Tottenham projected starting XI v Real Madrid: Does Kane sit or start?

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MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – OCTOBER 28: Fernando Llorente of Tottenham Hotspur and Phil Jones of Manchester United battle for possession during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 28, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Striker-Fernando Llorente

Pochettino dispatched the towering Spaniard in the reverse fixture to serve as a pressure release for Tottenham midfielders. He was starting alongside Harry Kane on that day, but will replace him on Wednesday.

Curiously, his role in the match shouldn’t change that much. Llorente will be out there to hold up play and nod the ball down to oncoming attackers. It’s a bonus for Pochettino if he can wreak havoc on set pieces as well.

Spurs fans will have their eyes on Llorente to see if he can finally provide Tottenham with a goal. Every match that passes without him finding the back of the net will only increase the whispers that he’s another version of Roberto Soldado or Vincent Janssen.

Keeper-Hugo Lloris

I’m running out of different ways to say this. When healthy, Lloris will start every big match for Tottenham. With all due respect to Michel Vorm, it isn’t a tough choice for Pochettino.

Bench-Harry Kane, Ben Davies and Harry Winks

Pochettino will try to preserve Kane for much of this match, but he’ll give in and let his star striker at least have a cameo appearance. This, clearly, is predicated on Tottenham being in the match after the first hour or so.

Davies could enter the match for Danny Rose or Jan Vertonghen. It’s more likely he replaces Rose due to fitness concerns, but an early yellow card for Vertonghen could change Pochettino’s thinking. Either way, expect the Welshman to make an appearance.

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Winks will come on for one of the two holding midfielders. It’ll be Dembele if it’s a matter of fitness or Dier if it’s a matter of performance. Spurs fans should fervently hope for the former.

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