Tottenham Hotspur will look to bounce back from their recent defeat to Galatasaray in the Europa League when they face Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon. With just three days between matches, manager Ange Postecoglou is expected to make several changes to the starting XI. Although the squad remains depleted by injuries, a few key players will return, offering hope for a stronger performance. Here’s a closer look at the predicted team for Tottenham’s Premier League clash.
In goal, Guglielmo Vicario will likely replace Fraser Forster, who struggled in the 3-1 loss to Galatasaray. Forster’s poor display in midweek means Vicario will regain the starting position in the league. At the back, with injuries to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Postecoglou may opt for Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies to partner in central defence. Pedro Porro will keep his place at right-back, while Destiny Udogie is expected to come in at left-back, replacing Archie Gray. Udogie was given a rest in the Europa League and should be fresh for this fixture.
In midfield, Yves Bissouma will continue his impressive run of form. The Malian international has firmly established himself as the first-choice holding midfielder, having edged out competition from Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr. His commanding performances make him a crucial presence in Tottenham’s midfield, and he will likely start on Sunday. On the right side of midfield, Dejan Kulusevski is set to return after a brief spell on the bench. The Swedish winger has been in excellent form, providing three assists in his last two starts, and his creativity will be vital to Spurs’ attacking play. Kulusevski is expected to replace Lucas Bergvall, who has featured in recent games but hasn’t made the same impact.
James Maddison, despite a lackluster showing against Galatasaray, is likely to retain his place in the team. Maddison came off the bench in the last Premier League match against Aston Villa to score a stunning free-kick, which could have been enough to keep him in the starting XI for this game. Although his performance in Europe was below his usual standard, his technical ability and set-piece threat make him an important player for Tottenham.
Up front, Son Heung-min will continue to lead the attack from the left wing. Son has been in excellent form this season, and his presence on the flank is a constant threat to opposition defences. Brennan Johnson will likely feature on the right side of attack. Johnson’s pace and direct running provide balance to Spurs’ offensive play, and he will be looking to continue his positive performances. The big change up front is the return of Dominic Solanke, who is expected to start as the central striker in place of Will Lankshear. Solanke has been in excellent form, scoring three goals in his last two appearances, and his sharpness in front of goal will be key to Tottenham’s chances against Ipswich.
Overall, Tottenham’s squad will see a few changes as Postecoglou looks to freshen up the side and address recent underperformance. With players like Kulusevski and Solanke returning, Spurs will hope to return to winning ways in the Premier League, especially after their disappointing result in midweek. The team will be eager to prove themselves and keep pace with the top teams in the league, with Ipswich providing a perfect opportunity to get back on track.