Tottenham boss Antonio Conte faces a big decision in his front three for Thursday’s Premier League game against Manchester City, with Richarlison available following a cameo in Sunday’s defeat by Arsenal.
The Brazilian could start ahead of the out-of-form Heung-min Son but the latter is usually effective against City, with Conte already predicting his side will enjoy no more than “20 or 25 per cent possession” – suggesting a counter-attacking approach which should suit the South Korean.
Rodrigo Bentancur is set to return to the midfield for the first time since before the World Cup after recovering from an adductor strain, with 20-year-old Pape Matar Sarr expected to make way after a surprise full League debut in the north London derby.
Ivan Perisic will also be aiming to come back in at left wing-back after Conte’s surprise decision to start Ryan Sessegnon at the weekend.
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The rest of Spurs’ back five could remain unchanged, although there is little to choose between Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty, or Clement Lenglet and Ben Davies.
Tottenham predicted XI (3-4-3): Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Perisic; Kulusevski, Kane, Son.
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte confirms selection boost for Man City fixture
The Spurs boss has confirmed Uruguay star Rodrigo Bentancur will be available for the first time since before the World Cup.
Conte has provided an injury update for Tottenham. (Image: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Tottenham have been handed a major selection boost for their Premier League fixture with Manchester City.
Beaten in the Manchester derby last time out, Pep Guardiola and his star-studded City side quickly return to action at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night (8pm) against London opponents. Despite their recent dip in form, Tottenham are still sitting fifth in the standings, although they have only picked up four points from a possible 12.
During that stretch, Antonio Conte has been without influential Uruguay international Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been nursing an adductor injury picked up at the World Cup. However, the 25-year-old is back available for Conte as the manager contemplates throwing the former Juventus player straight back in against the reigning champions.
Providing a selection update in his pre-match press conference, Conte said: “Team news is like I said after the game against Arsenal, Rodrigo Bentancur trained with us and he’s available. He will be available for the game against City.”
Despite that boost, Tottenham will still be without Brazil forward Lucas Moura for the midweek meeting. No return date has been mapped out for his recovery from a tendon problem.
Tottenham welcomed Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison back for the North London derby – which saw them soundly beaten 2-0 by Arsenal as the Gunners extended their lead at the Premier League summit to eight points. That means Moura is their only confirmed absentee for the impending showdown with City.
City will close the gap on Arsenal to five points with victory against Tottenham on Thursday night. However, even in that best-case scenario, they will have played an extra game.
Source: standard.co.uk; manchestereveningnews.co.uk
