Tottenham are chasing their fifth win on the bounce in all competitions when they take on Ferencvaros on matchday two of their Europa League campaign on Thursday evening.
After enduring back-to-back defeats on either side of the September international bracket, Ange Postecoglou’s seat at N17 started to heat up a bit. However, Spurs have since backed up impressive performances with results and their win at Manchester United on Sunday so far it was the best of the Postecoglou era.
Many consider the Europa League as a competition. Spurs should have high hopes of winning. The bookies have them as favorites and they will benefit from UEFA’s format change, which means no Champions League teams will enter the competition.
A trip to Eastern Europe is next on the horizon for a confident Lilywhite side and here’s the squad Postecoglou could pick for Thursday’s outing.
GK: William Vicar – Vicario was largely responsible Tottenham win over Qarabag last week and the Italian should earn the bulk of the minutes in this competition throughout the league phase.
RB: Archie Gray – The teenager has featured sporadically in the Premier League so far but was excellent on matchday 1 and will return to the Budapest side.
CB: Cristian Romero – Suspended last time out, Romero is eligible to return and will replace Radu Dragusin in Postecoglou’s Europa League XI after the Romania international was sent off against Qarabag.
CB: Micky van de Ven – He fears for his hamstring, but at least Van de Ven earned himself some respite at the weekend after going full Jan Vertonghen (with a bit more power) in the opening minutes at Old Trafford on Sunday.
LB: Ben Davies – The exclusion of Djed Spence from the Europa League The squad leaves Postecoglou short. With Destiny Udogie picking up a knock, Davies should start and will likely captain the side.
CM: Yves Bissouma – Rodrigo Bentancur is back to his best and Bissouma has his work cut out for him if he is to return to Postecoglou’s preferred XI. The Mali international wants to impress in Budapest.
CM: Pope Matar Sarr – Sarr’s energy was crucial against Qarabag when the hosts were reduced to ten and his play allowed Dominic Solanke to pounce for Spurs’ third of the weekend.
CM: Lucas Bergvall – Do you think Bergvall will be ready for this one? After Dragusin ruined his night last Thursday, the young Swede must be on the lookout for a second day.
RW: Brennan Johnson – The red-hot Johnson scored again on Sunday, extending his streak to four games. Considering the 90s have eluded him during his impressive career, the Welsh winger could get another start on Thursday.
ST: Dominic Solanke – Solanke, like Johnson, is enjoying a rich vein of form after returning from injury. He is Tottenham’s main man and has no competition for his place with Son Heung-min and Richarlison likely to miss out.
LW: Mikey Moore – here you are, Tottenham fans, this is what you’ve been waiting for. Teenager Moore is the club’s great young hope and is surely in contention to make his first competitive start for Spurs against Ferencvaros.
