As Tottenham Hotspur prepares to face Brighton & Hove Albion for the second time in a month, we know Antonio Conte will be changing his starting XI; here are our projections for Spurs side.
Injuries are something every team has to deal with at this point, although some are more devastating than others. At the turn of the new year, losing Matt Doherty for the rest of the season may not have been a big deal, but his growing influence over the last two months has been a big part of Tottenham’s success.
Conte has to do without Doherty and still without Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga. Here are the 11 Conte is going to start to face Brighton.
Projecting the Tottenham Forwards
We should expect no changes in the front line as this group has been fantastic and seems to improve with each outing.
Right forward – Dejan Kulusevski
With six starts in just nine Premier League starts, Dejan Kulusevski has been incredible since signing from Juventus. Add in his three league goals, and Deki has delivered more than even the most ambitious fan could have expected. Young and intelligent Spurs fans should be excited about this man’s future, starting with his appearance Saturday against Brighton.
Centre-forward – Harry Kane
After leading the league in both goals and assists last season, it was always going to be difficult for Harry Kane to match that kind of production. After the slowest start in his career, Kane has found his form in front of goal and the middle of the park. Kane’s passing has been magnificent, and Spurs have been scoring at will without their talisman finding the net. We should expect Kane to score again soon, and hopefully, it is Saturday afternoon.
Left forward – Heung-min Son
Coming off his first hattrick of the season, Heung-min Son is on fire for Spurs. Quietly closing in on Mo Salah and the scoring lead in the league, Son, has been fantastic of late. It seems like he will finish every opportunity, which is part of what makes those he misses all the tougher to deal with. Not likely to get another three, but hopefully still finding the net for Tottenham.
Tottenham midfield projections
While there are no changes likely for the attacking line, we know there will be changes across the four-man midfield, with Doherty unavailable.
Right wing-back – Emerson Royal
Back in the starting line-up this past weekend, Emerson Royal looked like a player who may have learned a few things while watching Doherty. Royal was not always rushing to move forward with the ball, demonstrating some patience with the ball at his feet. Additionally, his defence was sound, and it will need to be against a Brighton team that seemingly refound itself against Arsenal last weekend.
Central midfield – Pierre Hojbjerg
Comfortable with Rodrigo Bentancur as a running mate, Pierre Hojbjerg has been terrific for Tottenham. Growing in Conte’s system, Hojbjerg has been a consistent outlet for the defence in build-up play, and he works tirelessly off the ball. Playing a bit deeper with Bentancur next to him, Hojbjerg has consistently performed for Conte and the club.
Central midfield – Rodrigo Bentancur
Although Kulusevski gets most of the notoriety given his goals and assists, arguably, the addition of Bentancur has been as crucial for Tottenham. Bentancur’s consistent performances have kept Harry Winks on the bench despite the prolonged absence of Skipp from the team. Bentancur has shown an eye for a searing pass, s never one to shy away from a tackle, and is like a conductor orchestrating players around the pitch.
Left wing-back – Ryan Sessegnon
If not for his injury, likely, Doherty would again be starting on the left with Royal back in Conte’s good graces. However, Doherty is not available, so Conte is going with Sergio Reguilon or Ryan Sessegnon. Although Reguilon got the call to replace Doherty against Villa when he got injured, our thought is that Ryan Sessegnon is getting the call against Brighton. A big reason for this call is the opposition, which is likely Tariq Lamptey. Sessegnon is a defence first wing-back versus Reguilon, who is more attack-minded. With the need for defensive stability paramount, expect Sessegnon to get the nod.
Projecting Spurs Defence
Fortunately, like the attacking line for Tottenham, Spurs’ defence has been a solid unit that is not facing any new injuries, meaning we should expect a familiar group defending Spurs’ goal.
Right-back – Cristian Romero
Tackles were flying in last weekend as the Villa players were doing their best Steven Gerrard impersonations. However, from Spurs’ side, it was Cristian Romero, again and again, putting on a defensive clinic demonstrating how to win tackles with minimal contact. Romero exudes class on and off the ball, a player with a fierce drive to succeed; he is someone to build the entire defence around.
Center-back – Eric Dier
Eric Dier did not have the best passing day against Villa last weekend. However, his early longball that bounced to Kane and eventually Son for the opening goal was significant. Dier’s first job is being steady on the ball, and his second is keeping the line in order. With Brighton sporting a new formation that emphasizes the midfielders running in, Dier will have to keep the team organized defensively.
Left-back – Ben Davies
Ben Davies hardly played a foot wrong against Villa, as the Welshman was solid with his passing and did his part defensively. At home as a left-back, Davies is one of the real success stories under Conte with his steady play.
Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris
After an incredible day last weekend, Hugo Lloris will be looking to get consecutive clean sheets, both against Brighton and in League play. Brighton has been inconsistent finishing this season but is capable of scoring in bunches. Spurs will again need a good day from Lloris, just hopefully not quite as big of a day as the one he had against Villa.
Full Tottenham XI and Substitutes Bench
Only one injury forced change for Tottenham as they face Brighton on Saturday afternoon.
Tottenham substitutes
Just as the starting line-up has become entirely predictable for Tottenham, so has the substitutes bench. Pierluigi Gollini is the backup for Lloris, while Joe Rodon and Davinson Sanchez provide additional defensive cover. Reguilon is the backup wing-back, with Sessegnon getting the call.
Harvey White and Harry Winks provide depth in the midfield, while Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn are covering for the front three. That gives us eight for the bench, and with Doherty out, likely Dane Scarlett is again back with the senior team.
Tottenham Starting XI
Lloris – Davies – Dier – Romero – Sessegnon – Hojbjerg – Bentancur – Royal – Son – Kane – Kulusevski
Tottenham Substitutes
Gollini – Rodon – Sanchez – Reguilon – White – Winks – Moura – Bergwijn – Scarlett
That is our twenty players to make the team and start; who do you think will play?