Despite coming off their first campaign defeat, we do not expect many changes to the Tottenham Hotspur starting XI, as reflected in our projected XI.
Tottenham Hotspur let one slip away midweek in Lisbon, Portugal, concerning two goals at the death. Conceding two goals at the death may have been the right wake-up call for a Spurs team facing a Leicester City squad that has lost five straight but had Spurs beaten until injury time last season. Regardless, we expect the players hearing that bell to be many of the same ones who capitulated late the last time out.
Tottenham Projected Defense
Spurs will stick with their three-man back-line, despite some fans and maybe even a pundit or two calling for a back four. The one change we expect to see here is the continued rotation at left-back.
Left-back – Clement Lenglet
Ben Davies started and played a full 90-minutes while Clement Lenglet was an unused substitute against Sporting in the Champions League. Last weekend against Fulham in the Premier League, it was the exact opposite, with Lenglet playing the entire match. We anticipate Conte to flip back to Lenglet, who has acclimated into the squad and adds more of a passing threat than Ben Davies.
Center-back – Eric Dier
The England call-up, Eric Dier, will lead the back-line for Tottenham on Saturday. Dier has played well this season, but that does not mean he has not been beaten. Rather, Dier is a steady influence in the back that serves as a key ingredient in the passing game. Expect that to continue against Leicester, with Dier likely to get an assist on an over-the-top long-ball.
Right-back – Cristian Romero
Arguably, Davinson Sanchez has had the better start to the season, and if you watch Cristian Romero play, you have to wonder if the Argentine is still carrying an injury. That said, Romero’s game is a big part of the Tottenham game plan, and his work between the middle and attacking third is critical in breaking up counterattacks.
Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris
After giving up two goals, a casual observer might think Hugo Lloris did not play well against Sporting Lisbon midweek. However, those who watched the game know that Lloris was as big a reason the game stayed scoreless for 90 minutes as was his counterpart Adan on the other end. Hugo was having a great day with a couple of world-class saves on the day, including one immediately preceding the corner kick goal until he wasn’t. There is no reason to think he is not starting against Leicester.
Tottenham Midfield Projections
Maybe the area of the pitch where fans likely want to see the most change is the midfield. Emerson Royal and Pierre Hojbjerg have drawn the ire of fans for their performances against Sporting, but we anticipate both will again start on Saturday.
Left wing-back – Ryan Sessegnon
Like Lenglet, Ryan Sessegnon started in the last Premier League match, not Ivan Perisic, who has started both Champions League games. We are projecting that rotation on the left to continue, with Sessegnon continuing to get minutes, having earned them with his play thus far this season.
Central-midfield – Pierre Hojbjerg
There is no doubt that Pierre Hojbjerg has had better games for Tottenham than his performance in Portugal. However, Hojbjerg has had an excellent start to the season outside of Tuesday. Hojbjerg has been more progressive with his passing than in past years, has popped up in the box to score, and has not lost anything in defensive contributions. The Dane is allowed to have a poor outing from time to time, as they are few and far between. Now the continual complaints to the officials are a different story…
Central Midfield – Rodrigo Bentancur
Another player who was not at the top of their game against Sport, Rodrigo Bentancur, is almost assuredly going to start again. Bentancur’s only previous absence this season was injury related – after suffering a blow to his head – and in his pre-game press conference, Conte referenced that we would see more of both Yves Bissouma and Oliver Skipp after the international break. In other words, expect to see Bentancur on Saturday next to Hojbjerg.
Right wing-back – Emerson Royal
Maybe the brunt of more fan criticism than any other player since he arrived at N17, Emerson Royal will again be the right wing-back for Tottenham on Saturday to face the Foxes. Royal was fatigued at the end of the Sporting game, but that was from a serious shift from box-to-box up the wing. And after receiving a ringing endorsement from Conte in the press conference, there is no reason to believe a change is forthcoming.
Tottenham Starting Forwards
The other area where many fans are expecting changes is across the front three, as the hot hand of Dejan Kulusevski needs to be played, while the cold start of Heung-min Son has to end.
Left-forward – Richarlison
With Son finally not starting, Richarlison will begin the game at left-forward, the most natural position from his time at Everton. Expect Ricci to move across all three positions in the front line but be primarily on the left, looking to leverage the defensive attention Sessegnon should draw.
Center forward – Harry Kane
Although Conte said no one was undroppable at his presser, there is little reason to expect Harry Kane not to start. Although he is scoreless in the Champions League, Kane has been hot in the league with his five goals, including one last weekend against Fulham. Historically, Kane has feasted on the Foxes, and we should expect that to continue on Saturday.
Right-forward – Dejan Kulusevski
After being seemingly hard done by not starting the last three matches, Dejan Kulusevski is back on the team. Kulusevski brings something different than Richarlison or Son, who rely more on pace than skill like Kulusevski. Dekki can still stretch the pitch and is the most adept of the three wide forwards at getting to the end line and putting in a cross. Hopefully, the Swede’s hand has not cooled, having played sparingly in the last three matches.