Matthew Chadder

Wed 3 January 2024 19:40, UK

Tottenham will get their 2023/24 FA Cup campaign underway when they host Premier League strugglers Burnley in the third round of the completion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday 5 January.

Spurs will take a break from Premier League action and begin their FA Cup journey as they look to end a trophy drought which has stretched almost 16 years.

With no European football on the agenda this year, Ange Postecoglou’s chances of marking his debut season in north London with a trophy rest upon the FA Cup and Premier League – with the cup likely the more favourable route to success.

Postecoglou’s debut in English Cup competition didn’t go as planned when Spurs were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in just the second round by Fulham back in August.

He will be hoping for a much more enjoyable evening on Friday but is still likely to make numerous changes for the clash after a gruelling December fixture schedule which has left his squad rather depleted.

Guglielmo Vicario could be dropped for the first time since the defeat at Craven Cottage for Fraser Forster, who started that night. While he didn’t save any of the penalty kicks in the shootout, he did make three saves from inside the box and did very little to suggest he shouldn’t be trusted against Burnley (Sofascore).

Spurs’ defensive options are extremely limited at the moment, which will likely force Postecoglou to start Destiny Udogie on the left flank, with the Itallian excelling last time out, registering one last-man tackle, winning all four of his ground duels and completing 81 per cent of his passes in the 3-1 home win against Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve.

Pedro Porro could be offered a rest, with Emerson Royal an option at right-back. The Brazillian played as a central defender against Bournemouth, winning four of his six ground duels and five of his nine aerial duels, but could return to his preferred position for the visit of Burnley.

Postecoglou could bring Eric Dier in for a rare start, with the Englishman making one interception in his cameo against the Cherries. Davies is unlikely to be dropped considering the Wales international’s form and lack of options behind him and will feel confident going into the clash after completing 93 per cent of his passes and winning four of his five ground duels last time out.

In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur is likely to start his second consecutive match as he looks to continue building up his fitness after his return from injury. Giovani Lo Celso shone against Bournemouth and hasn’t played many minutes in recent weeks, which means he is likely to keep his place.

The Argentina international completed 92 per cent of his passes, with two of those being key, and provided a wonderful assist for Son Heung-min against Bournemouth. Oliver Skipp could replace Pape Matar Sarr, who was forced off with an injury against Bournemouth and will hope to return to fitness in time to compete at AFCON with Senegal this month.

Skipp replaced Sarr when he came off against Andoni Iraola’s side, and he will be looking to make a better impression this time around after losing three of his five ground duels and playing zero key passes after coming on.

At left wing, Bryan Gil will likely be handed another opportunity to prove himself having struggled when he came on against Bournemouth, failing with his one dribble attempt and missing one big chance. Dejan Kulusevski was suspended for the visit of the Cherries and will be well rested and could therefore be thrown back into the mix against Vincent Kompany’s side.

Richarlison is likely to continue up front with Alejo Veliz injured and Dane Scarlett the club’s only other senior striking option. The Brazillian scored his fifth goal in as many games last time out and will look to keep his goalscoring run going.

In other Tottenham news, one Spurs expert has mooted a January loan for an Under-21 star at the club after a recent Fabrizio Romano update.