hotspur during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 5, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur exchange words during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on February 19, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 19: Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur exchange words during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on February 19, 2022, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Projected Defence

Spurs will be back to their more conventional three-person defence after playing with five and at times even seven players across the back against City. And while the number of players committed to playing defence may be different, the personnel is very much the same.

Left centre back -Ben Davies

For the second straight match, Conte should have his top back-line available, including Ben Davies at left centre back. It is quite possible that either in this match or at the weekend against Leeds United we’ll see Davinson Sanchez start. However, given the tactics of the two teams, Davies makes more sense against Burnley and Sanchez will have to live with the bench.

Centre-back – Eric Dier

There is little doubting how much Tottenham missed Eric Dier when he was out with an injury. Back in the line-up against Manchester City, many of the errors that cost Spurs against Wolves and Southampton disappeared. Dier led the line well and kept everyone organized against a stout City attack. Dier should be under considerably less pressure against Burnley and have a chance to show off his passing range.

Right centre back -Cristian Romero

Besides a tough VAR call, Cristian Romero had a good game against City. Avoiding the situations where he found himself out of position in his first games back, Romero is a proper defender. He is a player willing to stick his head in tight spots and is sound in every defensive aspect. As Romero gets his timing back, along with a healthy Dier, Tottenham’s defence will continually improve.

Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris

The win over City was almost a microcosm into Hugo Lloris’s Tottenham career. Largely superb, yet a single error can have a major impact. Fortunately both Lloris and Harry Kane had something to say about the Frenchman’s mishandling and made up for it with big plays. Unless Lloris did injure himself, stretching to deny Ilkay Gundogan, expect him to be leading from the back.