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Tottenham projected starting XI at Watford: Expect a formation change from Pochettino

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on October 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on October 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur warms up during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on November 28, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur warms up during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on November 28, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Tottenham will change things up at Watford

Mauricio Pochettino understands that Tottenham desperately need to leave Watford with all three points on Saturday. Given the club’s recent struggles, it’s safe to assume the Argentine gaffer will be shaking things up a bit.

Usually, that means making substantial changes to the starting XI. Don’t expect Pochettino to go that route. Spurs’ litany of injuries make that sort of change difficult to achieve.

Instead, look for Pochettino to make a pretty substantial shift to the club’s tactics. Specifically, expect Spurs to line up with four defenders at the back on Saturday. The club have previously enjoyed good success playing three at the back, but it just hasn’t worked for Tottenham lately.

The injury absences of Toby Alderweireld and Victor Wanyama certainly make it more difficult for Pochettino to deploy his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. That’s why he’ll go back to his old style of 4-2-3-1 for the foreseeable future.

Playing three at the back may be all the range in England at the moment, but Pochettino is ready to zig while everyone else zags. Read on to discover how he’ll line his club up for the big match against the Hornets.

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