Tottenham’s projected starting XI vs. Manchester City

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Mauricio Pochettino manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Group E match between PFC CSKA Moskva and Tottenham Hotspur FC atat the CSKA Arena stadium on September 27, 2016 in Moscow. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Mauricio Pochettino manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Group E match between PFC CSKA Moskva and Tottenham Hotspur FC atat the CSKA Arena stadium on September 27, 2016 in Moscow. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)
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MOSCOW, RUSSIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Heung-Min Son (7) and Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate victory after during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between PFC CSKA Moskva and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Stadion CSKA Moskva on September 27, 2016 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Heung-Min Son (7) and Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate victory after during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between PFC CSKA Moskva and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Stadion CSKA Moskva on September 27, 2016 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

The Attacking Midfield

I’ve seen some chatter among the Tottenham fan base that Son Heung-Min should be rested against City due to all the football he’s played recently. That’s complete nonsense. You don’t put a goal scorer in this sort of form on the bench under any circumstances.

Pencil the Korean attacker in at one of the interchangeable attacking positions. He’ll really spend time at all four attacking spots. Expect to see him function as the Tottenham striker at select moments.

Christian Eriksen is also in a solid run of form which should put him comfortably into Pochettino’s starting XI. The Danish star will need to have a top-class game if his club are going to be able to take all three points from the match.

The third spot in the attacking midfield trio is the more interesting question. Presuming Alli doesn’t start in the double-pivot, he’ll be a real option to deploy here. The other logical choice would be Erik Lamela.

I’m predicting that Pochettino goes for a bit of a surprise here and leaves Alli on the bench. Lamela’s defensive contributions could be hugely valuable against City. He’s exactly the sort of tireless runner that could torment City’s midfield. That means Pochettino will save Alli to be a high impact substitute.