It's Tottenham v Manchester United live on talkSPORT this Sunday 1 December 2013 and we're taking a look at how the Lilywhites could line up…
Tottenham have endured a tough week following their pathetic performance against Manchester City in a 6-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas’ is under pressure, £26million summer signing Roberto Soldado has seen his performances scrutinised, while Michael Dawson, who just a week ago was being looked at as a potential England defender, now faces a fight for his place at White Hart Lane.
The Portuguese boss named a strong Spurs side as they dispatched Tromso 2-0 in Norway to seal top spot in their Europa League group. It was a line up that could signal under-fire AVB is about to ring the changes as they face a Manchester United side who are finally hitting their stride under David Moyes. Could a man seemingly set for the exit door fire the Lilywhites to victory?
Last chance saloon for Defoe?
The form of Soldado has widely been criticised with TV pundits slating the Spaniard's displays and his lack of goals from open play. He was picked to play against Tromso and this once again suggests Villas-Boas is set to make an alteration to his side. Emmanuel Adebayor apparently suffered a groin injury during his substitute appearance against against Man City and this means the Portuguese boss could well turn to Jermain Defoe, even though the England striker seems set for a move to Toronto in January. The 31-year-old scored an acrobatic overhead kick against the Red Devils at White Hart Lane in 2009 and his probing runs off the shoulder could prove dangerous against David Moyes' men. And any success he has could have huge ramifications for him and his manager.
A case for the defence
Although the Tottenham backline were given a torrid time it's unlikely Villas-Boas will be making many alterations to a defence that had previously only conceded six goals. Hugo Lloris’ dodgy kicking put his defence under a lot of pressure in their thrashing at the hands of City but with Brad Friedel showing his age during recent Europa League displays it is unlikely the Frenchman will lose his place anytime soon.
The same will go for Kyle Walker and Jan Vertonghen. England right-back Walker, 23, is an automatic starter for the Lilywhites with Kyle Naughton yet to truly threaten his place, while Belgian centre-back Vertonghen will continue (reluctantly) on the left side in Danny Rose’s absence, even though he struggles against pace, which will worry Spurs fans.
Any changes are likely to come in the centre. Younes Kaboul didn’t have the greatest of games against Manuel Pellegrini's men but, having been left out of Spurs’ Europa League trip to Norway, it’s probable he will start again. Michael Dawson looked well out of his depth against Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo, and could be replaced by Romanian summer signing Vlad Chiriches, who has impressed the White Hart Lane faithful during his nine games for the club and helped force an own goal against Tromso. The £8million man is a calm presence and against Newcastle, although Spurs lost 1-0, he bailed out Dawson on a couple of occasions. He'll have to be at his best to stop Wayne Rooney though, who has bagged six Premier League goals this season.
Three is the magic number
Throughout the season so far, Villas-Boas has been using a number 10 in the form of either the currently crocked Christian Eriksen or Lewis Holtby, but the latter’s anonymous showing in their 6-0 drubbing, where he was replaced by Emmanuel Adebayor at half-time, could see Gylfi Sigurdsson handed a rare start in his more favoured role. The Icelandic star has often been shunted out on the left to make use of his inswinging crosses and ability to curl home with his right boot (he's hit three goals this season) but after a bright display in the middle against Tromso he could be given the green light to terrorise Manchester United's defence.
Brazilian beast Sandro is likely to retain his place and help shackle Rooney, should he drop deep in search of the ball, while £17million man Paulinho appears almost untouchable in the Spurs starting line up, despite recent poor performances. Mousa Dembele's well taken goal against Tromso and ability to retain possession will give Villas-Boas a headache but with Paulinho having fresher legs he's almost certain to reprise his box-to-box role at White Hart Lane. Iit wouldn't be a surprise if he plays in more controlled manner with less forays upfield.
Forget inverted wingers
Tottenham’s attempts to play with wide players who cut in and shoot, rather than cross from the flank, hasn’t fared too well. Andros Townsend looks a real danger with his pace, but the England man has become predictable with his final ball. Aaron Lennon and Erik Lamela hardly impressed against Manchester City, though Lennon could get another chance as he continues to return from injury. And if he does it should be expected he'll play on his favoured right flank having failed to find success in his cameos on the left. On the opposite flank, having seen Townsend play for 90 minutes against Tromso, Lamela should get the nod again, as he did against Man City, as he looks to show the form which saw Spurs part with £30million for his signature. Having players in wide areas who will be likely to cross rather than cut in will then, in theory, provide more ammo for Defoe.
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