Dier call made, Skipp returns - The Tottenham team Ange Postecoglou should pick vs Bournemouth
Tottenham Hotspur will sign off for 2023 on Sunday afternoon with a home clash against in-form Bournemouth. Following the heavy 4-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, Spurs need to bounce back immediately as they look to end the year on a positive note.
On paper, it may look a home win but Bournemouth cannot be underestimated at all as they are currently top of the Premier League form table having won five of their last six games. As a place in the top four heading into the new year looks unlikely with Man City hosting Sheffield United on Saturday, Spurs need to ensure that their current three-point lead over West Ham remains the same.
So who exactly will Ange Postecoglou select in his Tottenham team after the midweek defeat at Brighton? We asked our Tottenham Hotspur reporters Alasdair Gold and Rob Guest to name the team they reckon the head coach will select.
Postecoglou needs to make a decision about his defence because using four full-backs in a line has now brought nine goals conceded in just three games with the quartet together.
I'd like to see Ashley Phillips or Alfie Dorrington given a chance to start, preparing them for the future with Eric Dier's time at Spurs running toward its conclusion. Phillips has eight Championship games under his belt, so that might swing any potential decision in his favour over Dorrington, who has yet to play a senior match.
Dejan Kulusevski's suspension opens the door for Giovani Lo Celso to return to the left side of the midfield three, while Oliver Skipp is expected to be fit and that would bring in some fresh legs at the expense of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Up front, the options are slim unless Postecoglou wants to give Bryan Gil a chance to impress.
Gold's team: Vicario;
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