Kolo Muani finally starts, as starlet gets his chance to impress – Tottenham predicted XI vs Doncaster Rovers
Tottenham open their Carabao Cup campaign with a home game against Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday night.
The Lilywhites are set to get a break from Premier League action in midweek, as they welcome a side who are flying high in League One after promotion from the fourth tier last term.
Mohammed Kudus caught the eye as Tottenham battled back from a two-goal deficit to snatch a point at Brighton on Saturday, but it is likely to be a very different team that turns out for the upcoming cup encounter.
Thomas Frank has plenty of options available to him ahead of the third round tie, and with that in mind, Tottenham News predicts the Spurs XI that could line up against their third division visitors.
Kolo Muani gets first start as Archie Gray plays in midfield
Randal Kolo Muani was absent for Tottenham in Saturday’s draw on the South Coast, but Frank will be hoping that his dead leg has cleared up in time for him to lead the line on Wednesday.
The Frenchman is continuing to work towards reaching full match fitness, and this is surely the ideal opportunity for him to make his first start, provided that he is fit enough.
Dane Scarlett and the out-of-favour Mathys Tel could make up a new-look front three at the top of the pitch alongside Kolo Muani, with the boss needing to get minutes into the legs of some of his squad players.
Antonin Kinsky is likely to replace Gulgielmo Vicario in goal after his error on Saturday. The former was the Lilywhites’ cup goalkeeper in the second half of last season, and is expected to take on the same role this time around.
- Gray has played just 72 minutes of Premier League football so far in 2025/26
- He completed 38 of his 41 attempted passes in the win over Burnley
- He also notched an impressive eight defensive contributions in that game
The Doncaster clash should also provide Archie Gray with another chance to impress in his natural position.
The 19-year-old starlet has found regular minutes hard to come by so far this term, and will be hoping to replicate an impressive opening-day display in the middle of the park, which saw him complete 93% of his passes in the commanding win over Burnley.
Thomas Frank to hand Tottenham youth a chance
Luca Williams-Barnett has continually impressed for Tottenham of late, and it would be no surprise to see him play a part in the matchday squad in midweek.
The 16-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best young talents coming through the ranks in N17, and he has already made a seamless adaptation to Premier League 2 football this season.
Winger Tynan Thompson and centre-back Jun’ai Byfield could also form part of the academy contingent that join the first teamers, with Frank likely to include youth on the bench with the view to handing out debuts in the latter stages of the game.
However, the Dane will want to counteract that with enough proven firepower on the bench to turn the game if things do not work out.
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