How Tottenham could line up against Man Utd with Dele Alli suspended but Harry Kane returning
THE WAIT is almost over for Tottenham fans as the club prepare to restart their Premier League season.
After three months out due to the coronavirus lockdown, Spurs return to action on Friday.
But Jose Mourinho and his side face a tough test as they welcome his old club Manchester United to North London.
And with no recent form to help him decide on his team, the Special One has a number of key choices to make.
It’s a game Spurs simply have to win in order to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
And victory over fifth-placed United would see them close the gap on the Red Devils to just a point.
That could mean Mourinho, usually more well-known for his defensive style, goes for broke against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.
But he will have to doubt it without attacker Dele Alli, who is serving a suspension due to a social media post.
Most eyes will be on whether Giovani Lo Celso starts.
The star has not been spotted during Spurs’ in-house training ground match or the recent friendly with Norwich, casting doubts over the 24-year-old’s fitness.
That means Moussa Sissoko is likely to be given the nod if the Argentine is not ready.
With the prospect of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes lining-up together for the first time for United, Mourinho is unlikely to go too gung-ho.
And we would expect to see Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks line up alongside Sissoko in the middle.
We know Harry Kane is fit and ready for action and there is little doubt he will be thrust in to lead to Spurs attack.
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But with another home game against West Ham to come on Tuesday, Mourinho may decide to protect Steven Bergwijn ahead of the London Derby.
And after his goal against Norwich last week, that means Erik Lamela will likely be given a chance to start just behind Kane with Son Heung-min.
Hugo Lloris almost picks himself in goal for Tottenham with Mourinho looking set to go with his trusted back four of Serge Aurier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Ben Davies.
And the good thing for the Portuguese boss is that he now has two extra substitutes he can use to shake things up if he does not get it right the first time.