Tottenham Hotspur will look to bounce back from their loss to Liverpool when they face Gent in the Round of 32 clash. The Lilywhites dropped down from the Champions League after exiting in the group stage itself and by virtue of their 3rd spot finish, have got a chance to compete in the Europa League. With the race for the Top 4 heating up with every passing day, Pochettino might well look to advance in the Europa League as the winners have a chance to qualify for the Champions League.
Pochettino was critical of his side’s desire during the weekend’s defeat at Liverpool but is not expected to make widespread changes. Spurs are heavily backed for a win but their inconsistent nature in Europe might prove to be a stumbling block in their quest for a prolonged run there.
TRIVIA
- This will be the first-ever meeting between these sides.
- Gent’s only previous meeting with English opposition was in the 1964-65 Cup Winners’ Cup first round – they lost 1-2 on aggregate against West Ham (losing the home leg 0-1) as the London side went on to lift the trophy.
- Tottenham are winless in their four previous away games against Belgian opponents (D2 L2), most recently a 1-2 loss against Anderlecht in this competition last season.
- The Buffalos have conceded 13 goals in the Europa League this season – more than any other side left in the competition. The other sides who conceded 13 or more finished bottom of their groups – FK Qabala and Austria Vienna (14), Panathinaikos (13).
- The Lilywhites have lost five of their last eight European games (W2 D1), including three of their six Champions League games this season.
- This will be Tottenham’s 134th match in the UEFA Cup/Europa League (excluding qualifiers) – 18 more than any other English side (Liverpool 116).
- Indeed, Spurs are appearing in the competition for the sixth successive season, a record among English sides (Ipswich are next with four).
TEAM NEWS & PREDICTED LINE-UP
GENT (3-4-3)
Kalinic; Gigot, Gershon, Mitrovic; Kalu, Renato Neto, Verstraete, Asare; Milicevic, Coulibaly, Simon.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1)
Tottenham will still be without Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose and Erik Lamela for the Europa League round of 32 first leg at Gent. Rose has not played since 31 January because of a knee injury, while Lamela remains sidelined with a hip problem.
Defender Vertonghen (ankle) could return for the FA Cup game against Fulham on Sunday but Thursday’s match in Belgium comes too soon.
Lloris; Walker, Dier, Wimmer, Davies; Winks, Wanyama; Sissoko, Alli, Son; Kane.
BETTING ODDS
GENT- 15/4
DRAW- 13/5
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR- 17/20
TRIVIA COURTESY- OPTA
