By 90min | Created at 2024-11-07 17:33:08 | Updated at 2024-11-15 07:26:53
1 week ago
Tottenham Hotspur are searching for a third successive victory in all competitions when they make the journey to Istanbul to face Galatasaray this Thursday.
Spurs are still capable of misfiring but have won nine of their last 11 matches in all competitions. Surrendering a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion and producing a tame display in a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace highlight the frustrations for the Tottenham faithful.
The Europa League has been perfect to date for the Lilywhites. Three outings have resulted in maximum points, with Ange Postecoglou often making wholesale changes against inferior opposition. Galatasaray will pose Spurs their sternest European challenge thus far.
Here is how Tottenham could line up in Turkey.
James Maddison scored at the weekend / Ryan Pierse/GettyImages
GK: Guglielmo Vicario - Fraser Forster performed well in the 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar last time out in the Europa League, but first-choice stopper Vicario may be preferred on Thursday as Spurs prepare to face some impressive attacking firepower.
RB: Archie Gray - Gray thrived in a right-back role for Leeds United last season and that's where the orthodox midfielder has earned the bulk of his minutes for Spurs. He's likely to come up against Yunus Akgun, who he will know from his loan spell at Leicester City last term.
CB: Radu Dragusin - Injuries to both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will force Postecoglou into fielding his second-string centre-back pairing on Thursday. Dragusin, who was sent off in Spurs' first Europa League encounter, will be tasked with keeping Victor Osimhen at bay.
CB: Ben Davies - You know what you're going to get from the experienced Welshman, who has now been in north London for over a decade. He's started all three Europa League matches for Tottenham.
LB: Destiny Udogie - Cover at left-back is thin on the ground, with Udogie one of Spurs' few options. The young Italian has rarely been rested this season and Postecoglou will have to be careful with his minutes during the busy winter period.
CM: Lucas Bergvall - The 18-year-old has sparkled in Spurs' last two Europa League matches but will face a much sterner challenge in the engine room on Thursday. Will he sink or swim?
CM: Yves Bissouma - Tottenham are a much stronger side defensively with Bissouma in the starting lineup and he should offer some much-needed protection to a changed rearguard. He will battle former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira in the centre.
CM: James Maddison - Despite a wonderful free kick against Villa, Maddison has found himself pushed down the pecking order in recent weeks as Dejan Kulusevski sparkles in an attacking midfield role. He may have to accept a place in Spurs' alternate XI.
RW: Mikey Moore - Enormous expectations rest on Moore's shoulders and the early signs suggest he's capable of holding them. A pressure cooker atmosphere in Istanbul will test his credentials.
ST: Dominic Solanke - With Richarlison sidelined once more, Solanke should lead the line in Turkey. The summer recruit had been on a frustrating run of form but bagged two well-taken goals against Villa to lift his spirits.
LW: Timo Werner - Werner broke his duck against Man City in last week's Carabao Cup tie before proceeding to miss a hatful of chances. The German is unlikely to ever morph into a clinical finisher but he's a tireless worker.
