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Tottenham projected starting XI v Manchester City: Pochettino will attack Guardiola

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and APOEL Nicosia at Wembley Stadium on December 6, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and APOEL Nicosia at Wembley Stadium on December 6, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur 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 Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur 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 Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Defensive midfielder-Mousa Dembele

Tottenham may be searching to sign Dembele’s replacement in January, but he’s still Pochettino’s best choice for this match. Remember, Dembele’s struggles are with playing loads of matches. He’s still capable of playing world-class football on his day.

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Spurs will need Dembele to play a top-drawer match if they’re going to win this one. His ability to break up play and possess the ball in the midfield are critical to Pochettino’s plans. If Dembele looks like an old and broken down player, Tottenham will be run over in the middle of the pitch. If, on the other hand, he looks spry and on his game, Spurs will have a fighting chance to pull off the upset.

Defensive midfielder-Harry Winks

Pochettino will be sorely tempted to go with Moussa Sissoko here to provide his squad a little more defensive presence. In the end, Poch will go with the young Englishman due to his ability to keep the ball ticking.

Make no mistake, this is a big challenge for Winks. He’s not a great defensive player which means he must be outstanding on the ball to play an above average match. The more Winks sees of the ball, the better the match is going for Tottenham. If he doesn’t get much time on the ball, he won’t finish the full 90 minutes.

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