Despite a rapid turnaround from their recent 2-0 victory over Fulham, securing their place at the top of the Premier League, Ange Postecoglou faces a challenging decision regarding the Tottenham Hotspur starting lineup for Friday’s match against Crystal Palace. The goal? To secure a fourth consecutive top-flight win.
One intriguing change could involve the return of Yves Bissouma, who was absent from Monday’s match due to suspension, despite featuring in their first eight Premier League games of the season. Meanwhile, his regular midfield partner, Pape Matar Sarr, left the pitch in the second half of the Fulham game. Thankfully, Sarr is expected to be fit for Friday’s contest, with Postecoglou attributing his absence to illness. This suggests that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg might make way for Bissouma, while Oliver Skipp and Giovani Lo Celso add further competition to the mix.
Behind them, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have quickly formed a strong partnership at the heart of the back four and will both keep their places in front of new stopper Guglielmo Vicario.
Meanwhile Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro have both impressed in full-back roles so far this term and should certainly keep their places on the left and right-hand sides respectively, with Ryan Sessegnon and Ivan Perisic remaining sidelined by injuries.
At the attacking end of their 4-2-3-1 shape, the line will again be spearheaded by Son Heung-min, who has already netted seven Premier League goals so far this season, while James Maddison will continue to play a starring role in the middle of a supporting trio, having contributed three goals and five assists in the top flight since his summer arrival from Leicester City.
Despite the absence of Manor Solomon through injury, there is still competition for places on the wings, and Dejan Kulusevski should get the nod on the right-hand side, likely leaving Richarlison and Brennan Johnson to fight for the other spot with Alejo Veliz again expected to settle for an appearance off the bench.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Van De Ven, Romero, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Richarlison; Son