Tottenham Hotspur’s season can be held in high regard by everyone involved with the club thus far. When they famously failed to finish ahead of Leicester City in the Premier League last season, the fall-out was well-documented as Tottenham “Spursed” their dramatic finale.
Third place was something to remain proud of for Spurs supporters. However, Mauricio Pochettino’s ambitions are much superior; the Argentine manager has built on the North Londoners’ impressive finish to ensure they can compete at the summit once again.
Leicester City’s fortunes have turned due to losing a fundamental factor in their title-winning success. N’Golo Kante’s departure has left a gaping hole in Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes’ team, whilst the form of Riyad Marhez and Jamie Vardy can also be questioned.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash, it’s Tottenham who remain clear favourites for the challenge between last season’s formidable title challengers – suggesting a great chance to claim revenge.
Mauricio Pochettino has continually proven his worth in such situations, but it’s imperative he picks the right starting XI to overcome a spirited Leicester side.
GK: Hugo Lloris
In all honesty, there probably isn’t a better goalkeeper in world football right now than the French international.
Since his debut in 2012, Lloris has gone from strength to strength, and his impressive form is finally beginning to earn the plaudits. His leadership, excellent shot stopping and communication ensure his status as the Premier League’s best goalkeeper.
Despite Michel Vorm starting against Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, Lloris will return to the Tottenham side this weekend.
RB: Kyle Walker
After recently making his 200th appearance for Tottenham, Kyle Walker’s career continues to grow exponentially. The England right-back has been a consistent performer over the past two campaigns after his progression appeared to stall.
Walker can lay claim to being one of Europe’s best full-backs as his ability to both attack and defend makes him a fearsome opponent for any team. Walker is rarely absent from Pochettino’s team and he looks certain to start against the Foxes.
CB: Eric Dier
The versatility of Eric Dier ensures he’s always around the first team. The Cheltenham-born youngster spent the majority of his career in defenc, and it was Pochettino’s mindset that enabled him to compete in midfield last season.
Now a full England international, Dier has not looked back. But this Saturday should see him return to defence to partner Jan Vertonghen at the heart of Spurs’ defence in the absence of the latter’s usual partner, Toby Alderweireld.
CB: Jan Vertonghen
Like his compatriot Alderweireld, the Belgian defender remains one of the best centre-backs in the league. Vertonghen’s form alongside Alderweireld has help Tottenham remain the tightest defence in England and the second best in Europe.
Vertonghen rarely receives the majority of praise for his current form. However, it cannot be taken away from the former Ajax defender. The Belgian has been an ever-present for Spurs in the league this season and it shouldn’t change this Saturday.
LB: Danny Rose
He is arguably the country’s best left-back and his form doesn’t look like halting anytime soon. Rose’s energy and dynamism has become vital to Tottenham’s high-pressing style of play which has proved so successful this calendar year.
Pochettino’s managerial style has enabled Rose to become a formidable member of the North Londoners’ title push and he’s made the No.3 shirt his own at White Hart Lane.
CM: Victor Wanyama
While everyone discusses the form of Sadio Mané and the lack of regarding Paul Pogba, nobody is mentioning Victor Wanyama’s importance to this Tottenham side.
In midfield, the Kenyan has been strong, powerful and domineering for Spurs this season. Wanyama’s move from Southampton could prove pivotal by the end of the campaign. With Kante missing for Leicester, Wanyama’s physicality could prove decisive.
CM: Moussa Dembele
When you’re discussing the Premier League’s most underrated players, Moussa Dembele is surely a name at the top of everyone’s list.
His lack of goals for Tottenham is evident. But what he lacks in-front of goal, he makes up for it in the middle of the park.
Dembele will be keen to form a healthy and dominating partnership with Victor Wanyama.
RM: Erik Lamela
Many Tottenham fans are beginning to become rather aggrieved with Erik Lamela’s existence this season.
Lamela’s attitude regarding the penalty decision against Manchester City, when he infamously refused to allow in-form Son Heung-Min to take the spot-kick, didn’t sit well with the Tottenham faithful.
Pochettino continues to show his faith in Lamela despite his lack-of-form, however, and Saturday’s visit of Leicester will probably be no different.
AM: Dele Alli
Better than Frank Lampard we said, Dele Alli’s season is getting better and better. The England international has built on his impressive form of last season and continues to remain one of the first names on the team-sheet.
Crucial goals at crucial moments from Alli have aided Spurs’ impressive start to the season. Saturday’s visit of Leicester will see Tottenham hoping to end a three-game winless win. Alli will be pivotal to the home side’s chances.
LM: Son Heung-Min
Korean forward Son has finally settled in England and his devastating form knows no bounds. The former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder continues to excel for Tottenham in the absence of Harry Kane.
Son has played as the central striker in recent weeks, but Son is likely to drop back into midfield for Saturday’s game. We’ll explain why imminently.
ST: Vincent Janssen
Vincent Janssen’s yet to get off the mark in the English top flight, but the Netherlands international’s work-rate and all-round contribution remains indisputable and it feels like only a matter of time before he’ll find the net.
The striker scored past Liverpool in midweek, albeit by the penalty spot, and we think that momentum could see him break his Premier League duck against the Foxes.