Tottenham’s 2019/20 season is on the brink of total collapse as they play RB Leipzig in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie – live on talkSPORT.
In recent weeks, injuries and poor form have left Jose Mourinho’s side as outsiders for a top four finish and out of the FA Cup.
A loss to the east Germans would make it SIX matches without a win and serious questions asked about the Portuguese’ future as he battles to save the club’s season.
It’s not all the fault of the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager but worrying selections have marred recent matches, with players like Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura run into the ground without any rest.
The former is now another absentee for the Lilywhites, suffering a significant ankle sprain against Burnley at the weekend which may now see him out for the rest of the season.
And 1-0 down to Leipzig after Timo Werner’s penalty in London, options are thin on the ground for Mourinho as he attempts to turn the tie on its head.
Team news
Spurs fans did have one huge boost on Monday as Harry Kane was seen on back on the training pitch for the first time since his hamstring injury, although he’s still being coached on his own.
Elsewhere, Moussa Sissoko (knee) and Heung-Min Son (arm) remain key absentees, while Juan Foyth (thigh) and Bergwijn are also out, along with Ben Davies.
How Tottenham should look against RB Leipzig
Spurs struggled in the first leg from the very first whistle.
Playing 4-4-2 with Dele Alli and Lucas up top and Gedson Fernandes and Bergwijn out wide left them chasing shadows when their pressing at the front failed to force errors from their opponents.
Alli and Lucas were ineffective against RB Leipzig’s back-three allowing the ball to get to the wing-backs or the central midfielders far too easily and leaving their teammates outnumbered in the middle of the pitch.
It would be foolish for Spurs to play a similar formation, especially with their latest injuries, so we expect them to start with a back-five.
In should come Ryan Sessegnon who may well be pivotal to the gameplan, his role, when Spurs are in possession, will be to get forward and allow Alli to move inside the area to create a central duo with youngster Troy Parrott.
Alli’s positional versatility will also be key as he may need to drop into central midfield alongside Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso to create a numerical advantage against their opponents.
Out of possession, Sessegnon, who has been unlucky with injuries this term, will tuck in alongside Jan Vertonghen to see off the threat of the opposing wing-back.
Davinson Sanchez should be dropped, his form has been poor of late and his lack of strength in the air means Patrik Shick could target him if he plays, with Japhet Tanganga a possible starter thanks to his pace, ahead of Eric Dier who has improved but has now played three games in a row, including 120 minutes against Norwich.
Toby Alderweireld is likely to start in the centre of the backline with his ability on the ball vital to get Spurs from front to back as quickly as possibly.
Lucas should return to the right flank after a good 45 minute cameo against Burnley.
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