How Tottenham Hotspur could line up against Brentford

Seeking a first win since their winter break, Tottenham Hotspur host Brentford in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

Ange Postecoglou's side exited the FA Cup last week, and following their late defeat to Manchester City they now aim to get back on track by beating the Bees at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, Spurs skipper Son Heung-min is still absent at the Asian Cup, and midfield pair Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma are representing reigning champions Senegal and Group E winners Mali respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Several less influential players are sidelined by injury, with Alejo Veliz (knee), Manor Solomon (knee) and Giovani Lo Celso (thigh) not expected back until next month at the earliest; Ryan Sessegnon is closing in on his return from a hamstring problem, though.

James Maddison returned to the squad and made a cameo from the bench on Friday, following a two-month absence with an ankle injury, while experienced defender Ben Davies was also selected among the substitutes against Man City; nonetheless, Postecoglou may even pick the same starting XI that took on the treble-winners.

That would see Dejan Kulusevski and RB Leipzig loanee Timo Werner supporting Richarlison up front, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg continuing in central midfield.

The latter has long been linked with a move away from North London, but Sarr and Bissouma being on international duty in Ivory Coast has helped him gain more minutes of late; Oliver Skipp could yet take the Dane's place alongside Rodrigo Bentancur in Tottenham's engine room.

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Skipp, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner; Richarlison