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The good feeling surrounding Ange Postecoglou has swiftly returned following a November blip, with Tottenham ending 2023 in high spirits.
Despite their extensive list of absences, Spurs are just six points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool as they prepare for a less hectic January.
Their new year begins with a FA Cup third-round tie at home to Burnley on Friday night. Spurs made light work of the Clarets in their first meeting of the season in August, but Vincent Kompany’s side, while seemingly doomed for the drop, have displayed some competence in recent weeks.
Ange will once again be without a whole host of stars for Friday’s cup tie, including Pape Matar Sarr and Son Heung-min. Here’s what Spurs’ starting lineup could be for Burnley’s visit.
GK: Guglielmo Vicario – It’s been a few outings since the Italy international kept a clean sheet but Vicario is expected to get a chance to shut Burnley out on Friday with Ange set to name a strong starting XI.
RB: Pedro Porro – The Spaniard sits among the Premier League’s best-performing full-backs this season and has been ubiquitous in the starting lineup.
CB: Emerson Royal – Royal will continue to be preferred over Eric Dier until Cristian Romero returns to action.
CB: Ben Davies – Some will be clamouring for young Alfie Dorrington to get the nod, but Davies has been a model of consistency in Micky van de Ven’s absence.
LB: Destiny Udogie – The dynamic and powerful multi-faceted full-back was back to his best in the victory over Bournemouth.
DM: Oliver Skipp – The suspended Yves Bissouma is away at AFCON, so it’s likely a toss-up between Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for the holding role in midfield. Skipp’s dynamism without possession is highly valued.
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – The Uruguayan’s return is huge with Sarr at AFCON. Bentancur had a role to play in the Senegalese international’s opener on Sunday.
CM: Giovani Lo Celso – The Argentine produced his best performance in a Spurs shirt since his debut campaign at the weekend and is a sure bet to continue in midfield.
RW: Dejan Kulusevski – Spurs escaped with three points in the Swede’s absence on New Year’s Eve, but his return will certainly be welcomed for this cup tie.
ST: Richarlison – With xG defier Son away at the Asia Cup, Spurs will need Richarlison to up his efficiency in front of goal. Fortunately, the Brazilian is in a rich vein of form.
LW: Brennan Johnson – Much of Johnson’s good work for the club has come from the right, but Ange’s absences means the Welshman will switch flanks against the Clarets and work in tandem with Udogie.
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