Tottenham Hotspur return to action this afternoon as they face Manchester City in the final of the Carabao Cup.
Spurs head into the game having sacked Jose Mourinho last week, and interim manager Ryan Mason now takes charge of a final in just his second game as a senior boss.
Taking on Pep Guardiola is a daunting enough task for any manager, never mind one who has managed just once so far; Mason picked up a 2-1 win over Southampton on Wednesday.
Mason may be considering changes for today’s game, and here’s our prediction as Spurs prepare to walk out at Wembley Stadium.
Barring a late fitness or illness issue, Hugo Lloris should start in goal for Tottenham today.
We’re backing Serge Aurier to start at right back, with Sergio Reguilon at left back; neither are defensively sound, so City may look to target the duo.
Toby Alderweireld should be one of the centre backs today, and we’re going with Eric Dier to get the nod after playing well against Southampton.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a must in midfield, but we’re predicting a start for Harry Winks – a player who was recently exiled under Mourinho – after he gave Tottenham better control of the game against the Saints.
Giovani Lo Celso wasn’t at his best, so Tanguy Ndombele may be able to play further forward, with Son Heung-min on the left and Gareth Bale on the right.
It sounds like Harry Kane will be passed fit to play, with Lucas Moura no doubt having flashbacks to the 2019 Champions League final if he’s dropped for a rushed-back Kane.
That would leave Moura on the bench, alongside the likes of Joe Hart, Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga, Lo Celso, Moussa Sissoko and Steven Bergwijn or Erik Lamela.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted starting XI: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Winks; Bale, Ndombele, Son; Kane.
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