Xavi Simons axed in two changes from Wolves draw – Tottenham predicted XI vs Bodo/Glimt
Tottenham return to action in the Champions League when they travel to face Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night.
The Lilywhites won their first game of the season in continental action on matchday one, as they survived a scare to cling on to a 1-0 win over Villarreal on the opening night of the league phase.
Tottenham needed a stoppage-time Joao Palhinha intervention to avoid defeat to Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday night, and they will be desperate to put that right in midweek.
Thomas Frank has some crucial decisions to make in the aftermath of that draw, and with that in mind, Tottenham News predicts the XI that will turn out in Norway.
Xavi Simons dropped for Brennan Johnson vs Bodo/Glimt
Xavi Simons has struggled at Tottenham so far, as he has largely been tasked with operating on the left flank, rather than in his preferred central position.
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The Netherlands international didn’t provide his usual quality in the draw with Wolves at the weekend, as only 27% of his crosses were accurate, while he also completed just 25% of his dribbles.
Simons created one big chance during the game, but with just one key pass to his name, it still feels like there is a lot more to come from him.
The 22-year-old needs time to settle into life in English football, and with that in mind, Frank may decide to operate for a more natural winger outlet for the trip to the Arctic Circle.
Brennan Johnson has largely struggled for gametime so far during the Dane’s reign, but he was the hero for Spurs on numerous occasions in Europe last season, and he may be relied upon to come in and make an impact.
Frank is expected to revert to the 4-3-3 formation that we have seen several times already, in order to provide slightly more defensive security away from home, and that should see Lucas Bergvall keep his place in the midfield.
Pedro Porro will surely come back into the fold, having been rested on Saturday, with Djed Spence the likely candidate to make way.
Tottenham need a win in Norway on Tuesday
Tottenham’s Champions League campaign will get progressively more difficult, with clashes against the likes of PSG and Borussia Dortmund on the horizon in the second half of the league phase.
With that in mind, it is vital that they pick up points in their early outings if they want to have a strong chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
Bodo/Glimt is a unique away trip at this level of football, and while it certainly represents a potential banana skin for Premier League sides, it is a game that Spurs simply have to win.
They dispatched the Norwegian outfit in the Europa League semi-finals last year, and a similar outcome is much-needed this time around.