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Rob Guest & Lee Wilmot

Big Kane call, Lo Celso starts - The Tottenham team Jose Mourinho should pick vs Ludogorets

Jose Mourinho will be hoping for a huge improvement when Tottenham return to Europa League action on Thursday evening.

Travelling to Belgium one week ago to take on Royal Antwerp, the Lilywhites were dreadful against their Group J opponents and quite rightfully came away with nothing following a dire 1-0 defeat.

Mourinho claimed that his future choices are going to be "very easy" following the defeat and all eyes will be on his team selection against Ludogorets.

That means the likes of Dele Alli, Steven Bergwijn and Harry Winks who came in for the game may unfortunately have to watch on from the sidelines if he opts to play his big guns and ensure they get the job done.

But who should start for the Lilywhites in Bulgaria?

We’ve asked our Tottenham writers and fans at football.london to give their thoughts on who should be in Mourinho's XI to face Ludogorets. Here is what they had to say:

Rob Guest - Tottenham Hotspur reporter

Mourinho was not happy at all following the defeat away at Royal Antwerp last week and I've a feeling he won't be making as many changes.

A number of players just didn't take their opportunity in Belgium and the head coach won't want to risk it against Ludogorets as they need the points on the board having dropped three one week ago.

Joe Hart was unlucky to not make the XI last week and he should be given the opportunity to come in and play behind a defence of Serge Aurier, Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier and Sergio Reguilon.

Mourinho may opt to go with his strongest midfield on Thursday but the only change to that will be Giovani Lo Celso to come in instead of Tanguy Ndombele so he can build up his match fitness.

Already confirming that Gareth Bale will start after his goal against Brighton, Lucas Moura is likely to get the nod after not getting any minutes at the weekend and he may be joined in attack by Harry Kane as the boss will go with a strong side.

Guest's team: Hart; Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Sissoko, Lo Celso; Bale, Lucas, Kane.

Lee Wilmot - Head of Football for London and the South and Tottenham fan

It did not exactly go to plan when Jose Mourinho made a host of changes for the last Europa League outing.

I can't see him making the same mistake again.

Joe Hart would be my goalkeeper, with Serge Aurier, Sergio Reguilon, Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld my chosen back four. I see no reason to split the centre-backs up, but Aurier deserves another go as I have not been overly impressed with Matt Doherty thus far.

Tanguy Ndombele should be joined in midfield by Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso, who needs minutes to get back to his best.

Then, ahead of them, it's Gareth Bale, Erik Lamela and Harry Kane for me. Why bring him on, he might as well start and see if we can get the job done.

Wilmot's team: Hart; Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon; Winks, Ndombele, Lo Celso, Lamela, Bale, Kane.

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