Tottenham Hotspur kick off the new year with a visit to Newcastle United as they look to rediscover some Premier League form.
The Lilywhites welcome the high-flying Magpies to north London on a three-game winless run and the mounting pressure on Ange Postecoglou could increase further if they fail to pick up three points again.
List of brutal Spurs injuries has been a significant factor in their recent struggles and will be without the services of most of his top four picks against Alexander Isak and co. Defensive problems have plagued Postecoglou’s side this term, but they will fancy their chances of troubling Newcastle at the other end of the pitch.
Here’s how Tottenham could arrange.
GK: Fraser Forster – After initially looking assured when replacing the injured Guglielmo Vicario, Forster’s air of confidence has dissipated in recent outings. Some shaky performances didn’t help the much-changed back four in front of him.
RB: Pedro Porro – Porro could be the only first choice of Tottenham’s back five available to Postecoglou for Newcastlevisits and is likely to be pursued by the relentless Anthony Gordon.
CB: Radu Dragušin – The Romanian has struggled to impose himself since coming into an injury-hit defense and now faces a huge challenge to deny Isak. The red-hot forward has scored eight in his last six Premier League games.
CB: Archie Gray – Given that he was a makeshift solution at centre-back, Gray did exceptionally well in his new role. However, just like Dragušin, Isak will face a serious test on Saturday.
LB: Grandpa Spence – Destiny Udogie is the latest casualty at the back after a hamstring injury that will keep him out for around six weeks. Spence, who missed the draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers through suspension, will replace him at left-back.
DM: Yves Bissouma – Much of Newcastle’s strength comes from the midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. Small international Bissouma will be key to preventing the Magpies from overrunning Spurs in central areas.
DM: Pope Matar Sarr – Rodrigo Bentancur impressed against Wolves and even scored in the draw but was suspended once again after his fifth booking of the season.
RW: Brennan Johnson – The Welshman is gaining an unwanted reputation as a driven player, scoring goals for a long time before fading into the background. He scored his first in eight games against Wolves.
AM: Dejan Kulusevski – Once again, the Swede was the best player for Tottenham last time out. Kulusevski is so often the heart of Spurs in the final third and will be an integral part of breaking down a defense that has kept three consecutive clean sheets.
LW: Son Heung-min – Son’s missed penalty against Wolves proved costly and the South Korean hasn’t looked good of late.
ST: Dominic Solanke – Solanke has scored in the last two but will look to capitalize on Fabian Schar’s suspension on Saturday. It could be a battle between two impressive and imposing center forwards in North London.
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