Bale starts & £36m-rated ace axed, Mourinho makes 6 changes: Predicted Spurs XI v LASK – opinion

Tottenham Hotspur kick off their Europa League campaign later this evening as they welcome Group J rivals LASK Linz to north London.

Jose Mourinho will be looking for a response from his squad after they threw away a three-goal lead over West Ham on Sunday night, though they remain unbeaten since an opening day defeat to Everton.

What is your prediction for Spurs vs LASK?

Spurs win

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Draw

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LASK win

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It is the Lilywhite’s first venture into the Europa League since 2017 after they were knocked out by Gent in the last 32 round having failed to make it past the group stages in the Champions League.

The congested fixture list this season, much of which Spurs have already had to deal with, gives Mourinho plenty to consider – so here’s how he could line up his starting XI here tonight…

There could be as many as six changes to the side that squandered those two additional points at the weekend.

Gareth Bale is in line to make his full debut after his cameo in the second half against the Hammers, he had a golden chance to win it late on but he was evidently rusty, so an hour or so from the off tonight makes a ton of sense.

Another player who could make their maiden Spurs bow is Carlos Vinicius, though he may have to wait with Harry Kane likely to get the nod to start.

Both Harry Winks and Lucas Moura were also brought on off the bench by Mourinho on Sunday, so they will surely be named in the starting lineup this time around with Moussa Sissoko and Heung-min Son being dropped, the latter is worthy of some much-needed rest.

In defence, both Ben Davies and Matt Doherty could come back into the side with Sergio Reguilon and Serge Aurier making way.

Joe Rodon isn’t eligible to play this evening, so a central defensive pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez seems likely with both Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga injured.

Giovani Lo Celso was confirmed to be back in training this week and he may well be handed a starting role over the £36m-rated Tanguy Ndombele, but there is still no place for Dele Alli.

Whilst Spurs youngster Jack Clarke could feature from the bench late on.

AND in other news, Fresh Spurs contract for £18m-rated LIABILITY would be a DISASTER waiting to happen…