Souza decision, Bissouma call – The Tottenham team Thomas Frank must pick vs Burnley

We asked our Tottenham reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to name the team they reckon Thomas Frank will select to face Burnley

Tottenham need to build on the momentum of their midweek victory with a positive display in the Premier League at Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

Spurs saw off Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday evening to make it four wins at home with four clean sheets in the competition to book their spot in the play-off round. A win next week in Frankfurt would see Thomas Frank’s side skip that and go straight into the round of 16 as one of the top eight clubs in the table.

First though the Premier League calls and a trip up the country to Turf Moor to face Scott Parker’s Clarets. Burnley sit 19th in the table but have begun to turn their results around recently with draws against Liverpool and Manchester United.

Frank has injuries galore with Lucas Bergvall set to join those spending a lengthy spell out after the teenager suffered an ankle injury against Dortmund.

We asked our Tottenham reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to name the starting line-up they reckon Frank will select to face Burnley on Saturday.

Alasdair Gold – Tottenham correspondent

Frank must decide exactly what elements of the Spurs team that faced Dortmund he should take across into this game at Turf Moor. That’s because certain parts of it worked well, with the makeshift back three looking good and Djed Spence enjoying himself as a left winger.

Decisions have to be made though over how fit Dominic Solanke is after his first start in eight months, Destiny Udogie with his first one in seven weeks and Xavi Simons, who has been playing with a painful and swollen ankle.

Frank has new signing Conor Gallagher ready to come back in as he is not registered for the Champions League yet and there is also Yves Bissouma, who impressed with his performance against West Ham. Archie Gray played well against Dortmund but with those other two unable to face Frankfurt, Gray might be wrapped up in cotton wool for this one with Joao Palhinha close to being ready but potentially not in time for this match,

Mathys Tel could also come back into the team while Pape Matar Sarr is available after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he was ill as Senegal won the final.

New signing Souza was finally announced on Thursday and if his international clearance comes in time then the 19-year-old left-back will be available for selection, although he will not be sharp with more than a month since the Brazilian season ended.

Gold’s XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Gallagher, Bissouma; Odobert, Xavi, Tel; Solanke.

Ryan Taylor – Football reporter

I would love to see Dominic Solanke start but I’m unsure whether he’ll be able to as Tottenham will be protecting his fitness.

Starting twice in a matter of days is probably a step too far for the big striker and Spurs can’t afford to see him suffer any setbacks.

One big decision Frank is facing is at the back as Kevin Danso has not put a foot wrong of late. Using a back-three away at Burnley would not be acceptable but it’s a shame you can’t really shoehorn Cuti Romero, Danso and Van de Ven into the same line up.

I expect Romero and Van de Ven to start with Pedro Porro and Djed Spence as full-backs. Conor Gallagher should also return in midfield, though Joao Palhinha will start if fit. Archie Gray should start, too.

Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel are shoo-ins in attack, Solanke would ideally lead the line but Randal Kolo Muani is probably more likely.

Taylor’s XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Gallagher, Gray; Odobert, Xavi, Tel; Solanke.