Ange Postecoglou to axe Pedro Porro – Tottenham predicted XI v Everton
Ange Postecoglou could axe Pedro Porro when Tottenham travel to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
Postecoglou is in desperate need of three points at Goodison Park on 19 January, with the Australian expected to be sacked should Spurs fail to claim victory on Merseyside.
Therefore, the Spurs boss will need to get his team selection spot on and could have Ben Davies available for selection again [via Football London, 17 January], which would provide the 59-year-old with the opportunity to make some changes in defence.
Ange Postecoglou to axe Tottenham defender Pedro Porro v Everton
Antonín Kinský will expect to keep his place between the sticks despite a nervy performance in the 2-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium (15 January).
Porro also struggled against the Gunners, winning just 40 per cent of his ground duels and only providing one accurate cross from six attempts [Sofascore] with Arsenal star Leandro Trossard making a fool of the Spaniard in the first half. However, unlike Kinský, Porro could be axed off the back of his poor showing.
With Davies likely to return, Djed Spence could be moved to right-back in place of Porro, while the Welshman fills in on the left. This would see Archie Gray and Radu Drăgușin continue as the centre-back pairing, with the former making seven clearances and completing 88 per cent of his passes against Arsenal, while the latter won three of his four ground duels.
In midfield, Postecoglou could be without Yves Bissouma, which might not be of too much concern considering the Mali international’s display on Wednesday. Therefore, James Maddison could be required to return to a Premier League starting lineup for the first time in five matches, with the Englishman expected to seek a Spurs exit after being left out against the Gunners – with problems mooted between the player and Postecoglou.
Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall will likely keep their places alongside Maddison. Bergvall impressed against Arsenal, winning 10 of his 14 ground duels and completing 93 per cent of his passes, while Sarr was slightly underwhelming as he lost all four of his aerial duels and was dribbled past once.
However, with a lack of options in the squad, it looks as though Postecoglou has little choice but to start the Senegal international.
Ange Postecoglou to name unchanged Tottenham attack v Everton
In attack, Brennan Johnson is a doubt, which means Dejan Kulusevski will likely keep his place on the right, which is perhaps deserved after the Swede played four key passes and succeeded with 100 per cent of his dribble attempts in the North London derby.
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min will likely keep his place alongside Dominic Solanke.
The South Korean did score against Arsenal, but also only managed 24 touches of the ball before being hooked in the 78th minute for Richarlison.
As for Solanke, he was unfortunate to put the ball into his own net and cut a tired figure up front, but still managed to win 100 per cent of his ground duels.
In other Tottenham news, the club are in pursuit of an English defender as a £25m-plus bid is made.
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