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Tottenham’s projected starting XI vs. CSKA Moscow

By Rucker Haringey

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur shoots during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur shoots during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Jordan Rhodes of Middlesbrough (L) and Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Jordan Rhodes of Middlesbrough (L) and Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

The Defensive Midfield

Victor Wanyama isn’t the most dynamic midfielder in North London, but he’s a steady presence in the middle of the Spurs’ midfield. He’ll be expected to provide another solid performance in Pochettino’s double-pivot.

He should be particularly well suited to play against the physicality of CSKA Moscow. The Russian club will want to establish their toughness early and often on Tuesday, but Wanyama isn’t the type to back down. He might be the perfect Spurs response to what CSKA want to do.

The other defensive midfield spot here is the question mark. I’m going to go ahead and assert that Moussa Dembele isn’t going to make the trip. Pochettino hasn’t made any definitive comments about his availability, which I think is telling. That leaves the choice to come down to Eric Dier or Dele Alli.

If Tottenham want to really put forth an offensive lineup, they can choose to deploy Alli in the deep midfield again. He started alongside Wanyama against Middlesbrough on Saturday, and did an adequate job.

However, playing at Middlesbrough is a lot different than traveling to CSKA Moscow for a Champions League affair. Spurs will want to play a safer lineup. That means that Eric Dier will get the starting nod in an effort to provide the maximum support possible to the Tottenham back four.

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