Tottenham vs. Partizan: How Spurs Should Line Up in Europa League Game

Spirits lifted by Sunday's Premier League win over Hull City, Tottenham Hotspur turn their attentions to progressing in the Europa League as they host Partizan Belgrade at White Hart Lane.

A win would guarantee Tottenham's qualification from Group C to the knockout stage, as would Besiktas beating third-place Asteras Tripolis should the north London club drop points. The former option would preferable, though, giving them a chance of securing first place and a possibly kinder later seeding.

Partizan held Spurs to a 0-0 draw in Serbia but have failed to add to their points tally since then. Mauricio Pochettino's side would be disappointed if they did not ensure that remains the case. Here is how they should line up on Thursday night.

Goalkeeper and Defence

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Vlad Chiriches made his first Tottenham appearance since the start of October against Hull City.

Hugo Lloris is available for selection after missing Tottenham's 2-1 win over Asteras Tripolis through suspension. His head coach has opted to play him in the competition so far this season, but Pochettino should go with Michel Vorm this time.

Spurs play Everton and Chelsea in the space of four days next week, games which Lloris will be starting. Allowing the Frenchman a rest ahead of these while giving Vorm some rare playing time seems the sensible course of action for Partizan.

Team news for Tottenham had not been confirmed at the time of writing. So it is unclear if captain Younes Kaboul can play after missing Hull for an unspecified reason, or if Kyle Walker is ready to start his first match of the season—although both were pictured in action in training on their club's official website.

Even if Kaboul is available, Thursday would be a good opportunity for Pochettino to take a look at two less-utilised players in central defence—in the process resting those more likely to start versus Everton.

Vlad Chiriches came on at right-back against Hull for his first appearance since the Besiktas draw in early October. The Romanian made a costly mistake in that one, but after he contributed to Sunday's turnaround win, he deserves another chance to reiterate his credentials in his preferred position.

Taking another look at Eric Dier at centre-back for the first time since August would seem beneficial, too. With Walker's impending return and Kyle Naughton still around, Dier's minutes at right-back are likely to be limited moving forward. Four months into his Spurs career, now would be the time to check in on how he might fare if called upon centrally again.

Assuming Walker is not quite ready, Naughton is the obvious choice at right-back. PhysioRoom.com still has Danny Rose listed as injured, so Ben Davies will be the man at left-back.

Midfield

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Playing time this season has been hard to come by for Paulinho.

Not selected for Sunday's game with Hull City, Benjamin Stambouli will almost certainly be in Pochettino's starting XI for Partizan.

The Frenchman's aggressive style has helped keep Spurs' play relatively urgent in Europa League games against less high-profile opponents. He will be asked to do so again and should do a good job of it as he continues to adjust to his new club.

Mousa Dembele was not as influential as he or his boss would have liked in the early going against Hull. The difference when Christian Eriksen was moved into his central midfield position in the second half was immediately noticeable. Spurs' passing was more purposeful and penetrating with Eriksen directing them.

Resting Eriksen with big Premier League games ahead for Spurs is logical. In the meantime, Partizan provide Dembele the opportunity to reassert himself as someone who can set the tone for his team entering the opposition final third. With plenty of fixtures coming up heading into December, Pochettino would like to be able to call on the Belgian in a confident mood.

Ahead of Dembele and Stambouli in central attacking midfield should be Paulinho.

Again, Pochettino needs to be careful with his resources with so many matches to come in the next month or so. The Brazilian has struggled to impress this season, but he is an option capable of making a difference against an opponent Spurs should be beating.

If Paulinho does not do so, his prospects at White Hart Lane will not be looking too rosy as the January transfer window looms.

Attack

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Aaron Lennon in action against Partizan back in September.

PhysioRoom.com has Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado as doubtful as of Wednesday lunchtime. On the assumption neither are available, that means Harry Kane leading the Tottenham attack on Thursday night.

Supporting him from the right should be Aaron Lennon.

The winger made arguably his best appearance of the season off the bench against Hull. He was buzzing about right from the moment of his introduction, attracting the attentions of the Tigers and making the most of them by combining well with Chiriches on the outside, and Eriksen and others further inside. The former England international also made a couple of good crosses his team-mates should have done better with.

Earlier in 2014-15, Lennon had struggled to impose himself on games, showing little of the imagination he needed to make up for his diminishing pace. Against Hull, the 27-year-old suggested an improved idea of how to utilise his experience as a wide-man even if he is not as fast as he used to be. Helping to stretch their opponents, already down to 10 men, Spurs certainly benefited from the width he provided.

Against Partizan, Lennon must show Hull was no flash-in-the-pan performance, but rather tangible proof of a player revitalised.

Coming in off the left against the Serbian side is likely to be Erik Lamela.

The Argentinian has thrived in the Europa League in front of his home crowd. With Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend possibly out, he could be required to play regardless.

Additionally, Lamela's presence would provide a little extra continuity to Tottenham's Premier League line-up. Pochettino will hope his penetrative dribbling and willingness to have a pop at goal can help establish an early lead, and then he can be withdrawn early in the second half with Everton in mind.

The Team

Bleacher Report

Paulinho is the unnamed attacking midfielder in the above graphic.

Confirmation of that proposed starting XI in full: 

Goalkeeper: Michel Vorm.

Defence (r to l): Kyle Naughton, Eric Dier, Vlad Chiriches, Ben Davies.

Central midfield: Benjamin Stambouli, Mousa Dembele.

Attacking midfield: Aaron Lennon (c), Paulinho, Erik Lamela.

Striker: Harry Kane.