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Tottenham’s projected starting XI v Middlesbrough

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham in action vs Gillingham during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Gillingham at White Hart Lane on September 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images )
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham in action vs Gillingham during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Gillingham at White Hart Lane on September 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images ) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after his team score during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on August 20, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after his team score during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on August 20, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images) /

The Defense

First off, barring any sort of injury or illness, three of the back five positions are absolute locks on Saturday. The most obvious of which is the fact that captain Hugo Lloris will be back in goal for Spurs once again.

The manager’s choice for starting centre backs is just as obvious. Both Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen were rested against Gillingham which means they’ll certainly start against Middlesbrough. Anything other than the normal pairing would be a major shock.

More from Tottenham Hotspur

At right back, it’s a safe bet that Kyle Walker will once again get the starting now. He too, was rested midweek and has arguably been Spurs’ best player on the young season.

That leaves the real question as what Spurs will do at left back. Ben Davies played significant minutes against Gillingham, which leads me to believe that Danny Rose is going to be fit. If the English international is healthy enough to play, count on him being back in the starting XI.

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