Tottenham predicted line-up vs Brentford: five changes made as £25m midfielder returns

Games between Tottenham and Brentford are always close, and both teams prepared for this Premier League match by coming from behind to eliminate lower-league sides in the League Cup midweek.

At stake for Tottenham is not just three points, but also the risk of losing four of their first five league games for the first time since 2008, should they fall at home to the Bees. The pressure will be immense on the Lilywhites and their manager Ange Postecoglu if they under-perform, especially with emotions still raw from last weekend’s north London derby defeat to Arsenal.

The good news for Spurs is that Brentford are one of three teams without an away point after two matches this season, but they have had to face Liverpool at Anfield and Manchester City at the Etihad.

Spurs will be boosted by the return to fitness of midfielder Yves Bissouma, who missed both the north London derby and the League Cup win due to a knock he picked up on international duty. However, both Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner were forced off in the victory over Coventry, while Richarlison still looks like he needs some time to return to full team training.

Goalkeeper and Defence

Vicario is one of the best shot-stoppers in the league, and although there are gaps in his game when it comes to set-pieces, he will remain the number one for some time. The defence will see the return of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. The Argentine struggled with recovery after the international break and was left out entirely for the Coventry game.

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Full-backs will also see Pedro Porro take his place on the right, while Destiny Udogie beats competition from Ben Davies to keep his spot.

Midfield

The return of Bissouma, who was signed for £25 million, means Sarr - who came in at number ten in this week’s Premier League Wonderkid Power Rankings - will likely remain on the bench. James Maddison, who started midweek from the bench, also comes back into the team alongside Rodrigo Bentancur.

Maddison carries much of the creative responsibility for Spurs, and the team plays well and is easier to watch when he is on the pitch, even though he hasn't been at his best since returning from an ankle injury last season.

Forwards

The forward line essentially picks itself, with Dominic Solanke as the main striker, flanked by club captain Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson, who scored the winner midweek.

Predicted Team

Vicario; Udogie, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven; Bissouma, Bentancur, Maddison; Son, Johnson, Solanke.