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Tottenham vs Stoke City: 5 key matchups

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal with his team mates during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on August 20, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal with his team mates during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on August 20, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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MIDDLESBOROUGH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Bojan Krkic Stoke City during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Stoke City on August 13, 2016 in Middlesbrough. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBOROUGH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Bojan Krkic Stoke City during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Stoke City on August 13, 2016 in Middlesbrough. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images) /

4. Bojan vs. Ben Davies

You have to imagine the Spanish attacker’s eyes lit up when he heard the news that Danny Rose wouldn’t be fit for the match. Ben Davies is a competent Premier League left back, but he just isn’t the athletic headache that Rose provides to opposing attackers.

Davies won’t need to contain Bojan all by himself, but he will find himself matched up against him more often than not. He just needs to use his cool head and positioning to keep the former Barcelona attacker under wraps.

I actually believe the matchup may be more important for Stoke on the other end of the pitch. Bojan is going to need to track back to provide his back four quite a bit of support. He can’t afford to let Davies dwell on the ball out on the left-wing. If that happens, his crosses are going to find a Tottenham attacker in the box.

Bojan and Davies should be a real indicator of which side is enjoying the most success in the match. Whichever player is spending the most time defending, is probably going to end up on the losing side of the encounter.

Next: 3. Kyle Walker vs. Marko Arnautovic

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