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Here's the Tottenham team we reckon Thomas Frank will select to face his old team Brentford in the Premier League on New Year's Day
Tottenham will be looking for another positive derby result on the road at Brentford on New Year's Day.
Spurs took home a 1-0 win from Crystal Palace thanks to Archie Gray's header. However, recent victories under Thomas Frank have been followed up with poor performances so the Dane will be hoping his team take a proper step forward this time as they visit his former home, the Gtech Community Stadium.
Tottenham are without the suspended Xavi Simons as he serves the second of a three-game ban. The injured Dominic Solanke has returned to working with the team in training, but remains out with Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie and James Maddison, while Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Frank admitted that Lucas Bergvall is a doubt with an injury picked up at Selhurst Park, although he was positive the teenage Swede will be available. The Spurs boss might still be cautious with the midfielder and with the lack of numbers that could mean Joao Palhinha coming into the starting line-up alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and Gray playing in an advanced role as he did after Bergvall left the pitch on Sunday.
Spurs are looking to sell Brennan Johnson this month with Crystal Palace having had a bid of around £35million accepted. If the Wales international is not in the squad on Thursday then it's because Tottenham and Frank are looking to edge last season's top scorer towards the exit door, with Palace desperate to convince him to join them.
In defence, Cristian Romero is back after his one-game suspension, albeit with the threat of a future ban looming with his FA charge for failing to get off the pitch promptly following his late red card against Liverpool. Micky van de Ven will need his own rest at some point before that potential absence for his captain and Frank will have to decide whether it comes at Brentford or in a few days' tme on Sunday at home against Sunderland.
Kevin Danso earned the player of the match award for his battling display at Selhurst Park and Frank will have no hesitation in naming him again. Up top, the Tottenham head coach must decide whether to stick with the same front three of Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus or bring in Wilson Odobert or Mathys Tel.
Here's the Spurs team we reckon Frank might select:
(4-2-3-1) Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kudus, Gray, Odobert, Richarlison.
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