The midweek victory against Borussia Dortmund has provided Tottenham Hotspur with a rare and much-needed injection of optimism. With four consecutive home wins and a string of clean sheets in the Champions League, the North London club has successfully navigated its way into the knockout play-off round.
A final win in Frankfurt could even see them bypass that stage entirely, catapulting Thomas Frank’s men directly into the round of 16. However, before the glitz of European football returns, Spurs must turn their focus to the gritty reality of the Premier League.
A trip to Turf Moor to face Scott Parker’s Burnley is next on the agenda, and despite the Clarets sitting 19th in the standings, their recent draws against heavyweights like Liverpool and Manchester United suggest that this will be anything but a walk in the park.
Thomas Frank is currently managing a squad that looks more like a crowded infirmary than a professional football team. The injury list is staggering, and the latest casualty is teenage sensation Lucas Bergvall.
The youngster suffered a significant ankle injury during the Dortmund clash, adding to the long-term absences that have haunted the club this season. Furthermore, the manager must navigate the precarious fitness levels of key personnel.
Dominic Solanke just completed his first start in eight months, while Destiny Udogie is still finding his rhythm after seven weeks on the sidelines. Perhaps most concerning is the situation with Xavi Simons, who has been showing immense bravery by playing through the pain of a badly swollen ankle.
In the middle of the park, Frank has some difficult choices to make. Because new arrival Conor Gallagher is not yet registered for European competition, he is fresh and hungry to return to domestic action.
Yves Bissouma also finds himself in a strong position to start after a commanding performance against West Ham recently. While young Archie Gray was exceptional against Dortmund, Frank may be tempted to “wrap him in cotton wool” to ensure he is ready for the Frankfurt decider, especially since Gallagher and Bissouma are ineligible for that specific trip.
There is also a slim chance that Joao Palhinha could be fit enough to participate, though he is currently locked in a race against time.
The attacking third offers some variety, even with the injury crisis. Mathys Tel is a strong candidate to return to the starting eleven, and Pape Matar Sarr is back in the fold following Senegal’s triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Although Sarr missed the final celebrations due to illness, he has since recovered and is available for selection. One of the most intriguing storylines heading into the weekend is the arrival of Souza.
The nineteen-year-old Brazilian left-back was officially announced on Thursday. If his international clearance arrives in time, he could theoretically make the bench.
However, having not played a competitive match in over a month following the conclusion of the Brazilian season, his match sharpness is likely far below the required standard for a Premier League debut.
The defensive selection remains a point of contention among observers. While Kevin Danso has been a model of consistency lately, the general consensus is that a back-five or back-three system would be far too defensive for a match against a team in the relegation zone.
This leaves Frank with the difficult task of picking two from three high-caliber center-backs: Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Danso. It is widely expected that Romero and Van de Ven will resume their partnership, supported by Pedro Porro and Djed Spence on the flanks.
| Position | Gold’s Predicted XI | Taylor’s Predicted XI |
| Goalkeeper | Vicario | Vicario |
| Defenders | Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence | Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence |
| Midfielders | Gallagher, Bissouma | Gallagher, Gray |
| Attacking Mid | Odobert, Xavi Simons, Tel | Odobert, Xavi Simons, Tel |
| Forward | Solanke | Solanke |
The debate over who leads the line is perhaps the most critical. Dominic Solanke is undoubtedly the preferred choice, but asking him to start twice in just a few days after such a long layoff is a massive risk.
Some believe Randal Kolo Muani might be the safer bet to avoid a Solanke setback, but the pull of playing the big striker is hard to ignore. Whatever the final selection, Tottenham knows they cannot afford to let their European momentum slide.
Burnley is desperate for points to avoid the drop, and Frank must find the perfect balance between rotating his tired stars and putting out a team strong enough to dominate at Turf Moor.
