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Our Tottenham writers at football.london have made their team selections for New Year's Day's Premier League encounter at Brentford
Tottenham are looking to build on their win at Crystal Palace with another positive derby result on the road at Brentford on New Year's Day.
Spurs overcame a tough first half at Selhurst Park to take home a 1-0 win thanks to Archie Gray's header. Recent wins under Thomas Frank have been followed up with poor performances so the Dane will be hoping his team harnesses the momentum this time as they make the trip to his old stamping ground across the capital, the Gtech Community Stadium.
Tottenham remain without the suspended Xavi Simons as well as the injured Dominic Solanke, who has returned to working with the team in training, Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie and James Maddison, while Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
We asked our Tottenham writers Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to give the team selections they reckon Frank could pick for the New Year's Day's Premier League encounter.
Alasdair Gold - Tottenham correspondent
Frank initially said the same squad was available to face Brentford as was up against Palace but after I prodded a bit further he admitted that Lucas Bergvall is a doubt with an injury, 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.
In defence, Cristian Romero comes back in 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 on Sunday at home against Sunderland.
Kevin Danso was named as player of the match for his battling display in helping Spurs keep a clean sheet at Selhurst Park and Frank will have no hesitation in naming him again. There is also the option of a back three if the Dane desires it.
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, Mathys Tel or the in-demand Brennan Johnson.
Gold's XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kudus, Gray, Odobert, Richarlison.
Ryan Taylor - Sports reporter
Providing everyone is fit as Frank claims, I think there's a strong argument that there should only be minor tweaks to the starting XI that saw off Crystal Palace.
Yes, Spurs rode their luck but they were solid defensively for decent spells of the second half and there were some commendable cameos from the bench, too.
Captain Cuti Romero should return following his suspension but it's hard to drop Kevin Danso after his man-of-the-match display at Selhurst Park. Perhaps he replaces Micky van de Ven so the Dutchman can have some much-needed rest for Sunday's clash with Sunderland.
Djed Spence and Pedro Porro remain the full-backs with goalscorer Archie Gray partnering Joao Palhinha in midfield.
Palhinha made some key tackles after entering the fray against Palace while Wilson Odobert should replace Randal Kolo Muani on the left after hitting the post and shining in the closing stages of the match.
Richarlison keeps his place up top with Mohammed Kudus operating from the right and Lucas Bergvall continuing as the No.10.
Taylor's XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso, Spence; Palhinha, Gray; Kudus, Bergvall, Odobert, Richarlison.
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