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Tottenham projected starting XI vs. Gillingham

By Rucker Haringey

WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Shayon Harrison of Tottenham celebrates with team mates after scoring his teams fourth goal of the game during the Premier League 2 match between Reading and Tottenham Hotspur on August 22, 2016 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Shayon Harrison of Tottenham celebrates with team mates after scoring his teams fourth goal of the game during the Premier League 2 match between Reading and Tottenham Hotspur on August 22, 2016 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur arrives prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur arrives prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) /

Defensive midfielder-Harry Winks

Winks is one of quite a few Spurs starlets who have signed new contracts over the past several weeks, and as such, I expect to see him get the start on Wednesday. He’s got more than enough quality to effectively patrol the Tottenham midfield against a League One side.

It will also be interesting to see how effective he can be pushing the attack forward against an inferior opponent. He started his career as a more attack-minded player before finding a home in the double-pivot. It’d be nice to see him come through as a true box-to-box midfielder in the match.

Defensive midfielder-Victor Wanyama

Pochettino could elect to go with more youth in this spot, but I think he’ll want one veteran in his double-pivot. Given the injuries to both Eric Dier and Moussa Dembele, that only leaves Victor Wanyama as the potential solution.

The Kenyan has been a regular contributor this season for Spurs, and was a huge help to the club during Dembele’s suspension. Expect his playing time to decrease if the Belgian is able to stay fit for the entire campaign.

The expectation that Dembele can return and regain his starting spot in Pochettino’s XI means the manager can afford to play Wanyama heavy minutes in the short-term. That means he could get the full 90 minutes against Gillingham.

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