Predicted Tottenham Hotspur XI to face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup
Harry Winks’ last-gasp header sealed all three points for Tottenham Hotspur as the Lilywhites came back from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are in pursuit of their first trophy since 2007-08 and the Lilywhites will be looking to book their seats in the finals of the Carabao Cup when they head to Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 lead to face Chelsea in the second leg of the semi-final.
Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday and the Blues will be under pressure to bounce back from the derby loss in the must-win game on Thursday night.
Team News
Mauricio Pochettino has plenty of injuries to contend with heading into the mid-week clash. Harry Kane is ruled out until March with an ankle injury while Heung-min Son is away on international duty to represent South Korea. Dele Alli is also unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury in the last game while Moussa Sissoko (groin) and Victor Wanyama (knee) are ruled out.
Pochettino has dropped a hint that Lucas Moura might be fit to lead the line against Chelsea on Thursday night.
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Predicted XI
1. Paulo Gazzaniga (GK)
The Argentine shot-stopper has impressed whenever he has got a chance and Pochettino should give him the nod to start between the sticks for this one.
2. Toby Alderweireld (RCB)
The Belgian has been a solid presence at the back for the Lilywhites all season and Spurs will rely heavily on him once again.
3. Davinson Sanchez (CB)
The Colombian had a poor outing against Fulham the other day and Spurs will need him to be more compact in the crunch game.
4. Jan Vertonghen (LCB)
He was lucky not have conceded a penalty in the last game but he has been one of the first names on the team sheet.
5. Danny Rose (LWB)
The Englishman looked quite proactive down the left in a wing-back role against Fulham and Pochettino should hand him a start ahead of Ben Davies.
6. Kieran Trippier (RWB)
He looked quite solid and organised at the back in the last game and Spurs will need him to play a big role on Thursday.
7. Harry Winks (CM)
The youngster will be in high spirits after scoring the injury-time winner against Fulham and he has impressed in the middle of the park this season.
8. Eric Dier (CM)
He came on as a substitute in the last game but he is likely to start this one in the absence of Dele Alli.
9. Christian Eriksen (LAM)
Spurs will rely on their talismanic playmaker to rise to the occasion and spark that creativity in the attack in the absence of Alli and Son.
Read More:- Tottenham would bag a massive coup by beating Liverpool in the race to sign this 21-year-old Dutch attacking prodigy
10. Erik Lamela (RAM)
He had a poor day at the office against Fulham and the Lilywhites will need him to fire in the cup tie.
11. Lucas Moura (ST)
The Brazilian will be expected to spearhead the attack in the absence of Harry Kane if he is fit enough to start.
