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

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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Javier Hernandez of West Ham United and Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur battle for possession 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) /

Defensive midfielder-Eric Dier

Dier may not be playing well as of late, but he’s still going to get the starting nod in this match. Hopefully he can dominate the middle of the park the same way his injured teammates usually do.

The key, as always, for Dier is to keep things simple. He can’t get caught out trying to do too much. Pochettino will instruct him to shield the back four and only get forward when Spurs are completely secure in possession. The quieter match he plays the better off Tottenham will be.

Defensive midfielder-Harry Winks

The absence of Wanyama and presumed absence of Dembele leaves a gaping hole in Pochettino’s double-pivot. The result is a massive opportunity for Harry Winks.

Fortunately his opportunity is coming against APOEL and not Real Madrid or Dortmund. Spurs should enjoy the lion’s share of possession which will allow Winks to play to his strengths. Like Dier, he’ll need to keep things simple. His idea of simplicity will be keeping the Spurs’ attack ticking in high tempo with quick passes.

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