View: Ange to axe 85% big-name star in five changes - Tottenham predicted XI v Rangers

Ange Postecoglou could axe Dominic Solanke when Tottenham face Rangers in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

Postecoglou is living dangerously in North London and will be desperate for a result at Ibrox on 12 December.

After their 4-3 Premier League defeat against Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday [8 December], which could result in a fine for the club after what happened during the match, it is now one win in seven for Spurs.

As a result, a defeat against Rangers could prove costly for Postecoglou. Therefore, the Australian needs to name a strong team and take this match seriously.

However, considering the number of players out injured, that might be difficult to do.

Ange Postecoglou to make five changes for Tottenham against Rangers?

Fraser Forster will expect to continue between the sticks on Thursday. Despite conceding four times against Chelsea, the 36-year-old had a good game, making four saves and preventing 0.19 goals overall [Sofascore].

In what was a big surprise ahead of kick-off, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were both named in the starting lineup against Chelsea. However, neither was able to complete the 90 minutes, which means Postecoglou is once again without both centre-backs ahead of the trip to Glasgow.

With Ben Davies also sidelined, the Australian could be forced to start Radu Drăgușin alongside Archie Gray. Drăgușin replaced Romero after 15 minutes against Chelsea and won three of his four aerial duels and completed 89 per cent of his passes throughout the match.

Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie are likely to both be needed against Rangers with so many defenders unavailable. Udogie in particular looks in desperate need of a rest after winning just four of his nine ground duels and being dribbled past once against Chelsea. However, Postecoglou unfortunately does not have the luxury to rest players in this area of the pitch at the moment.

In midfield, Yves Bissouma is likely to be replaced by Rodrigo Bentancur. The 26-year-old struggled against Chelsea, giving away a penalty, while also winning just six of his 11 ground duels and being dribbled past once.

Despite also giving away a penalty, Pape Matar Sarr has often started alongside Bentancur and is therefore more likely to keep his place in midfield.

James Maddison could be drafted in to complete the midfield three, with Dejan Kulusevski, who scored against Chelsea, likely to be moved to the right in place of Brennan Johnson, who came off early on Sunday after feeling unwell and is likely to be rested as a result.

Ange Postecoglou to axe Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke against Rangers?

Postecoglou cannot afford to rotate in many other areas of the pitch. Therefore, he might decide to offer Solanke a rest and hand an opportunity to Will Lankshear, who has now served his one-match suspension in Europe.

Solanke played well against Chelsea, scoring a goal while completing 85 per cent of his passes, with two of those key, and creating one big chance. However, he has played a lot recently, and Postecoglou cannot afford any more players to pick up injuries.

Should Solanke be rested, Postecoglou will likely stand by Son Heung-min to maintain some experience in his front three.

Son had a mixed game against Chelsea, scoring a goal and creating two big chances, but also missing two big chances himself.

In other Tottenham news, Richard Keys believes Postecoglou could be in trouble after what Daniel Levy did.

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