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Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action as they welcome already-relegated Sheffield United to north London this evening.

Ryan Mason’s side will be looking to bounce back from a tough week, which ended in another final loss after being defeated by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup last Sunday.

The 29-year-old has plenty to ponder in terms of team selection and whilst a top-four berth appears out of reach, Spurs could still qualify for the Europa League once again but it is games like this that they must secure maximum points.

So, what sort of side could we see the interim boss select at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight? Here’s our predicted XI as well as the latest team and injury news heading into kick-off…

We’re predicting there to be as many as four changes to the side that tasted defeat at Wembley a week ago.

In his pre-game press conference, Mason revealed that he had no fresh injury concerns and that Ben Davies would still be out through injury, so he has the exact same options to choose from.

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He also claimed that Matt Doherty had been back in training all week, so he could well come back into the starting XI, taking the place of Serge Aurier, who last week was lambasted as “one of the biggest liabilities in the Premier League” by Jamie Carragher.

That echoed the thoughts of Darren Bent who once dubbed the £18m-rated star a “liability.”

We could expect to see Joe Rodon in contention once again as he was cup-tied for the final and was not played against Southampton last week as Mason wanted his defensive pairing to be settled, though bringing him in for Eric Dier could be a decent switch to make.

The pair will be joined by Toby Alderweireld and Sergio Reguilon, who both keep their place in front of Hugo Lloris.

Another change could come in midfield, with Tanguy Ndombele likely to replace Harry Winks as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s partner, whilst Lucas Moura comes back into the no.10 role from out wide.

Gareth Bale might be the fourth and final change as he replaces Giovani Lo Celso in attack and both Heung-min Son and Harry Kane are more than likely to start.

AND in other news, Spurs must land perfect Kane replacement in “special” £36m-rated goal-machine…

يرى عماد متعب مهاجم الأهلي ومنتخب مصر السابق، أن محمد شريف لاعب الأهلي والثنائي رمضان صبحي وعبد الله السعيد لاعبا بيراميدز كان لابد أن يحصلوا على فرصة أكبر في منافسات كأس الأمم الإفريقية.

وكان منتخب مصر قد حصل على المركز الثاني في بطولة الأمم الإفريقية، بعد الخسارة أمام السنغال، في المباراة النهائية التي أقيمت أمس الأحد.

وقال متعب خلال تصريحات عبر برنامج “في الاستاد” على إذاعة “نجوم إف إم”: “كنت أتمنى أن يحصل محمد شريف ورمضان صبحي على مساحة أكبر للمشاركة، فضلا عن قدرة عبد الله السعيد الكبيرة في التسجيل من نقطة الجزاء، فلماذا لم يحصل على فرصة للعب ركلات الترجيح كما حصل عليها زيزو ولاشين!”.

طالع | محمد النني يوجه رسالة ووعدًا لجماهير مصر بعد خسارة لقب أمم إفريقيا

وأردف: “منتخب مصر خاض 4 مباريات بوقت إضافي، ومنهم 3 ركلات ترجيح، ضغط كبير جدًا”.

وتابع: “لاعبو منتخب مصر قادرون على التأهل للمونديال على حساب السنغال، مثلما فعلنا نحن في 2010 خسرنا التأهل للمونديال بعدما فاز علينا منتخب الجزائر في المباراة الفاصلة، ولكن عوضنا في كأس الأمم وأقصينا الجزائر وحصدنا اللقب، هذه المرة معكوسة، ومنتخبنا قادر على إقصاء السنغال والتاهل للمونديال”.

وأكمل: “منتخب مصر درس السنغال بشكل أكبر، فضلًا عن أن الراحة التي سيحصل عليها لاعبي المنتخب خلال الفترة المقبلة”.

Celtic’s search for a new manager has taken on an exciting lease of life over the last week or so with the Bhoys really stepping up their hunt to replace Neil Lennon.

A number of managers have been touted with taking over but there is one name that’s now seemingly at the top of their list.

What’s the word?

Journalist Alan Nixon reported earlier this week that Eddie Howe was a serious candidate to become Celtic’s new manager.

That information has now also been reported by The Scottish Sun. They claim that Howe is indeed in the frame to take over, but they have also revealed the 43-year-old’s stance on heading to Parkhead.

They state that the former Bournemouth boss is seriously interested in succeeding Lennon in Glasgow.

Howe has even started his own due-diligence on the behind-the-scenes structure of the club and has sounded out contacts within the game who have close ties to Celtic.

Having sought advice from those connections, he is ready to return to management and become the new Bhoys manager.

Fantastic news for Celtic

Over the last week or so the Hoops hierarchy haven’t particularly had an easy time of it when trying to find Lennon’s replacement.

Jesse Marsch has been ruled out of the running to come to Scotland while Chris Wilder is facing pay-off issues and interest from Burnley.

As for Roy Keane, he now looks less likely to arrive after seemingly being the favourite a week ago.

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However, they have received a few boosts in the last few days with Lucien Favre and now Howe reportedly interested in becoming the next Celtic boss.

If those two names are at the forefront of Dermot Desmond’s thinking then fans should be completely delighted. Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes revealed last week that Keane’s potential arrival had gone down like a led balloon among the supporters.

However, Favre and Howe have achieved a lot more and they’ve also not had ten years away from management.

Favre had a win rate of 61.82% before losing his job with Borussia Dortmund in December while Howe’s achievements make for impressive reading.

In two separate spells, he took Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League, cementing themselves in England’s top-flight.

He is meticulous on the training ground and is known for developing and using young domestic talent; something that would undoubtedly benefit the Hoops.

Should Desmond bring him to Parkhead, he’d be a brilliant appointment, one who could breathe fresh life into a decrepit think tank.

AND in other news, Celtic could land Kenny upgrade in 32 y/o who’s “up there as a captain with Maldini”…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dean Windass has challenged Dele Alli to step up in Heung Min Son’s absence.

The South Korean sustained a hamstring problem in Sunday’s north London derby, and Jose Mourinho confirmed that he will miss Spurs’ Europa League tie with Dinamo Zagreb this evening.

Alli has started just once in the Premier League since the opening day, but appears to have put his differences aside with Mourinho having featured in nine of Spurs’ last 10 matches since returning from a tendon injury in February.

And with Son now ruled out of the game in Zagreb, and Steven Bergwijn being overlooked at present, it could present an opportunity for the England man, rated at £34.2m by Transfermarkt.

Alli has started each of Tottenham’s previous three Europa League matches, and Windass believes he has a real chance to make a real impact with Son sidelined.

He told Football FanCast: “It’s a good opportunity for Dele Alli. We don’t know what reaction Dele Alli has in training every day, Jose sees him every day in training. You don’t become a bad player overnight.

“He’s got back in the squad, then he gets the opportunity to come on. I thought he did really well when he came on [against Arsenal]. Now’s the chance if he starts the next game, then he’s got to say ‘yeah, I am a good player, I have got a future at this football club.'”

Celtic legend John Hartson has called the customary guard of honour gesture ‘nonsense’.

The Hoops saw their run of nine consecutive league titles officially come to an end last weekend as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Dundee United.

There are still six matches left to play and they are set to meet arch-rivals and newly-crowned champions Rangers at Parkhead on 21 March.

‘Celtic don’t need to be told that they have deserved it’

Hartson said that ‘mutual respect’ is important, but adhering to the football tradition of applauding their rivals onto the field that day would be a step too far in his opinion.

He told the Daily Record: “Why would you start it now? And where do you stop it? There is respect between players.

“Celtic don’t need to be told this season that Rangers have deserved it. And the players will appreciate just how well Rangers have played and how consistent they have been.

“But the guard of honour thing is just a nonsense really. They are rivals and there has to be mutual respect but you can have that without needing to go down the guard of honour road.”

Celtic will be looking to send a ‘next season starts now’ message when the two sides face off on Sunday week. Rangers have won on their last two visits to Parkhead, having previously gone nine years without tasting victory on the Hoops’ turf.

Transfer Tavern verdict

You can’t help but be reminded of the debate over whether Manchester City should adhere to the tradition ahead of their meeting with champions Liverpool last summer.

Whilst there is a degree of humiliation involved, this can serve as a source of motivation to strike back, and Pep Guardiola insisted that his team show respect to their rivals (via Sky Sports).

Of course, the antipathy in Glasgow is on a vast scale, and you would ultimately expect neither team to agree to pay homage, behind closed doors or otherwise.

In other news, find out which England-based manager is reportedly being groomed for the permanent Celtic job.

Many Arsenal fans were left to slam the display of Pablo Mari in the first half away at Leicester City in the Premier League at Sunday lunchtime.The central defender was partially at fault for the early goal that was scored by Youri Tielemans as he failed to close down the Belgium international in the box, who ended up having a free shot on goal and thus blasted the ball past Bernd Leno into the far corner of the net.It made Mikel Arteta’s quest of taking all three points away from the King Power Stadium that much harder as they found themselves 1-0 down very early on again, following an early goal conceded last week at home Manchester City through a Raheem Sterling header.Nonetheless, it is a piece of defending that Mari will not want to look back on. Arsenal fan reaction to Mari display

These Gunners supporters slammed his performance in the first half on Twitter, with one Gooner even going as far to say that the 27-year-old Spaniard was ‘abysmal’:

“@YankeeGunner one for the Mari haters that! Shocking goal to concede. Terrible from Xhaka, Willian and Mari”Credit: @BradleyPowell04″Mari man what are you doing brother?”Credit: @NotZuZmeister”Mari’s positioning was horrendous”Credit: @soundnajib”How do Mari and Elneny just watch Tielemans run 30+ yards and let him get a shot off?? Bad!”Credit: @capitalgunner”That’s abysmal by Mari and Elneny.”Credit: @afcsidd”Awful defending…. Elneny or Mari need to get out and shut that down… Xhaka is never going to catch him on that recovery sprint.”Credit: @DanArsenalHQ1In other news, find out whose display was slammed versus Benfica here!

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic recently but Daniel Levy should avoid signing the Serbian, as he wouldn’t be an improvement on anything Spurs already have.

According to reports from Italy, Spurs are interested in signing the 24-year-old midfielder this summer, although a host of Italian clubs, along with Crystal Palace, are also said to be keeping a close eye on him.

So far this season, Lukic has made 21 appearances in Serie A, contributing three goals and no assists, which has seen him average a less than impressive 6.52 WhoScored rating.

Whilst he is playing in a poor Torino side who are in serious danger of relegation to Serie B, these stats suggest that he would struggle to force his way into Jose Mourinho’s plans, especially considering the quality options the Portuguese manager has in midfield.

Lukic can play as both a central and attacking midfielder, but averages just one tackle and 0.6 interceptions per game in Serie A, whereas Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Tanguy Ndombele – arguably Spurs’ best midfield duo – both score higher for those metrics.

The Serbian’s attacking returns are also poor, as he averages just 0.6 shots and 0.8 key passes per game in the Italian top flight, whereas someone like Dele Alli has averaged 1.7 shots and 1.7 key passes per game in the Europa League, and looks set for a run in Mourinho’s side after impressing in recent European performances.

With Spurs also boasting options such as Giovani Lo Celso, Moussa Sissoko and Lucas Moura in midfield, a potential move for Lukic seems like a strange option for Spurs, as it is difficult to see what he offers Mourinho.

Lukic’s three goals this term is his best goalscoring season to date, whereas Alli has hit double figures on a regular basis during his time in north London.

Therefore, Levy should steer well clear of the £4.5m-rated Lukic in the summer transfer window, as based on their respective performances throughout their careers so far, it would definitely be fair to suggest that Alli is a far better player than the Serbian.

And, in other news… Dele Alli’s return to form could be bad news for £31.5m-rated Spurs outsider

Manchester United left-back Alex Telles was handed a start by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to face Wolves and while some fans will have been delighted to see him keep his place in the starting line-up, he looked far from his very best.

Telles arrived at Old Trafford in the summer to add more attacking intent than what Luke Shaw was offering. His numbers at Porto certainly seemed to suggest that he could do just that, after he provided 13 goals and 12 assists across all competitions for the Portuguese outfit last season, via Transfermarkt.

However, the 28-year-old looked increasingly lacklustre against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, as he was run ragged by the likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Ruben Neves and Adama Traore.

Per SofaScore, Telles lost possession of the ball ten times in the first half which suggests that he struggled to get a foothold in the game as he couldn’t hold on to the ball.

Despite his attacking instincts, he failed to record a single shot – let alone a shot on target – or register a single key pass, as per SofaScore. On the very few occasions he actually ventured forwards into the opposition half, he was caught in an offside trap once and lost his only duel of the game. Even Edinson Cavani, who had a shocker by all accounts, managed to win three of his duels overall.

Injury issues aside, Telles was unable to complete even just one of his attempted crosses from seven attempts as he proved to be rather wasteful in possession.

Solskjaer will have no doubt been left unimpressed by the new summer recruit’s latest showing as it’s fair to say that he has offered very little since he first arrived at Old Trafford, with only one assist in nine appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt, which is a pretty paltry return.

The Sun gave Telles a 5/10 rating and claimed he ‘frequently looked to swing the ball into the box, but rarely found his team-mates’, while The Manchester Evening News were equally scathing in their assessment by offering him a notch better, insisting ‘his crossing was rarely of the requisite standard for Edinson Cavani.’

It’s hardly surprising he was substituted for Shaw at half-time and he ought to be wary after he was outshone by the Englishman, who looked lively in his 16th appearance of the season.

United can count themselves lucky they find themselves second in the table after a last-gasp victory over Wolves, with Telles’ poor performance on the left-wing clearly causing problems for Cavani and co.

His tenth start of the season could be his last for some time after such a dismal showing – with a clash with Liverpool on the horizon, Solskjaer will have to start considering other options.

AND in other news, Man Utd chief Ed Woodward can upgrade Daniel James in Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic…

David Sullivan must sanction a new contract for Tomas Soucek amid claims Bayern Munich are interested in signing the West Ham United midfielder.

What’s the word?

According to TEAMtalk, the Hammers are set to present Soucek with a bumper new deal to ward off any potential approach from Bayern Munich following the Czech Republic international’s stellar start to life at the London Stadium.

The Irons have been mightily impressed by how Soucek has adapted to the Premier League since joining on an initial loan deal last winter, with the 25-year-old arriving from Slavia Prague having never previously played for a club outside of his native country.

Soucek only penned a £67,308-per-week, three-year contract in the summer after West Ham turned his temporary spell permanent for £19.1million, yet club chiefs are already in discussions with his agent over a potential pay rise as his reputation only continues to grow.

Bayern Munich and a clutch of European clubs are said to be monitoring the Czech Player of the Year, who has scored three goals in 12 Premier League games this season as one of just four players to have played all 1,080 minutes under David Moyes so far.

Sullivan must sanction a deal

While Soucek only penned his current terms in July, Sullivan should see no reason to not sanction West Ham chiefs to offer the midfielder a bumper new deal that better matches his importance to Moyes.

Soucek currently ranks as the seventh-highest earner at the London Stadium with Andriy Yarmolenko and Manuel Lanzini each paid greater sums, despite the pair featuring for just 97 and 62 minutes in the Premier League respectively thus far this term.

The Czech box-to-box titan is pivotal on the pitch beyond his goals which have directly influenced two wins, too, as only winger Jarrod Bowen (30) has registered more shots than Soucek (23) in the top-flight this season, while directing the third-most on target (seven) behind strikers Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller (nine), per WhoScored.

Soucek, who Moyes lauds as a player who has made an impact since joining in January and believes is “beginning to blossom”, also ranks first by a clear margin for aerial duels contended (116) and won (65), is second only to Vladimir Coufal for successful tackles (21), is third for interceptions (16) and fourth for clearances (28).

Moyes would likely have never imagined Soucek making such an impact when brought to the club last winter, and must urge Sullivan to ignore the potential payday selling the midfielder would bring with the CIES Observatory valuing the 30-cap gem at €50m (£45m).

AND in other news, a £27m-rated West Ham dud is playing on borrowed time after a shocking showing at Leeds United.

Marcelo Bielsa has written himself in the history books at Leeds and he needed just one year to do it. The Whites fans have waited an agonising 16 years to return to their rightful place in the Premier League and managers have come and gone trying to force the comeback. Bielsa got the job done with ease.

Last season saw Leeds top the Championship table with an impressive ten point margin over runners up West Brom. After winning an impressive 28 of their 46 games played and losing just nine, the Whites made their grand return to England’s top flight.

Despite their slump in form recently, they started their first season back in the Premier League with huge guts. Their opening match may have been a loss, but they put reigning champions Liverpool to the sword with a 4-3 scoreline. The Reds were able to scrape through, but Leeds didn’t hesitate in showing their strength in attack.

Carlton Palmer spoke to Football FanCast about Bielsa and his clever tactics at Elland Road.

“That’s not a shock that he’s come to the English league and is doing well,” the ex-Leeds man said. “His reputation precedes him. He’s a very good manager and a very good coach.

“And you know what you’ve got to remember when you’re a manager or coach – you can only be a good manager and a good coach if you have the tools to do your job.”

Indeed, Leeds aren’t squeaky clean when it comes to their squad. There’s a lot of kinks that need ironing out before Bielsa can fully re-establish his side as Premier League giants. But with the Argentinian at the hilt, there’s no doubt that the January transfer window will be an interesting one for the Whites.

In other news, Leif Davis could make huge statement with performance against Nicolas Pepe…