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Tottenham v Bournemouth: Spurs starting XI without Dembele

By Rucker Haringey

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Tottenham Hotspur at John Smith's Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Tottenham Hotspur at John Smith's Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur and Leroy Fer of Swansea City battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at Wembley Stadium on September 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur and Leroy Fer of Swansea City battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at Wembley Stadium on September 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Attacking midfielder-Christian Eriksen

This could be another spot on the field where Pochettino chooses to rest players for the Real Madrid match. In the end, I’m guessing the Spurs gaffer will find Eriksen to be too influential to leave on the bench.

For the record, I won’t be surprised of Son Heung-Min gets the starting nod here. Still, Pochettino will want to build some momentum for his club against Bournemouth. Including Eriksen in the starting XI might be necessary to break down a stubborn defence. Hopefully he can get his club off to a big, early lead and then sit out the second half.

Attacking midfielder-Dele Alli

Dele could also be rotated to save for the Champions League match midweek, but I still think he’ll get the starting nod in this match. Again, Spurs simply cannot afford to drop any points this weekend in such a winnable match.

Dele is one of the few players on the Tottenham squad who can play bad football for long stretches and then pop up with a goal out of nowhere. That can make him maddening to watch, but he’s equally maddening to play against. Pochettino will hope he finds the back of the net on Saturday.

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