Tottenham could make some changes for the Carabao Cup clash against Nottingham Forest, but are still expected to name a strong team.
Forest host Antonio Conte’s side at the City Ground tonight (Wednesday) in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The game may come as a welcome break from the Premier League after a tough start to the season.
Steve Cooper faces a dilemma ahead of the game as to how many changes he will make to the starting line-up. With just one more Premier League game remaining before the World Cup, the clash vs Spurs could be a chance for some fringe players to make an impact.
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There also could be one eye on the game vs Crystal Palace at the weekend, where Forest have the chance to move off the bottom of the table before the break.
It’s a similar decision facing Spurs boss Conte, with Spurs facing Leeds United at home on Saturday. But there may not be too many changes for the Champions League side, who will have their eyes on making the next round.
According to football.london ’s predicted line-up, there could be five changes to the side that fell to a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool on Sunday. Most significantly, the predicted XI does include England captain Harry Kane.
The striker has scored 11 times in 14 Premier League appearances so far this campaign, including a brace in Spurs’ 2-0 win over Forest at the City Ground earlier this season. Barring injury in the final two games, he will be one of the first names on the team sheet for Gareth Southgate in the upcoming World Cup.
Another big decision for Conte will be whether to give wing-back Djed Spence his full debut at a ground that is familiar to him. The defender spent last season on loan at Forest, playing a significant part in their promotion to the Premier League.
However, football.london predict that the former Forest man will again have to settle for a place on the bench with Matt Doherty preferred in the position. Spence has played a total of just three minutes for Spurs since moving to the club in the summer.
The game could though see goalkeeper Fraser Forster given his debut for Tottenham after moving on a free transfer from Southampton in the summer transfer window. The shot stopper has been an unused substitute in every Spurs game so far.
Football.london’s predicted Spurs XI: 3-5-2: Forster; Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Skipp, Bissouma, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon; Perisic, Kane.
What team would you like to see Cooper select against Spurs? Tell us in the comments section
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