Tottenham v Bournemouth: Spurs starting XI without Dembele
Left centre back-Jan Vertonghen
The classy Belgian will celebrate becoming his nation’s most capped player by starting yet another match for Spurs. Vertonghen will look to continue his outstanding run of form while keeping Jermain Defoe and company away from Tottenham’s goal.
Curiously, Vertonghen might be even more important to the Spurs attack in this match. Bournemouth may choose to line up in a very conservative fashion for this match. If they do, look for Vertonghen to pick and choose quite a few moments to get forward down the left side of the pitch.
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Centre back-Davinson Sanchez
Tottenham fans will hope that Sanchez has a very boring match. Spurs can reasonably be expected to dominate possession against Bournemouth. If they do, Pochettino’s talented Colombian defender shouldn’t face much action.
Ultimately, Sanchez just needs to make sure he is ready on the handful of occasions that Bournemouth try to break. As long as he dispatches the Cherries on those few instances, Spurs should be able to keep a clean sheet.
Right centre back-Toby Alderweireld
As usual, Vertonghen won’t be the only Belgian in the Spurs starting XI. Alderweireld will join his countrymen in his club’s back three.
Alderweireld will look to torment Bournemouth with his long, diagonal passes. Just like Vertonghen, you can expect him to make his way forward quite a bit during this match as well. He’ll look to set his attackers free with his clever passing ability from the back.