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Tottenham v Arsenal: Spurs projected starting XI for the North London Derby, Harry Winks to start?

By Rucker Haringey

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 4: Tottenham Hotspur Manager Mauricio Pochettino during a press conference at the clubs' training ground on November 4, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 4: Tottenham Hotspur Manager Mauricio Pochettino during a press conference at the clubs' training ground on November 4, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) /
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ENFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Harry Winks of Tottenham during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on October 13, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Harry Winks of Tottenham during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on October 13, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) /

The Defensive Midfield

My selections up until now shouldn’t have raised any eyebrows among knowledgeable Spurs fans. That will change quickly with my projections for Tottenham’s double-pivot on Sunday.

I’m expecting Pochettino to hand Harry Winks a surprise start in this crucial Derby. My rationale here is pretty simple. Pochettino will want to start two defensive midfielders to shield the back four, and Winks is one of only to healthy options at this point. He gets to start this match partially on merit, but mainly be default.

Fortunately for Winks, he’ll have an absolute tank next to him in the starting XI. Victor Wanyama has been a revelation for Spurs since his arrival this summer. He’ll be expected to clamp down on Mesut Ozil in the middle of the pitch.

Some might see starting Winks as a gamble, but it’s really the more conservative choice. If Pochettino wants to start two defensive midfielders, he either has to play Winks or move Eric Dier forward. This is the most risk averse option available.

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