Tottenham predicted lineup vs Brentford - Premier League
Tottenham travel to Brentford's Community Stadium for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Spurs have faced this season's promoted sides on five occasions, winning all five without conceding a goal, including a breezy 2-0 victory over the Bees in December.
Here's the XI Antonio Conte may deploy to preserve their stellar record against last season's best of the Championship.
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Hugo Lloris (GK) - The Spurs skipper hasn't conceded a goal to a promoted team since May 2021.
Cristian Romero (CB) - Having spent much of his time at Atalanta in the middle of a back-three, Romero has thrived on the right since Conte's arrival. Although, the Argentine isn't too fussed: "Even if he puts me as goalkeeper, as long as I’m playing that’s the main thing.”
Eric Dier (CB) - "One of the best defenders in the league," according to his manager, hasn't played for the England national team since November 2020.
Ben Davies (CB) - Conte's trusted left-footed member of the backline turns 29 the day after Spurs pull up to Brentford's bus stop in Hounslow.
2. Midfielders
Emerson Royal (RWB) - Without Matt Doherty or Japhet Tanganga available to offer any competition, Emerson's spot in the squad is more secure than his performances this term have warranted.
Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) - None of the 42 passes Bentancur attempted against a resolute Brighton side entered the final third last weekend as Spurs failed to take a single shot on target.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) - A player in the Danish youth teams that were coached by Thomas Frank, the current Brentford manager was keen to laud the Tottenham number five: "I think he’s got everything in him to grow and raise his game to a higher level."
Sergio Reguilon (LWB) - Only two teammates (no prizes for guessing which pair) have created more chances for Spurs this season than the roaming wing-back who assisted Tottenham's second at home to Brentford in December.
3. Forwards
Dejan Kulusevski (RW) - A contender for the January signing of the season (among particularly stiff competition this year) was just five months old the last time a Spurs team containing Oyvind Leonhardsen and Sergei Rebrov played an away game against Brentford.
Harry Kane (ST) - Brentford are the only one of the 31 clubs Kane has faced and failed to score against in the Premier League.
Son Heung-min (LW) - For the second season on the spin, Son has scored 17 Premier League goals. One more strike would mark the best scoring season of his senior league career.