£537k/week trio benched amid Romero update – Tottenham vs Roma Predicted XIs
Tottenham Hotspur return to Europa League action this Thursday as they host Serie A giants AS Roma at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The match comes on the heels of Spurs’ stunning 4-0 Premier League victory over Manchester City.
While the dominant win showcased the team’s capabilities, Tottenham will look to bounce back in Europe following their recent 2-1 loss to Galatasaray in Istanbul. Roma, meanwhile, have undergone managerial changes, with Claudio Ranieri taking charge, but the transition has been challenging as evidenced by their 3-0 defeat to league leaders Napoli.
Injury concerns loom over both squads, impacting their preparations. Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed significant setbacks, including the long-term absence of first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who fractured his ankle against Manchester City.
Micky Van de Ven continues to recover from a hamstring injury, while Cristian Romero and Mikey Moore are also sidelined. Richarlison and Wilson Odobert remain unavailable, adding to the selection headache.
Additionally, Will Lankshear is suspended due to a red card received in the Galatasaray match. However, Rodrigo Bentancur returns to the lineup, offering a much-needed boost in midfield.
Tottenham Injury and Suspension Report
| Player | Injury/Suspension | Potential Return Date |
|---|---|---|
| Will Lankshear | Suspended | 01/12/2024 |
| Micky Van de Ven | Hamstring | 21/12/2024 |
| Cristian Romero | Foot | 28/11/2024 |
| Richarlison | Hamstring | 01/01/2025 |
| Wilson Odobert | Hamstring | Unknown |
| Guglielmo Vicario | Ankle | 01/03/2025 |
| Mikey Moore | Knock | 01/12/2024 |
Postecoglou, addressing the injuries in a pre-match press conference, emphasized the long-term nature of Vicario’s absence. He refrained from specifying recovery timelines, stating that further clarity will come during the rehabilitation phase.
For this match, Postecoglou is expected to rotate his squad, providing opportunities to fringe players. Fraser Forster will step in as goalkeeper, supported by a defensive line featuring Djed Spence and Ben Davies.
Rodrigo Bentancur will anchor the midfield alongside Yves Bissouma, while Timo Werner could feature prominently in attack following his impressive cameo against Manchester City. Heung-Min Son and James Maddison are likely to be rested, ensuring their availability for upcoming domestic fixtures.
Tottenham Predicted XI and Substitutes
Predicted Starting XI: Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Johnson, Bergvall, Werner; Solanke.
Predicted Substitutes: Austin (GK), Udogie (DEF), Porro (DEF), Romero (DEF), Sarr (MID), Kulusevski (MID), Maddison (MID), Cassanova (MID), Son (FWD), Moore (FWD), Williams-Barnett (FWD).
On the opposing side, Roma arrive in London with their own set of challenges. Ranieri, recently appointed as manager, has implemented tactical changes but faces difficulties integrating injured and recovering players.
Lorenzo Pellegrini returned from injury during their Napoli defeat, while Paulo Dybala, recovering from fitness concerns, remains doubtful to start. Eldor Shomurodov and Mario Hermoso are confirmed absentees, though Alexis Saelemaekers may rejoin the squad after missing previous games.
Roma Injury and Suspension Report
| Player | Injury | Potential Return Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Hermoso | Knock | 02/12/2024 |
| Alexis Saelemaekers | Ankle | 28/11/2024 |
| Eldor Shomurodov | Muscle | 02/12/2024 |
Ranieri is expected to field an experienced lineup to stabilize the team. Mats Hummels could feature in central defense, providing leadership and solidity. Meanwhile, Pellegrini is likely to start, with Dybala potentially available from the bench. Ranieri’s adjustments will aim to instill cohesion in a side still adapting to his tactical philosophy.
Roma Predicted XI and Substitutes
Predicted Starting XI: Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Hummels, Angelino; El Shaarawy, Kone, Cristante, Saelemaekers; Pellegrini, Dovbyk.
Predicted Substitutes: Ryan (GK), Marin (GK), Ndicka (DEF), Abdullhamid (DEF), Aboubacar (DEF), Pisilli (MID), Zalewski (MID), Paredes (MID), Baldanzi (MID), Dahl (MID), Le Fee (MID), Soule (FWD), Dybala (FWD).
The match promises to be a tactical showdown between Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy and Ranieri’s traditional defensive structure. Both sides are seeking crucial points to advance in the Europa League group stage, with injuries forcing creative solutions in their respective lineups.
For Tottenham, this game offers an opportunity to solidify their European campaign while providing younger talents with valuable minutes. For Roma, it represents a chance to bounce back under new leadership and regain momentum in a challenging season.