Tottenham Hotspur face a daunting Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid, and Igor Tudor has several major decisions to make as Spurs prepare for the first leg in Spain. Let’s take a look at our predicted Tottenham XI.
Igor Tudor will be hoping that playing in a new competition can spark his Tottenham side into life, given their Premier League struggles, with attention now turning to the Champions League.
However, in Europe and at this stage of the competition, securing a victory is never easy, given the quality of opposition.
Spurs take on Spanish side Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the round of 16 of the Champions League at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
It is the first of two legs, and Spurs will hope to keep things tight before welcoming Atleti to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tudor has a few big calls to make ahead of this encounter, and we have attempted to predict how the Croat might line up.
Dominic Solanke and Cristian Romero expected to start
Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario: The Italian is yet to keep a clean sheet under Igor Tudor, having conceded nine goals in his last three outings. There were rumours before the Crystal Palace game that Vicario could have been dropped, but he started. It remains to be seen if that remains the case here.
Right-back – Pedro Porro: The Spaniard was deployed as a centre-back on Thursday night, but we expect him to be used in his preferred wing-back role on the right.
Centre-back – Kevin Danso: The defender completed a full ninety minutes for the first time since his return from injury. We expect Igor Tudor to set up with a back three, which should see Danso start.
Centre-back – Micky van de Ven: The Dutchman let his side down with his sending-off against Crystal Palace, but the suspension does not affect the Champions League, so he should start here.
Centre-back – Cristian Romero: He has completed his Premier League suspension, and this encounter will serve as his first appearance since the Manchester United sending-off and his first game under Igor Tudor. It is a big game, and we expect the Spurs boss to get him up to speed quickly.
Left-back – Djed Spence: He has missed the last two games because of injury, but Igor Tudor stated Spence will be back for this tie, so he should start on the left.
Pivot midfielder – Joao Palhinha: Spurs will be looking to keep things tight in midfield since they are away from home, which should see Palhinha start.
Centre midfielder – Archie Gray: The teenager has shown plenty of fight and spirit in a Tottenham shirt in recent weeks while playing out of position. This time, however, we expect him to be used in midfield.
Number ten – Xavi Simons: The Dutchman was handed a rest against Crystal Palace, but we expect him to return to the starting XI here.
Striker – Dominic Solanke: He found his scoring boots against Crystal Palace with a striker’s finish. Igor Tudor will be hoping for more of the same in Spain on Tuesday.
Striker – Randal Kolo Muani: Igor Tudor has continued to trust the forward he has worked with previously, with Muani featuring in all three games under the Croat so far. Richarlison could come in here, but we do not expect such a change.