Tottenham Hotspur return to league action this afternoon as they look to get their top-four challenge back on track.
Jose Mourinho’s side welcome his former club Manchester United to north London for a huge Premier League clash at the top-end of the table – a win for Spurs would see them leapfrog Liverpool into fifth place.
Though it will be a tough task as the Red Devils have vastly improved since the unforgettable 6-1 demolition up at Old Trafford in October; they are now second to Man City in the standings.
What is your prediction for Spurs vs United?
Spurs win
Draw!
United win
Last time out, Spurs drew late on to Newcastle United, meaning they have now dropped 15 points from winning positions this campaign.
So, it will surely see Mourinho want a reaction and he could spark that with changes to his starting XI but what sort of lineup could we see in the capital today?
Here’s our prediction along with the latest team and injury news from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
There could be as many as four changes from last Sunday’s 2-2 draw.
As revealed by Mourinho in the build-up to today’s encounter, Spurs have no fresh injury concerns but he will still be without Ben Davies and Matt Doherty.
Club captain and no.1 between the sticks Hugo Lloris should lead out the side, as per usual.
However, we’re expecting a shake-up defensively – even despite holding the third-best defensive record in the top-flight, mistakes and errors at the back have been Spurs’ Achilles heel.
After a strange absence in the northeast, veteran Toby Alderweireld could be preferred to Davinson Sanchez, who made the agonising blunder to let the Magpies equalise.
The 32-year-old Belgian will partner Joe Rodon in the middle, whilst Serge Aurier comes back in for the inexperienced Japhet Tanganga at right-back, with Sergio Reguilon continuing up the left flank.
In midfield, it’s very likely that Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg maintain their partnership as Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks are firmly out of favour.
Having gone with a 4-4-2 of sorts in the last two outings, Mourinho may well go back to a system that involves a no.10 behind Harry Kane and that spot should go back to Lucas Moura, who has been rejuvenated by that role.
It means loan and backup striker Carlos Vinicius is facing the axe, with Heung-min Son very likely to start from the off this time, having been named as a substitute at St James’ Park.
Giovani Lo Celso has started on the right – out of position – recently, so the £27m-rated dynamo is a clear casualty from this formation tweak and as a result, Erik Lamela could start as he did up at Old Trafford.
It means there’s no place for the likes of Gareth Bale, Steven Bergwijn or Dele Alli either.
AND in other news, Mourinho must axe £31.5m-rated “real liability” today, he’s held Spurs back…