Tottenham Hotspur hosts Portsmouth in the third round of the FA Cup Saturday at lunchtime; this is the team Conte should start for the cup clash.
Having just recovered all their players from the World Cup and having had time to work with a number of his squad players, Antonio Conte should lean into his rotation on Saturday to face Pompey at home. With the opportunities to break in more of his squad diminishing, Conte has to leverage this opportunity.
Several Spurs are still out, injured
Several players, including Rodrigo Bentancur, Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Lucas Moura, will not return for this game. This means the squad is thin, and Conte can take one of two approaches.
One approach could be to play all his stars like Harry Kane and Heung-min Son from the beginning, hoping to win the game early and bring on squad players later. The other approach would be to play the squad players from the start and have the likes of Son and Kane available as super-subs if the need arises.
Given the poor starts from the regular line-up of late, Spurs are better off with some rotation to start, which is reflected in our team.
Projected Tottenham Forwards
Tottenham will still play with three forwards; they will not be the three forwards we would normally expect.
Left forward – Ivan Perisic
Given his minutes at the World Cup and since starting, Ivan Perisic seems strange. However, the Croatian does not play forward enough, and getting Sonny some rest is more important for the team. Perisic’s versatility and ability to run at defenders should benefit a weaker-than-normal team.
Center-forward – Harvey White
It is a Tottenham academy graduate and former loanee starting at center-forward, just not Kane. White spent some time on loan at Portsmouth and played well in the friendlies during the World Cup break. With opportunities for minutes growing more limited, this seems like the perfect time to start White.
Right-forward – Bryan Gil
Maybe the Spaniard starts on the left, but Bryan Gil has to start either way. Gil was loads better against Crystal Palace than he was against Aston Villa and showed a willingness to work on the pitch. Hopefully, his assist to Kane will grow his confidence. Gil needs the minutes to grow his confidence and his game.
Projecting Spurs Midfield
Tottenham continues with the four-person midfield, and we see a few names that should excite some fans.
Left-wing-back – Ryan Sessegnon
Having not started since before the World Cup break due to injury, it would be an excellent time for Ryan Sessegnon to get back on the field. Sessegnon logged a few minutes against Palace but needs to knock off the rust and provide a natural alternative on the left for Conte. Playing against Portsmouth provides an excellent opportunity to get some work in.
Central midfield – Pape Matar Sarr
We think Paper Matar Sarr should start in a move that will hopefully happen and excite fans. While Yves Bissouma is available, and so is Pierre Hojbjerg, it is a rare chance, and Conte needs to give Sarr that opportunity. The Senegalese midfielder looked comfortable on the ball against Palace and will hopefully do more against Pompey.
Central midfield – Oliver Skipp
Like Sarr, a player in need of some minutes in the midfield is Oliver Skipp. After being a mainstay for the start of Conte’s campaign, Skipp has only started three matches since picking up an injury last January. Skipp was okay against Palace but will want to show more against a team where he should.
Right-wing-back – Djed Spence
Maybe it is wishful to think Djed Spence will start at right-wing-back, but it seems to make sense. While Emerson Royal is the regular alternative to Matt Doherty, like with Sarr, Skipp, and White, this is a chance to get some much-needed minutes to someone who gets very few, and Spurs need to leverage that opportunity. Even if to get minutes to get a loan, Spence needs to be on the pitch.
Tottenham projected Defense
Defensively Conte has a few options and is likely to use them.
Left-back – Ben Davies
As a substitute against Palace, Ben Davies is likely back in the starting line-up against Pompey. Davies could very well be the team captain, based on our projections. Expect Davies to look to get forward early and often.
Center-back – Davinson Sanchez
It is difficult to say that Davinson Sanchez instills a lot of confidence at center-back in a back-three, but Sanchez needs the minutes he should be able to handle the work. Not a player made for a back-three formation, Sanchez could use a good match.
Right-back – Japhet Tanganga
We have Sanchez playing centrally, as we expect Conte to give more time to another academy product in Japhet Tanganga. Tanganga is another player whose growth has seemed to stall with a lack of minutes and availability after battling several injuries.
Goalkeeper – Fraser Forster
Fraser Forster deputized for Hugo Lloris in the loss to Villa after the World Cup, but we expect better results for Forster and Spurs in this game. Forster is still a solid shot blocker imposing in the box with his size. It is that ability to react quickly to make the second save where Forster seems to be a step slower than he used to be. Hopefully, that will not be a factor on Saturday.
