Tottenham Hotspur could begin the new Premier League season with a dramatically different defence when Roberto De Zerbi’s side travel to Brentford on Saturday.
Spurs have received some encouraging injury news before the 5.30pm kick-off, but Micky van de Ven remains a major doubt after failing to feature throughout pre-season.
The Dutch defender was also absent from training on Wednesday, increasing the prospect of summer arrivals Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi starting together at the heart of the defence.
So how could Tottenham line up against Brentford?
Tottenham predicted XI vs Brentford
De Zerbi may be reluctant to change too much from the side that produced Tottenham’s strongest result of pre-season.
Spurs beat Hoffenheim 3-0 in their final public friendly, with Antonin Kinsky starting behind a back four of Archie Gray, Van Hecke, Senesi and Andy Robertson.
That defensive unit could remain intact.
Pedro Porro is another option on the right, but Gray started the Hoffenheim victory and could retain his place if De Zerbi decides Porro is not yet ready to start following his summer workload.
Van Hecke and Senesi appear the obvious central combination if Van de Ven misses out, while Robertson is well placed to start at left-back with Destiny Udogie still building his fitness.
Tottenham did receive a triple injury boost ahead of the Brentford opener, with Udogie, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke all returning to training.
Mateus Fernandes has also been involved after his recent calf problem.
Starting any of them immediately would carry an element of risk, however, particularly with Maddison and Udogie having played so little football during pre-season.
Mikey Moore could earn Premier League start
Sandro Tonali looks certain to play an important role in De Zerbi’s midfield, while Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher both started alongside him against Hoffenheim.
Further forward, Mikey Moore has given his manager a compelling reason to keep him in the team.
The teenager scored twice during the 3-0 Hoffenheim victory, with both goals created by Mathys Tel.
Tottenham are attempting to strengthen that area before the transfer deadline and are now in talks over a remarkable Savinho and Omar Marmoush double move.
Until another winger arrives, Moore could keep his place on the right.
Richarlison should meanwhile remain favourite to lead the line despite Solanke’s return to training. The Brazilian scored against Hoffenheim and has considerably more recent match sharpness.
Read Tottenham predicted XI: Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Senesi, Robertson; Tonali, Bergvall, Gallagher; Moore, Richarlison, Tel.
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