How Tottenham Hotspur will line-up against Marseille in UCL
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham Hotspur plays their first Champions League game in three years; so how will Antonio Conte line up his Spurs side against Olympique de Marseille?
It has been some 911 days in the making, but Spurs are finally back in the Champions League, hosting Olympic de Marseille at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The last time the Lilywhites were in Europe’s top club competition, the team was limping out to RB Leipzig, and the world did not yet know what Covid or lockdowns were, back on 10 March 2020. Three seasons and three coaches later, Tottenham has returned and needs a big result at home. This is the team we think Conte will use to get that result.
Tottenham front line to face Marseille
The one thing we do know is that Spurs are going to run with three players across the attacking band. Further, with Lucas Moura still unavailable, there are only four legitimate choices for those three positions, making the big question, who does not start?
Left-forward – Richarlison
After putting in a man of the match performance in his first Tottenham start, Conte looks to ride his hot hand. However, after starting Richarlison at the right-forward position this past weekend, the Brazilian is at his favored left-forward position to face Marseille. We think Conte gives regular starter Heung-min Son a little rest ahead of Manchester City, one of his favorite opponents, and rewards Richarlison for some fantastic play.
Center-forward – Harry Kane
With five goals in six matches, Harry Kane is off to a great start to the season, which he will be looking to continue against Marseille. The good news for Spurs fans is that historically speaking, the run Kane is currently on in the League, with a goal in 83% of the games, is the same rate he scores in the Champions League with 20 goals in 24 career games. We should look for Kane to be at his best against Les Phoceens.
Right-forward – Dejan Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski started Tottenham’s first five matches but came off the bench against Fulham, as Richarlison started on the right. We believe Dekki will be back in the starting XI against Marseille as Tottenham will be looking to open up the match with the Swede’s ball-carrying ability.