Using two matches remaining inside Premier League season and Tottenham sitting not in the top four, the north London club's fit at Stoke City on Sunday was not able to be more vital.
Sorry to say for Spurs, though, they can't have a good record against the Potters within the last few seasons, especially in matches in the Britannia Stadium.
However, Stoke enter this match all but safe from the pressure of relegation, giving them little incentive to get for the win and increasing the prospect of a letdown.
As a lot is riding on this kind of match for his clb, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas may need to get his tactics just right so that they can give his squad the most effective chance to achieve some much-needed victory.
At keeper, Hugo Lloris has established himself as one of the finest starters in that league. It's hard to imagine the Frenchman not beginning a match except due to injury.
PFA Player within the Year Gareth Bale is often a sure bet at approaching midfielder, where he provides wreaked havoc all year or so.
Kyle Walker has recently been a fixture at right-back and will get the start at this time there while Aaron Lennon's pace previous to him will make for some dangerous attacks down the proper flank.
Captain Michael Dawson is definitely getting the start at center-back, having started the past 17 straight Premier League matches for Tottenham.
In the middle within the park, Belgian Moussa Dembele will wish to make his return following missing Spurs' match along with Chelsea on Wednesday while Scott Parker might be a good option as the crna can help the defense out from the midfield.
Up front, Emmanuel Adebayor is an effective pick over Jermain Defoe not only as a result of Togolese striker's fine results in attack against Chelsea, and because his height and ability to win headers will help Tottenham contend with Stoke's size on arranged pieces.
Gylfi Sigurdsson's equalizer in Stamford Bridge should obtain him the nod around Clint Dempsey and Lewis Holtby, with Sigurdsson starting relating to the left to allow Bale to roam on the middle.
Finally, the most radical change to the lineup comes at the trunk. While Benoit Assou-Ekotto is the first-choice left-back considering his return from personal injury, the Cameroonian has struggled with his defensive duties and is simply not the best in the oxygen.
Hence, a good option can be to push central defender January Vertonghen out wide at which he performed very well in the beginning of the season despite the fact that Assou-Ekotto was injured.
In the spot allowed to remain vacant by Vertonghen during defense, the 21-year-old Steven Caulker can add. Caulker has been very impressive this season, especially within the air. What the young Brit lacks in experience will possibly not hurt him so a lot against Stoke as his aerial ability would be invaluable.
On paper, this defensive shift would work perfectly. The only question about it could be whether it would interrupt the side's rhythm, especially as Dawson in addition to Vertonghen have built a partnership in the target.
Still, the matchups this lineup would create could be advantageous for Tottenham and present them a good chance at leaving the Britannia Stadium which includes a vital three points.
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