After an intense midweek showdown in the Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur must quickly refocus on domestic action as they prepare for a crucial Premier League clash against Fulham on Sunday afternoon. Spurs delivered a dramatic 3-2 aggregate comeback victory over AZ Alkmaar, securing their place in the Europa League quarter-finals. However, the quick turnaround presents a significant challenge for Ange Postecoglou’s squad, who now face a London derby at Craven Cottage with minimal recovery time.
While Tottenham had to exert considerable energy on Thursday night, Marco Silva’s Fulham side will have a clear advantage in terms of freshness, having enjoyed eight days of rest and preparation since their last fixture. This scheduling disparity could force Postecoglou to make tactical adjustments and rotate his squad carefully to avoid fatigue while maintaining the team’s momentum.
Postecoglou’s Selection Dilemma
Given the demanding schedule, Postecoglou will need to carefully consider his starting XI, ensuring key players remain fresh while also fielding a side capable of securing three points. The challenge will be balancing stability with squad rotation, particularly with some players still regaining full match fitness.
Football.London’s Tottenham correspondents, Alasdair Gold and Rob Guest, have shared their expected lineups for the match, offering insights into who might be rested and who could step in.
Alasdair Gold’s Predicted Tottenham Lineup
Postecoglou must manage his squad wisely, especially considering that several key players have already played two high-intensity matches in quick succession. Defenders like Cristian Romero and match-winner Wilson Odobert—who both played significant roles against AZ Alkmaar—could be at risk of overexertion if they are asked to start again.
With this in mind, Gold expects fresh legs to come into the lineup, with the likes of Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Brennan Johnson potentially returning to the starting XI. Youngsters Archie Gray and Mathys Tel could also be included, depending on the extent of squad rotation.
Another factor to consider is the status of Son Heung-min and James Maddison, both of whom were rested from the starting XI against Bournemouth last weekend. With two days of recovery before Fulham and an upcoming international break, Postecoglou may feel comfortable starting both players.
Additionally, while Djed Spence has been a regular presence, Postecoglou previously mentioned the need to manage his workload. Given that Spence missed out on the latest England squad, he will have a two-and-a-half-week break after Sunday, meaning he may still be included in the lineup before getting an extended rest.
Gold’s Predicted XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Vicario
Defenders: Spence, Gray, Van de Ven, Udogie
Midfielders: Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison
Forwards: Johnson, Solanke, Son
Rob Guest’s Predicted Tottenham Lineup
Guest acknowledges that Tottenham have an opportunity to build momentum following their impressive Europa League victory. Since this is the last game before the March international break, there is a possibility that Postecoglou could opt for an unchanged lineup. However, some alterations are still likely.
One expected change is Destiny Udogie returning to the starting XI, which would see Djed Spence given a well-earned rest. Postecoglou has already hinted that Spence would be rotated, and with an international break ahead, Sunday’s fixture presents an ideal moment for that switch.
Another potential concern is the fitness of Micky van de Ven, who has only recently returned from injury. Given his importance to the squad, Spurs may opt to manage his minutes carefully rather than risk overloading him so soon.
In midfield, Pape Matar Sarr might be rotated out, allowing Rodrigo Bentancur to return to the lineup after serving a suspension in midweek. Meanwhile, attacking options such as Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel could be in line for starts, providing fresh energy in the final third. Despite his decisive goal against AZ, Wilson Odobert might be given a breather, with Postecoglou keen to ensure he is not overused.
Guest’s Predicted XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Vicario
Defenders: Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie
Midfielders: Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison
Forwards: Tel, Solanke, Son
Key Tactical Considerations
Managing Fatigue and Rotation
With just two days of rest, Spurs must be strategic in their lineup selection. Players like Cristian Romero, Wilson Odobert, and Micky van de Ven have recently returned from long layoffs and may need to be carefully managed.
The Importance of Fresh Legs
Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Brennan Johnson could all provide much-needed energy in key positions, helping maintain Tottenham’s high-intensity pressing game.
Son and Maddison’s Influence
Both Son and Maddison were rested against Bournemouth, which could prove crucial in allowing them to start two games in quick succession without risk of fatigue.
Defensive Stability
Fulham possess dangerous attacking options, including Rodrigo Muniz and Andreas Pereira, meaning Postecoglou must ensure his backline remains solid despite potential changes.
Final Thoughts
Tottenham’s trip to Craven Cottage presents a tricky challenge, not just because of Fulham’s recent form but also due to the quick turnaround from Thursday night’s Europa League thriller. Managing squad depth will be crucial for Postecoglou as he aims to keep Spurs in the Premier League’s top-four race while balancing their European ambitions.
While both Gold and Guest expect changes, the core of Tottenham’s attack and midfield should remain strong, giving them a solid chance of overcoming Fulham’s fresh-legged squad. With the international break looming, Spurs will be determined to end this phase of the season on a high note and continue building momentum.
Odobert and 2 other first teamers Out- Ange Postecoglou reveals surprise players he will pick to face Fulham in place of the absentee trios
