Tottenham Hotspur kick off the new year with the visit of Newcastle United, who are looking to rediscover some form in the Premier League.
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 big factor in their recent struggles and they will be without the services of most of their top four baits against Alexander Isak and co. Defensive woes have plagued Postecoglou’s side this season, but they will fancy their chances of unsettling Newcastle at the other end of the pitch.
Here’s how Tottenham could line up.
GK: Fraser Forster – Having initially looked assured in place of the injured Guglielmo Vicario, Forster’s air of confidence has faded in recent outings. Some shaky performances haven’t helped a much-changed back four in front of him.
RB: Pedro Porro – Porro could be the only first-choice member of Tottenham’s back five available to Postecoglou Newcastlethe visit from him and is likely to be pursued by the relentless Anthony Gordon.
CB: Radu Dragusin – The Romanian has struggled to establish himself since coming into defense through injury and now has the almighty challenge of denying Isak. The red-hot forward has scored eight in his last six Premier League games
CB: Archie Gray – Considering he has been a makeshift solution at centre-back, Gray has adapted to his new role very well. However, like Dragusin, his credentials will be sorely tested by Isak on Saturday.
LB: Djed Spence – Destiny Udogie is the latest back down after a hamstring injury that will rule him out for roughly six weeks. Spence, who missed the tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers through suspension, will replace him at left-back.
DM: Yves Bissouma – Much of Newcastle’s power comes from a midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. Mali international Bissouma will be key to preventing the Magpies from overrunning Spurs in central areas.
DM: Pape Matar Sarr – Rodrigo Bentancur impressed against Wolves and even scored in the equaliser, but is suspended once again after a fifth booking of the season.
RW: Brennan Johnson – The Welshman is establishing an unwanted reputation as a streaky player, going on long scoring runs before fading into the background. He scored his first goal in eight games against Wolves.
AM: Dejan Kulusevski – Once again, the Swede was Tottenham’s standout player last time out. Kulusevski is often the beating heart of Spurs in the final third and will be instrumental in 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 has been out of form of late.
ST: Dominic Solanke – Solanke has kept clean sheets in his last two but will aim to take advantage of Fabian Schar’s suspension on Saturday. It could be a battle of two impressive and towering centre-forwards in north London.
