Mauricio Pochettino should make five changes to Tottenham’s starting line-up ahead of their clash against Huddersfield at the new stadium on Saturday if he wants to name his best possible side.
After beating Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, it would make sense for Pochettino to rest some of his key players, especially as the away leg against Pep Guardiola’s side takes place next Wednesday.
Kieran Trippier, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose and Harry Winks should all be dropped to the bench so that they can be rested while Harry Kane’s ankle injury means that he is unlikely to be able to start against Huddersfield this weekend.
Rarely-seen right-back Kyle Walker-Peters should earn his ninth appearance of the season this weekend, while Davinson Sanchez, Ben Davies, Victor Wanyama and Lucas Moura all need to return to the starting line-up.
Hugo Lloris is a no-brainer to start in goals on Saturday as he is unlikely to need any rest after saving a penalty and keeping a clean sheet against Manchester City.
Pochettino has a number of options to keep his defence fresh, but his best possible back-four would be to name Walker-Peters at right-back, Davies at left-back and Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld in between them in the centre-back roles.
Wanyama should return to the midfield to partner the Duracell bunny that is Moussa Sissoko.
Spurs’ attack will be forced into a change due to Kane’s injury, so Pochettino should recall Lucas into his starting line-up to join Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli in the attacking midfield roles.
Heung-min Son excels when Kane is injured, and that showed instantly on Tuesday night when he scored the winner against City. The South Korea international is a no-brainer to start up front.
Although many Spurs fans will have one eye on the second-leg of their Champions League quarter final against Man City, it is imperative that Pochettino names a side that is capable of beating Huddersfield on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish.
Huddersfield are already relegated from the Premier League and will be playing without pressure as they aim to become the first away team to stop Tottenham from winning at their new stadium at White Hart Lane.
However this starting line-up is one that would destroy the Terriers and hopefully see Spurs end the weekend in the top four of the Premier League standings.
