Spurs Web tips Mateus Fernandes to return for Coventry test

Spurs Web expects Mateus Fernandes to return to Tottenham Hotspur’s starting midfield against Coventry, with the outlet predicting a change as Roberto De Zerbi searches for his first Premier League win of the season. The projected selection is not a confirmed team announcement, but it points to a key challenge for Spurs: turning home possession into more goals.

Tottenham have scored three times in their opening six league games, according to Spurs Web, and sit 19th with three draws and three defeats. The outlet’s table has Coventry 14th on six points, three ahead of Spurs. Frank Lampard’s side have won their last two matches, scoring five goals and conceding once, Spurs Web reports.

The visitors arrive after a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, in which Spurs came from behind and held on after going down to ten men. They have had nine days between that match and Coventry’s visit, according to Spurs Web.

In the outlet’s predicted midfield, Fernandes joins Sandro Tonali and Conor Gallagher. Spurs Web expects Tonali to stay in the deeper role he filled against United, with Rodrigo Bentancur suspended. It also says James Maddison could feature, but describes his involvement as uncertain, giving Gallagher the predicted starting place.

Dominic Solanke is tipped to lead the attack after scoring against United; the canonical report notes he has two league goals this season. Spurs Web projects Mohammed Kudus on the right and Savio on the left, pointing to Kudus’s direct running and dribbling against United despite a missed chance.

There are predicted changes in defence as well. Spurs Web expects Andy Robertson to return after missing the United match, while identifying Destiny Udogie as another left-back option. With Pedro Porro still sidelined but nearing a return, the outlet tips Archie Gray to continue at right-back. Antonin Kinsky is projected in goal, with Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven at centre-back. Spurs Web cites Van de Ven’s pace against Coventry’s counter-attacking threat and expects Van Hecke to keep his place after featuring against United despite an injury scare.

Tottenham host Coventry at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday 19 October, with kick-off at 20:00. Fernandes’s predicted return would give De Zerbi another technical option in a midfield Spurs Web expects to have the ball; the task is making that possession count against opponents arriving on consecutive wins.