Sean Dyche’s side are currently flying high having won their previous four matches in England’s top flight without conceding a goal. As a result, Ange Postecoglou knows that his team will need to be at their best, with his task having been made all the more difficult by yet another selection headache.
Yves Bissouma was sent off for the second time this season at The City Ground and is therefore unavailable while he serves a four-match suspension, while left-back Destiny Udogie is also suspended for the clash after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against the Reds, although his suspension is just for one-match.
This means changes will be needed, and the Australian will need to make sure he gets these changes spot on.
Guglielmo Vicario will no doubt start between the sticks, having come up with a fine save last time out while also completing an impressive 85 per cent of his passes (Sofascore). Pedro Porro is also likely to retain his place in the team after yet another impressive performance against Forest, throughout which he made two tackles, three interceptions and played three key passes.
It is across the rest of his back-line where Postecoglou faces a dilemma. However, the 58-year-old will be reluctant to disturb what has become a relatively settled back-two in the form of Ben Davies and Cristian Romero, with the pair helping their side to a clean sheet in the 2-0 win in Nottingham, making four tackles, eleven clearances and blocking three shots between them.
This means Emerson Royal could be asked to deputise at left-back for Udogie, a position he has played in on a couple of occasions so far this season.
In midfield, Pape Matar Sarr could be dropped despite another fine performance last time out, throughout which he completed 90 per cent of his passes, won four ground duels and made five clearances. The Senegal international midfielder is one booking away from a one-match suspension after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season against Forest, and with two games in quick succession to come after Christmas, Postecoglou will be keen to avoid losing the midfielder and could therefore spare him for this match.
With Bissouma already suspended, Postecoglou is likely to turn to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, while Skipp takes the place of Sarr, despite the 23-year-old’s struggles after coming on against Forest, where he won just two of his six ground duels and lost the only aerial duel he contested, while also being dribbled past twice.
Dejan Kulusevski has rediscovered himself in the number ten role, playing five key passes in that position during the 4-1 win over Newcastle (10 December), and although he shone on the right with a goal and an assist after Johnson was forced off, the Swede will likely step back into that role with Johnson expected to be fit to start.
Richarlison has finally found his feet in north London with three goals in his last two games and will look to continue in that same vein of form against his former side, which would see captain Son Heung-min start on the left, just as he has done in the past two games.
