Chelsea at home in November? What could possibly go wrong?
Spurs welcome their London rivals to N17 off the back of a Carabao Cup defeat at the hands of holders Newcastle, although Thomas Frank's side performed reasonably well in pretty tough circumstances on Tyneside.
The Dane has been working with a hand tied behind his back over the past few weeks, with Spurs' injury list continuing to increase as the schedule intensifies. The number of absences has crept into double digits, but a significant bout at the weekend may present Frank with a chance to welcome back a couple into his plans.
I mean, rushing players back for this fixture has gone swimmingly in the recent past.
Here's how Spurs could line up for Chelsea's visit on Saturday evening.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Chelsea (3-4-1-2)
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Guglielmo Vicario (GK) – After Antonín Kinsky's midweek horror show, Vicario's status as Spurs' No. 1 looks safe for the foreseeable, especially given the run of form he's on.
Pedro Porro (RWB) – A change of shape means Porro will likely perform a different role in possession on Saturday compared to recent outings, where he's operated as the right-sided defender in a back three. He'll relinquish the armband after leading the side out at St. James' Park.
Kevin Danso (CB) – If Romero's back, I'm expecting a back three and for Danso to keep his place. Enzo Maresca's Chelsea have been caught out by such set-ups.
Cristian Romero (CB) – Frank provided a positive update on his captain earlier in the week, and my gut says he'll be back in the team this weekend.
Micky van de Ven (CB) – The Dutchman earned a deserved midweek rest, so he should be somewhat fresh for a fixture that he has very few bright memories of.
Djed Spence (LWB) – I don't think Destiny Udogie will make it, meaning Spence will perform a wing-back role, as he did impressively in the UEFA Super Cup.
Midfielders
João Palhinha (CM) – Palhinha looks good in the defensive line, but he'll be back in the engine room for Chelsea's visit. He'll be tasked with tracking Enzo Fernández's box-crashes and will aim to set the tone in N17.
Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – Spurs really struggled after Bentancur was withdrawn in the draw at Monaco and defeat on Wednesday. A coincidence, or is the Uruguayan the unsung glue holding the system together?
Xavi Simons (AM) – It seems like there's extreme discourse surrounding every Xavi performance. He was fine on Wednesday, and he will only improve if he continues to receive possession between the lines. He requires a little bit more quality ahead of him.
Forwards
Mohammed Kudus (ST) – Kudus has been subject to two awful tackles in back-to-back games, and Chelsea will certainly know that the Ghanaian is the man to subdue to tame Spurs as a collective from open play.
Randal Kolo Muani (ST) – Richarlison's mightily frustrating midweek showing means Kolo Muani is a shoo-in to make successive Premier League starts. His first at Everton went pretty well.