Playing for 90
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Tottenham travel to APOEL beset by injuries: Who starts for Spurs?

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides third goal with his Tottenham Hotspur team mates during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on September 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides third goal with his Tottenham Hotspur team mates during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on September 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United attempts to get past Serge Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur and Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on September 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United attempts to get past Serge Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur and Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on September 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Right back-Serge Aurier

I’ve already tipped you off to the fact that I think Pochettino will go with four at the back. If he does, you can count on Serge Aurier to start at right back.

Not only is he Pochettino’s most talented option at that position, he’s also suspended for the club’s upcoming Premier League match. Given Pochettino’s penchant for rotating fullbacks, that means Aurier gets the start today while Kieran Trippier gets the nod on the weekend.

Left back-Ben Davies

I briefly considered the idea that Kyle Walker-Peters might get the starting nod here, but that’s just too large a risk for this competition. Ben Davies might be a little tired, but he’s still going to be the starter in this match.

Ideally, he won’t have to play the full 90 minutes. If Spurs are able to secure a significant and/or sizable early lead, look for Pochettino to withdraw Davies to try to earn him a bit of extra rest.

Centre back-Toby Alderweireld

There’s no chance that Spurs will go without their most important central defender in this match. Unless he has an unknown injury or illness, Alderweireld is a lock to be in the starting XI.

The change in formation will alter the way he plays a little though. He won’t quite have the ability to get forward with reckless abandon that he does when Pochettino goes three at the back. For this match, he’ll have to play things a bit more conservatively.

Centre back-Davinson Sanchez

Juan Foyth played an excellent match for Spurs against Barnsley, but he’s still going to find himself on the bench for this one. Tottenham will go with the more mature option in the form of Davinson Sanchez.

The Colombian will be entrusted to protect Hugo Lloris at all times. If Spurs are able to keep a clean sheet, then Sanchez will have done his job. He’ll leave the attacking part of the match to his talented teammates.

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