Randal Kolo-Muani axed: Three Tottenham players who must start vs Brentford
Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Cristian Romero should all start as Tottenham aim to beat Brentford on New Year’s Day.
Tottenham beat Crystal Palace 1-0 away from home last time out as Archie Gray’s first senior goal was enough to secure all three points.
That was their first Premier League win in three games since a 2-0 win over Brentford on 6 December, during which Richarlison and Xavi Simons both netted.
Thomas Frank is now aiming to do a quickfire double over his old club, with a win potentially set to lift Spurs back into the top half of the top-flight.
Numerous Tottenham players shone last time out, while some are set to return to action on Thursday, and Football Insider have picked out three who deserve to start in West London.
Wilson Odobert
Randal Kolo-Muani struggled against Palace as he started on the left wing but failed to take a shot on goal and lost five of his nine duels.
Frenchman Odobert is a more natural wide-man, and he impressed as a substitute for his compatriot at Selhurst Park, with a shot that hit the woodwork and a 100 per cent success rate for dribbles and duels.
He has failed to make much of an impact for the Lilywhites this season, but deserves the chance to shine from the off against Brentford in the midst of a busy winter schedule.
Lucas Bergvall
Bergvall has been utilised by Frank in an attacking midfield role in recent weeks due to Simons’ suspension, and should continue his run of starts at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Sweden international hobbled off just after the hour mark against Palace, yet Frank has confirmed that he is “quite positive” that no serious damage was done and he is available for Thursday’s clash.
With Simons still out due to his red card picked up against Liverpool, and Brennan Johnson linked with an imminent move away to Palace, Bergvall looks set to continue in Spurs’ starting eleven for as long as he plays well.
Cristian Romero
Tottenham were without their captain Romero last time out after he was also sent off against the Reds, but he has served his one-match ban and is now back in contention to play at centre-back.
His replacement, Kevin Danso, could have also seen red against Palace after tripping Justin Devenny, but did play well as they kept a much-needed clean sheet.
Romero is Spurs’ captain and best defender, though, and so his return can only mean that Danso is relegated back to the bench for the foreseeable future as the Argentine returns to the starting eleven.