Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Tottenham Hotspur could line up for their Europa League opener at home to Qarabag FK on Thursday.
Ange Postecoglou is likely to revert back to a similar Tottenham Hotspur XI that edged past Coventry City in the EFL Cup last week when Qarabag FK travel to North London in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Spurs manager rotated heavily for the cup win away to the Championship side last midweek, but needed two late goals to turn the game on its head and reach the fourth round.
Despite that scare though, Postecoglou may make multiple changes once again here, especially with an important Premier League fixture against Manchester United coming up at the weekend.
Even if there are plenty of personnel changes, new signing Dominic Solanke could be used from the start here, as he will look to build on a morale-boosting first goal for the club in the win over Brentford at the weekend.
Postecoglou’s hand may also be forced, given that he has few striking options available to him at present, with Richarlison currently out with unspecified issue, and Timo Werner likely to start on the wing.
Joining Werner in supporting Solanke from out wide could be either Brennan Johnson or Dejan Kulusevski, but 17-year-old Mikey Moore may also seek an opportunity to impress after being an unused sub at Coventry.
It was against Qarabag nine years ago when Spurs icon Son Heung-min netted the first two of his 164 goals for the club, but the captain may be kept in reserve here with one eye on the trip to Manchester.
Out wide, Postecoglou is also without Wilson Odobert after he picked up a thigh injury in the early stages of their win at Coventry in the EFL Cup last week.
This fixture may provide another opportunity for teenage pair Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall to get minutes under their belts, after the two were handed first starts in the cup, with the former’s versatility coming in useful, as he played at right-back.
After Fraser Forster started ahead of Guglielmo Vicario at Coventry, Postecoglou is set to utilise a cup keeper system this season, meaning the backup will likely come into the side again here.
Two of Tottenham’s forgotten men were in their matchday squad in the cup last week, with Djed Spence coming on to score, and Sergio Reguilon remaining on the bench.
Reguilon has not played in any capacity since leaving Brentford last season though, and is unlikely to be thrown in here, but Spence may be pushing for a start, especially after his impact against Coventry.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall; Johnson, Solanke, Werner
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