Predicting Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur XI for Manchester City
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham’s Projected Midfield
Left wing-back – Ivan Perisic
Often when Spurs are going to be more defensive and play primarily on the counter – against a team like City – you’d think Conte would opt for Ryan Sessegnon, who is better defensively than in attack. However, Perisic can do both and provides more of a threat in the attacking third. Tottenham needs to run at City and take the game to them, which Perisic can do.
Central midfield – Rodrigo Bentancur
Like last January, once Kulusevski and Bentancur returned to the lineup, things started clicking for Tottenham again. Bentancur seems fully recovered from an injury sustained at the World Cup and can hopefully get back to the level he was at before the injury, which was as good as any midfielder in the world.
Central midfield – Pierre Hojbjerg
Like Kane, Pierre Hojbjerg got the day off against Preston North End, and it was a rest the Dutchman very much needed. We should expect to see Hojbjerg fit and firing on Sunday. Likely to be outnumbered in the midfield for much of the day, so keeping the game in front of him will be paramount for Spurs’ success.
Right wing-back – Emerson Royal
We know Matt Doherty will not be starting after having his contract terminated, and although most fans likely want to see Pedro Porro, seeing him off the bench is the more likely outcome Sunday. As a result, Emerson Royal will get the nod, providing sound defensive cover but not the kind of forward push we expect Porro to bring.