Tottenham Hotspur are again in motion on Wednesday night time at residence to Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon, with Antonio Conte’s aspect nonetheless having all of it to do to safe their place within the subsequent spherical of the Champions League.
The north Londoners are at the moment prime of Group D having picked up seven factors from their opening 4 group video games, though with solely three factors separating the Premier League aspect and backside membership Eintracht Frankfurt, it’s more likely to go right down to the wire by way of who will progress.
The Lilywhites head into the conflict in opposition to Ruben Amorim’s aspect having misplaced their final two top-flight video games, struggling a 2-0 defeat away to Manchester United at Outdated Trafford in midweek earlier than slipping up at residence to Newcastle United on Sunday.
That latter outcome noticed the hosts in the end undone by first-half strikes from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron, with a Harry Kane header after the interval unable to spark a late rally in opposition to Eddie Howe’s aspect.
That irritating loss to the Magpies did see forgotten man Lucas Moura make arguably his most telling involvement of the season thus far, although, with the Brazil worldwide that includes off the bench for the ultimate 24 minutes, having solely been concerned sporadically in current months.
Niggling accidents have lowered the 30-year-old to a bit-part function thus far this time period, though it can possible be pleasing to see the fleet-footed ahead working his means again to full health having now featured instead in every of the previous three league video games.
The £13.5m-rated ace unsurprisingly regarded considerably ‘rusty‘ on the weekend – in keeping with soccer.london’s Alasdair Gold – however he did make his presence felt in that cameo outing after profitable six of his ten duels, whereas additionally trying three dribbles.
Though it stays to be seen if the 35-cap Brazilian can begin tomorrow night time’s conflict – with Conte suggesting that he should “verify” on the participant’s health – it may properly be definitely worth the gamble to thrust the diminutive ace into the fray, notably amid the dearth of attacking choices at current.
The damage absence of each Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison has seen the previous Chelsea boss pressured to deploy a 3-5-2 formation in current video games, however that strategy has seemingly not been fruitful, with an additional attacking physique wanted alongside Heung-min Son and Harry Kane.
In Moura, the Italian may properly unleash an asset who can present one thing “completely different” – within the phrases of Glenn Hoddle – on account of his potential to run with the ball and in addition chip in with a telling goalscoring contact when wanted.
The £90k-per-week dynamo – who has 65 aim contributions to his identify in 208 Spurs appearances to this point – is but to begin a match this time period having beforehand been linked with an exit over the summer season, though now may properly be his probability to shine.
A person who is aware of all about being the hero on Champions League nights – following that hat trick in opposition to Ajax a number of years in the past – Moura may show himself the difference-maker but once more for Tottenham if Conte unleashes him right here.
