Tottenham vs West Brom: 5 key matchups

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: The Tottenham Hotspur players come out of the tunnel to warm up prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane on October 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: The Tottenham Hotspur players come out of the tunnel to warm up prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane on October 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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MOSCOW, RUSSIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Tottenham Hotspur’s Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld gives a press conference at the CSKA arena on September 26, 2016 on the eve of the UEFA Champions League group E football match between CSKA Moscow and Tottenham in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Tottenham Hotspur’s Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld gives a press conference at the CSKA arena on September 26, 2016 on the eve of the UEFA Champions League group E football match between CSKA Moscow and Tottenham in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)

1. Toby Alderweireld vs. Salomon Rondon

At first glance, this surely seems like a strange matchup to highlight as the most important of the match. Upon closer examination, it’s easy to see why this matchup could be crucial on both ends of the pitch.

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If West Brom want to win this match, they’re going to need Rondon to give them solid contributions both offensively and defensively. The need for his production on the offensive end of the pitch is rather obvious. He’s a big, physical centre forward who can find the back of the net. Alderweireld will be tasked with keeping him off the score sheet.

Rondon also can’t afford to let Alderweireld make an impact on the Spurs attack. He has the unique ability to get forward in attack and unlock the opposition. His long diagonals are a thing of beauty when they find their target.

These two men are going to see a lot of one another during the match, and the star who gets the upper hand will give his side a huge advantage.