Predicted Tottenham XI to face Royal Antwerp: Nine changes, Alli omission, Bale decision

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Jose Mourinho is expected to make a number of changes to his Tottenham Hotspur side when they travel to Belgium to take on Royal Antwerp in their second of six Europa League group matches on Thursday evening.

Spurs rose to fifth in the Premier League table on Monday night as Harry Kane’s flick from an Erik Lamela corner was headed into the back of the net by Son Heung-min. The 1-0 win saw Spurs keep their first league clean sheet of the season, too.

Mourinho picked a defensive-looking side that included Ben Davies and Matt Doherty on either side of the defence – with the hard-working Lucas Moura combining with Kane and Son in the final third, before being replaced.

Dele Alli is likely to remain on the sidelines as competition for places continues to hot up. Gareth Bale played in a central role last Thursday against LASK, and he is likely to do the same this week in Belgium.

Joe Hart is expected to come in, as are Serge Aurier and Sergio Reguilon on the flanks. Carlos Vinicius enjoyed an excellent debut last time out, laying on two assists – and he is expected to start as he searches for his first Spurs goal.

Eric Dier and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are two of Mourinho’s most-trusted players so far this season and they are both likely to start. Davinson Sanchez could come in for Toby Alderweireld, while Harry Winks is likely to replace Moussa Sissoko.

Out wide, Steven Bergwijn is likely to be given a run out – as is Lamela, who only started from the bench against Burnley. Joe Rodon was not registered in time, while Alli and Jack Clarke – who made his debut last week – could make the bench.

So, in all – nine changes, including five summer signings. In come Hart, Aurier, Sanchez, Reguilon, Winks, Bergwijn, Bale, Lamela and Vinicius. Out go Hugo Lloris, Doherty, Alderweireld, Davies, Sissoko, Tanguy Ndombele, Lucas, Son and Kane.