Spurs official starting line up vs Manchester City

Tonight, this Wednesday evening, at 20:15 GMT, Tottenham Hotspur have a mammoth task on their hands, as they host Manchester City for a place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Ange Postecoglu confirmed yesterday that Wilson Odobert had suffered a setback in his recovery from injury, and that Heung-Min Son was unlikely to make the game, as he recovers from injury. Indeed, Son has not made the squad for the game.

For the task at hand, Ange has selected the following side; Vicario; Gray, Romero, Dragusin, van de Ven; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Werner.

There is no doubt that van de Ven at left-back is certainly one of the talking points. With Destiny Udogie playing the Europa League game against AZ Alkmaar, his workload is most likely being managed by Ange.

The second half midfield duo against West Ham United, Sarr and Kulusevski - in front of the holding midfielder - that fans had hoped to see against Crystal Palace, is here from the start for tonight. Bentancur is tasked with holding it down ahead of Yves Bissouma, making it the exact same trio that finished the game vs West Ham.

Fans are not happy to see Werner starting, though the chances of Mikey Moore starting for the third time in six days always felt low. Richarlison at left wing, up against 5'7 Rico Lewis, felt like it could have perhaps been the play.

As for the visitors - there is some rotation, with both James McAtee and Nico O'Reilly both starting in midfield, though they will be guided by the vastly experienced Ilkay Gundogan.

Savio appears to be starting on the right-wing, so the direct battle with van de Ven will certainly be an intereting one to see. The back four is certainly the most experienced part of the side. As touched on above, Lewis is at right-back, and is joined by John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake to complete the back four.

If necessary, Pep can turn to Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland on the bench. Ederson, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Mateo Kovavic are also on the bench, with three academy players making up the rest of the numbers.

It is certainly a strong enough City team to dispose of Spurs, if they play even 10% as badly as they did against Crystal Palace. There must be a big reaction tonight, if Ange's side are going to have any chance at all of progressing through.