Tottenham projected starting XI at Southampton: No Lloris for Spurs

French keeper will likely miss out</a> due to illness.</p> <p>Frankly, that isn’t any excuse for Tottenham to stumble. The Saints enter the match in the relegation zone and are struggling mightily. Unless Michel Vorm has a complete disaster in-goal, Pochettino will expect his side to prevail.</p> <p>That doesn’t mean it will be easy though. Southampton are a mess at the moment, but they’re a dangerous, wounded animal. They’d like nothing more than to steal a result on their home ground. The club definitely have more talent than they’ve shown this season.</p> <p>Even so, Tottenham can’t afford to drop any points. Every one of their neighbours in the Premier League table managed to win yesterday. That means that Pochettino’s squad must emerge victorious if they’re going to keep pace. Read on to discover the 11 men Tottenham will trust to get the job done on the South Coast.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Fullbacks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_447859" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-447859" src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F01%2F901298466-tottenham-hotspur-v-west-ham-united-premier-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: Serge Aurier of Tottenham in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Wembley Stadium on January 4, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2><em>Right back-Serge Aurier</em></h2> <p>Full credit to the former PSG man for taking hold of the starting spot at right back. Expect Pochettino to hand Aurier another start in this crucial Premier League fixture.</p> <div class="related-category right"> <div class="related-main-title">More from <span class="related-name">Tottenham Hotspur</span></div> <ul> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/10/bayern-munich-reach-agreement-harry-kane/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Bayern Munich reach agreement for Harry Kane</a> </li> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/03/18/antonio-conte-scorched-earth-tottenham/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Antonio Conte goes scorched earth on Tottenham</a> </li> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2022/07/07/clement-lenglet-set-join-tottenham-loan/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Clement Lenglet set to join Tottenham on loan</a> </li> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2022/06/30/tottenham-set-sign-richarlison/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Tottenham set to sign Brazilian Richarlison</a> </li> <li> <a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2022/05/25/tottenham-hotspur-outlast-arsenal-ucl/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Tottenham Hotspur hold off Arsenal for Champions League spot</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p>Aurier will be counted on heavily to keep Ryan Bertrand at bay. Southampton’s left back tries to get forward early and often, but Aurier has the pace and athleticism to keep him pinned back. The more Aurier can make Bertrand defend, the better off his club will be.</p> <h2><em>Left back-Ben Davies</em></h2> <p>This is a pretty easy selection for Pochettino. Unless he wants to pull a massive surprise and deploy Kyle Walker-Peters, he has to go with Davies.</p> <p>The Welshman will be presented with a fairly simple matchup. Cedric Soares would like to get forward, but he doesn’t have the required pace to really trouble Davies. Other than that, Davies just needs to stay close to James Ward-Prowse to make sure he can’t pick out a deadly pass.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Central Defense </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_447860" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-447860" src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F01%2F904529580-tottenham-hotspur-v-everton-premier-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 13: Cenk Tosun of Everton runs with the ball under pressure from Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Wembley Stadium on January 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2><em>Centre back-Davinson Sanchez</em></h2> <p>Pochettino will have an interesting decision to make when Toby Alderweireld returns to the lineup, but the talented Belgian is still a match or two away from returning to full fitness. As such, Sanchez is an easy choice for his manager in this one.</p> <p>As usual, the physical Colombian will be counted on as the club’s last line of defense. He may have to work a bit harder to stay in step with Vorm, but it shouldn’t be more than Sanchez can handle. He may be required to come up big on an occasion or two, but he should enjoy long periods of inactivity.</p> <h2><em>Centre back-Jan Vertonghen</em></h2> <p>Slowly but surely, Vertonghen keeps playing truly outstanding football for Spurs. He may not be as flashy as Sanchez or Alderweireld, but he’s every bit as effective for Pochettino.</p> <p>Given Tottenham’s likely advantage in terms of possession in this match, Vertonghen will want to get forward with the ball. He needs to make sure he doesn’t get too carried away. Shane Long is at his best on the counter attack. Vertonghen can’t give him an opening to put Spurs on the back foot.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Defensive Midfield </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_447081" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-447081" src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F01%2F900747900-swansea-city-v-tottenham-hotspur-premier-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 02: Renato Sanches of Swansea City (l) is challenged by Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Liberty Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2><em>Defensive midfielder-Victor Wanyama</em></h2> <p>I’m counting on the outstanding Kenyan to make his overdue return to the starting XI in the Premier League. He’s had plenty of time to fully recover from the injury that cost him most of his season.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Playing for 90</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/13/leon-juarez-playoffs/"> Leon edges scrappy FC Juarez to secure spot in playoffs </a> </li><li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/megan-rapinoe-career-defined-more-farewell-match-injury/"> Megan Rapinoe’s career defined by more than farewell match injury </a> </li><li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/barcelona-manage-comeback-alaves/"> Lewandowski scores twice as Barcelona come back to beat Alaves 2-1 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/liga-mx-leon-puebla-finales/"> León chasing play-in spot; Puebla aims for higher seeding </a> </li><li> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/tigres-goalie-america/"> Carlos Rodríguez emerges with clean sheet vs league leaders </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>For all of Southampton’s struggles, their midfield will present an interesting challenge for Tottenham. The combination of Oriol Romeu and Mario Lemina offer quite an intriguing mix of pace and skill. Spurs will need Wanyama to be at his best to keep control of the middle of the pitch.</p> <h2><em>Defensive midfielder-Eric Dier</em></h2> <p>This was the hardest call of the starting XI for me. On one hand, Mousa Dembele would be a terrific choice against the Saints’ midfield. On the other hand, Pochettino seems determined to leave Dier in the starting XI.</p> <p>In the end, Dier gets the nod because of his offensive versatility. He, more than any other Spurs midfielder likes to carry the ball into the final third. If Southampton set up defensively, Pochettino will need Dier to play more like an attacker than a defender.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Attacking Midfield </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_447536" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-447536" src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F01%2F904547176-tottenham-hotspur-v-everton-premier-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 13: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides fourth goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Wembley Stadium on January 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2><em>Attacking midfielder-Dele Alli</em></h2> <p>Southampton’s mediocre central defense must seem like an absolute bullseye to Dele. He’s the perfect man to take advantage of the Saints’ biggest weakness.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia"> <div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_447852" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/Playingfor90/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet") .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The key for Dele, as always, will be for him to avoid being wasteful with the ball at his feet. Sometimes, he makes the game too complicated for his own good. Even so, he can erupt with real moments of brilliance out of absolutely nowhere. Don’t doubt his ability to score a key goal in this fixture.</p> <h2><em>Attacking midfielder-Christian Eriksen</em></h2> <p>The Southampton defense is also a terrific matchup for Eriksen. He will expect to have plenty of time and space on the ball against the Saints.</p> <div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/DQ89acn4yOc?start=178&amp;feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <p>When Spurs are playing their best football, Eriksen is pulling the strings. He doesn’t always score goals to help his club, but his passing ability often unlocks acres of space for his teammates. Southampton would be well served to try to make him as uncomfortable as possible.</p> <h2><em>Attacking midfielder-Heung-Min Son</em></h2> <p>In many ways Erik Lamela is the better fit to play in this match, but it’s impossible to keep Son out of the starting XI given his current run of form. Outside of Harry Kane, the South Korean is the club’s most dangerous offensive weapon at the moment.</p> <p>It would be a massive plus for Spurs if he could develop a bit more chemistry with his fullbacks. Both Aurier and Davies seem to lack some understanding of when to overlap when they’re deployed on the same side as Son. His increased playing time as of late should help the club overcome these sorts of inconsistencies.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Striker and Keeper </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_447862" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-447862" src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F01%2F904606950-tottenham-hotspur-v-everton-premier-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 13: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Wembley Stadium on January 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) |</p> </div> </div> <h2><em>Striker-Harry Kane</em></h2> <p>The Spurs talisman is the best centre forward in all of Europe at the moment. He did miss one day of training during the week, but that won’t be enough to push Fernando Llorente into the starting XI.</p> <p>Kane’s dogged determination to receive the ball in dangerous areas is his best attribute. He’ll prove to be an absolute nightmare for Southampton’s back line. In particular, the Saints defense will need to avoid being mesmerized by Kane’s movement off the ball. When that happens, the rest of Tottenham’s attack can really make you pay.</p> <h2><em>Keeper-Michel Vorm</em></h2> <p>There’s an outside shot that Lloris will recover in time to make the starting XI, but I’m not counting on it. If he’s anything less than fully fit, Vorm deserves to take his place.</p> <div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/21/tottenham-projected-starting-xi-southampton-no-lloris-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2018/01/20/tottenhams-big-transfer-move-signals-tactical-shift-pochettino/">