Ange benches Werner in predicted Spurs lineup vs Wolves
In 2024, Tottenham will be aiming to win two games in a row for the first time.
Following their thrilling victory over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, Tottenham Hotspur is back at home in the Premier League. Brennan Johnson’s game-winning three points at the end sent the team back into the top four.
After Aston Villa’s loss to Manchester United on Sunday, the team led by Ange Postecoglou is back in the Champions League race and could solidify their spot ahead of the final stretch of the season by hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
Pablo Sarabia orchestrated two incredible late goals to change the tide at Molineux, and Wolves overcame Spurs in a dramatic fashion in November. However, Postecoglou will be optimistic that his team will win consecutive games for the first time in 2024.
Manor Solomon and Ryan Sessegnon, two long-term absentees, are still out, but Tottenham is clicking right now, and Heung-min Son could start right away after his impressive cameo against Brighton last time out, where he found Johnson with a nifty pass after returning from the Asia Cup with South Korea.
But as his team continues to gel, Postecoglou may need to make four changes from last week’s triumph due to a few new injury concerns.1GK – Guglielmo Vicario
Guglielmo Vicario joined Tottenham from Empoli for an initial £17m fee last summer and has been largely excellent so far, starting all 24 Premier League fixtures.
He’s sure to start against Wolves, hungry for a first clean sheet in eight matches.
2RB – Radu Dragusin
Pedro Porro is anticipated to miss the upcoming match due to an injury, as disclosed reluctantly by Postecoglou. However, the Spaniard’s absence presents the ideal chance to give Radu Dragusin, a £27 million January signing from Genoa, his maiden starting position.
The tough Romanian defender was earlier praised by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his “complete & dominant” play in the backline.
Although Dragusin is naturally a centre defender, he has also played right back, therefore he may be able to edge off Emerson Royal for the starting position.
3CB – Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero has led Tottenham in the English Premier League for the last four games, but he will probably give the armband back to Son. Nevertheless, Romero will undoubtedly remain in the background as his side battles for fourth place.
| Cristian Romero: Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Passing | Discipline |
| Tackling | |
| Dribbling | |
| Source: WhoScored | |
Aggressive and brutish on occasion, Romero’s disciplinary record has left much to be desired this term but there is no disputing the high-class quality and command he stamps into the backline, with three goals this term to boot.
4CB – Micky van de Ven
Micky van de Ven, who cost £43 million to acquire from Wolfsburg, was signed by Tottenham over Liverpool in August. What a player he is, he has had an incredible debut in England.
Of course, Van de Ven’s two-month absence from action due to a hamstring injury set off a terrible run of play in November and December, which kept Postecoglou’s team out of the running for the championship. However, he is back and looking impressive with his combination of superior mobility and defensive intelligence.
5LB – Ben Davies
The full-backs are falling down at N17 and it looks like Destiny Udogie will be joining Porro in the medical room against Gary ON’Neil’s side, with Ben Davies the likely candidate to step in.
The Wales international, aged 30, started nine league matches in a row before the new year in the thick of Spurs’ injury crisis and will offer stability down the left flank.
6CM – Yves Bissouma
Yves Bissouma, who was previously branded a “monster” of a player by journalist Aaron Stokes, came back off the bench against the Seagulls after returning from the AFCON. His tough-tackling expertise needs to take control, so Bissouma should start against Wolves.
With regard to pass completion, successful takeaways, tackles, and interceptions per 90, the Malian is ranked in the top 2% among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues throughout the previous season, according to FBref.
7CM – Pape Matar Sarr
It’s really easy: Tottenham wins when Pape Matar Sarr plays. Sarr, who is having an incredible breakthrough season, has started 17 league games so far this season, recording three goals and two assists, completing 89% of his passes, and averaging 5.1 ball recoveries per contest.
His unwavering work ethic is just what’s required to defeat the diligent Wolves.
8RW – Dejan Kulusevski
While some players possess exceptional imagination, others possess deadly finishing touch, but Dejan Kulusevski is becoming an expert at combining energy and application into a well-rounded skill set that makes him a very special threat for Postecoglou’s squad.
This season, in 22 Premier League games, the Swede has five goals and two assists, but his explosive style is what really sets him apart on the right flank.
9AM – James Maddison
James Maddison has been in excellent form, providing an assist and making seven crucial passes in three games, but he has not scored since returning from what seemed like an endless stay on the sidelines last month.
When playing, the England international creates so many opportunities for Tottenham’s attack and is one of the best playmakers in Europe.
10LW – Heung-min Son
Son would be forgiven for returning from the Asia Cup a tad dejected after South Korea’s shock semi-final defeat against Jordan, but the 31-year-old performed with fire against Brighton, delightfully placing Johnson’s assist.
Timo Werner has started all four Premier League matches – racking up two assists – since joining from RB Leipzig on loan last month but will surely move to the bench against Wolves.
11CF – Richarlison
After a truly awful season the previous year, Richarlison has finally come together in recent months, scoring nine goals in his last nine Premier League games.
