With two matches remaining in the Premier League season and Tottenham sitting not in the top four, the north London club's match up at Stoke City on Sunday would not want to be more vital.
Regretably for Spurs, though, they can't have a good log against the Potters during the last few seasons, especially in matches at the Britannia Stadium.
However, Stoke enter this match basically safe from the risk of relegation, giving them little incentive going for the win and increasing it is likely that a letdown.
As a lot is riding on that match for his clb, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas may need to get his tactics just right so as to give his squad the top chance to achieve a good much-needed victory.
At keeper, Hugo Lloris has established himself among the finest starters in this league. It's hard to assume the Frenchman not starting a match except resulting from injury.
PFA Player with the Year Gareth Bale is a sure bet at approaching midfielder, where he provides wreaked havoc all months.
Kyle Walker has already been a fixture at right-back and probably will get the start generally there while Aaron Lennon's pace previous to him will make for some dangerous attacks down the suitable flank.
Captain Michael Dawson is actually getting the start in center-back, having started the past 17 straight Premier League matches for Tottenham.
In the middle within the park, Belgian Moussa Dembele will desire to make his return right after missing Spurs' match along with Chelsea on Wednesday while Scott Parker will be a good option as he will help the defense out of the midfield.
Up front, Emmanuel Adebayor is a superb pick over Jermain Defoe not only with the Togolese striker's fine capabilities in attack against Chelsea, but also because his height and capability to win headers will help Tottenham overcome Stoke's size on arranged pieces.
Gylfi Sigurdsson's equalizer in Stamford Bridge should obtain him the nod over 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 on the lineup comes at the trunk. While Benoit Assou-Ekotto has been the first-choice left-back ever since his return from injury, the Cameroonian has struggled together with his defensive duties and is not really the best in mid-air.
Hence, a good option can be to push central defender Jan Vertonghen out wide where 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 in the center of defense, the 21-year-old Steven Caulker can fill. Caulker has been very impressive this season, especially in the air. What the young Englishman lacks in experience probably won't hurt him so much against Stoke as his aerial ability might possibly be invaluable.
On paper, this defensive shift works perfectly. The only question about it could be whether it would break up the side's rhythm, especially as Dawson together with Vertonghen have built a sexy partnership in the middle.
Still, the matchups this lineup would create might possibly be advantageous for Tottenham and give them a good risk at leaving the Britannia Stadium using a vital three points.
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