Bissouma tipped to start NLD over Bentancur

Journalist Alasdair Gold has tipped Yves Bissouma to start in the north London derby for Tottenham Hotspur even if Rodrigo Bentancur is fit enough to play.

What’s the word?

After yesterday’s Manchester derby, which saw Manchester United run out as 2-1 victors river their biggest rivals, the Premier League will witness another big clash today.

Indeed, Spurs host Arsenal with Antonio Conte‘s men trying to halt the Gunners’ title charge as well as push themselves back up into the Champions League places.

Of course, the home side will want to name the strongest team possible against such tough opponents but it seems as though the game may come just a little too soon for Bentancur who has not played since the return of domestic football following the winter World Cup.

Indeed, in an article written for football.london before the game, Gold explained why this will likely mean Bissouma is handed the chance to impress from the start against Arsenal.

He wrote: “However, even if Bentancur and/or Richarlison are available, the percentages suggest they will take a spot on the bench as neither have played for around six weeks.

“Barring Conte suddenly throwing Bentancur back into the frenzied atmosphere of a North London Derby, Yves Bissouma, who is back from an ankle injury, could line up alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the centre of the park.”

Has Yves Bissouma been good enough for Spurs so far?

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Time to shine?

Of course, Bissouma has been struggling with an injury of his own recently. Indeed, he picked up an issue in the pre-match warm-up ahead of the FA Cup third-round tie against Portsmouth and played no part in that game but had since returned to full training.

He also didn’t feature in the 4-0 away win at Crystal Palace last time out in the league due to a suspension and so Conte may be wary of throwing him back into the starting XI.

Oliver Skipp started that game instead alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and with  Bentancur expected to be back this weekend too, the club’s Italian manager certainly has a big call to make ahead of such an important game.