Tottenham predicted line-up against Wolves
An increasingly divided fan base will no doubt start to turn in unison if Tottenham Hotspur fail to finish 2024 on a high.
There is a seemingly endless list of figures and circumstances to blame for Spurs’ current malaise, with a Boxing Day defeat at Nottingham Forest leaving the Lilywhites firmly entrenched in mid-table obscurity.
Ange Postecoglou has guided Spurs to their worst ever first half aa Premier League season since 2008/09, but many factions of the fan base still believe he is the man to turn the club’s fortunes around. Still, Sunday’s bout looks seismic.
The squad remains depleted and the boss is still short of options in key areas of the pitch. This has been the case for much of his term.
Here’s how Tottenham could line up against Wolves in their final outing of 2024.
GK: Fraser Forster – Shaky footwork aside, Forster has generally been fine between the sticks for Spurs and is hardly at the forefront of their concerns. He will continue to start while Guglielmo Vicario nurses a broken ankle.
RB: Pedro Porro – Porro’s form has suffered from the overload this season. He plays such a demanding role, and the respite provided by Djed Spence should have been welcome. However, Spence is suspended on Sunday, so Porro will be back.
CB: Archie Gray – You wouldn’t say Gray has been a shining light as such, but the teenager has acquitted himself remarkably well given the situation he’s been thrust into.
CB: Yves Bissouma – Radu Dragsuin is a doubt for Sunday after picking up a knock on his ankle on Christmas Day and Ben Davies has been ruled out, leaving Postecoglou with defensive injury crisis. Midfielder Yves Bissouma could be forced out of defense as an emergency replacement.
LB: Destiny Udogie – It has been a stop-and-start campaign for Udogie, who has struggled mightily for consistency. Although his workload has contributed to his indifferent form, you feel the Italian now needs a string of games in the side.
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – After six weeks on the sidelines, Bentancur could be in line for his second start in four days.
CM: Pope Sarr – Sarr has played well this season and acted as one of the axes. The spurs require their legs in the middle of the park.
CM: James Maddison – Maddison was unable to impact proceedings from the bench on Christmas Day and looks likely to return to the XI given his form in recent weeks. So far it has been a productive individual campaign.
RW: Dejan Kulusevski – Ange will want Kulusevski and Maddison to work in creative tandem without sacrificing midfield control. The Swede has starred in the center this season, but can also perform excellently on the outside.
ST: Dominic Solanke – The arrival of summer is no Harry Kanebut he has enjoyed a good start to his career at Tottenham. There is no chance of him leaving the XI on Sunday.
LW: Son Heung-min – Son can’t really cope with the demands of a Premier League schedule, but Ange’s options in the reserves are so underwhelming that the skipper will probably have to trot out from the start this weekend.