Tottenham Hotspur could be without Cristian Romero and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for tonight’s Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon.
The pair missed Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle with minor muscle injuries, but Antonio Conte is hopeful they will be fit to face the Portuguese side this evening. Conte’s options up front are limited as well due to the injuries to forwards Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison.
A decision on Romero will made late. If Romero passes a fitness test, he will most likely replace Davinson Sanchez on the right side of the defense, while Hojbjerg could be back in the team to take the place of either Oliver Skipp or Yves Bissouma. Ben Davies meanwhile is expected to come in and replace Clement Lenglet on the left side.
If Hojbjerg is not fit to start, then Oliver Skipp will almost certainly have to start twice in a row alongside Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur if Conte opts for the 3-5-2 formation again.
Ryan Sessegnon is set to be benched for Ivan Perisic while Emerson Royal is expected to start on the right wing-back position.
Kane and Son will be starting upfront as Conte will not be willing to risk Lucas Moura.
Tottenham lost 2-0 the last time out against Sporting when they collapsed in the last few minutes, conceding 2 quick goals, which was their first defeat of the season.
They have lost two games in a row, against Manchester United and Newcastle indicating a slump in form and Conte will be hoping his team will bounce back with a convincing win over the Portuguese side.
The following predicted line-up is based on the assumption that Romero and Hojbjerg are back fit.
Predicted Tottenham XI (3-5-2): Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Bissouma, Bentancur, Perisic; Son, Kane.
