Tottenham face a short, but difficult trip to play Chelsea on Saturday at Stamford Bridge for match day 29 of the English Premier League. Spurs have not won at their London rivals’ home in the last 24 years, but must take something out of this match in order to stay in the race for Champions League qualification. Tim Sherwood’s side got a difficult but crucial win at home against Cardiff last time out, thanks to a Roberto Soldado goal and the manager hopes that the Spaniard will continue his revival. Sherwood could name an unchanged side for the Chelsea match in a 4-4-2 formation. Let’s take a look at his options.
Goalkeeper
Hugo Lloris is the undisputed no.1 at Tottenham and the Frenchman will definitely start against Chelsea.
Defence
There are some problems for Sherwood to tackle in defence. Centre back Vlad Chiriches and full back Danny Rose are out, while there will be late fitness tests for Younes Kaboul, Kyle Walker and Zeki Fryers. The latter is the most probable to start on the left, with Kyle Naughton on the right and Michael Dawson alongside Jan Vertonghen as a central defensive partnership.
Midfield
Ettiene Capoue is out for Spurs and Christian Eriksen is doubtful. Sherwood was happy with the way his midfield performed last time out and could remain faithful to the same players. Aaron Lennon will play on the right, with Andros Townsend a probable starter on the left. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Nacer Chadli are alternatives for this role. Paulinho and Dembele could retain their places in central midfield, with Sandro and Nabil Bentaleb challenging for a place, especially if Sherwood prefers to play with one striker.
Strikers
There are not many alternatives for Sherwood in attack. In a 4-4-2 both Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado start, while the Togolese striker could be preferred up front if the manager decides to add a man in midfield.
Probable lineup: Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Vertonghen, Fryers; Lennon, Paulinho, Dembele, Townsend; Adebayor, Soldado.
