Spurs Can Bag Victory Despite Squad Rotation

Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Partizan Stadium in the the Serbian capital of Belgrade this evening (18th September) in their opening Europa League group meeting of the campaign. Elsewhere in Group C, Besiktas host Greek debutantes Asteras Tripolis.

The 6:00PM match-up could be sub-titled `The Tale of Two Seasons`, as Partizan currently sit atop of their domestic league after a five match unbeaten run. The North London side, however, are without a win in two. A below-par home performance against Liverpool saw them concede three goals without reply before a Harry Kane own-goal saw Spurs throw away two valuable points as they drew 2-2 away at Sunderland. Mauricio Pochettino`s men`s last taste of victory came in the Europa League qualification stages as they put three goals past Cypriot side AEL Limassol. The 3-0 victory contributed to a comfortable 5-1 aggregate result and their progression through to the group stages of the competition.

If Tottenham can complement their fast-flowing, attack-minded football with a tighter performance at the back, it will be in the same tournament that they will put an end to their slippery decline. Indeed, despite their apparent away disadvantage, Betvictor have Tottenham as 9/10 favourites for tonight`s head-to-head, with a home win best priced 11/4 at bet365, Betvictor and Skybet. A draw can be picked up at 18/5 (bet365, betfair). They will have to shut the back door, however, in spite of Pochettino`s desire to rotate his squad. Left-back Danny Rose will be rested for the match, after feeling the effects of England duty, with Wales international Ben Davies set to start in his place.

Rumour had it that the real reason Argentinean Pochettino was keen to rest Rose was after the youngster suffered racial abuse during England`s Under-21s` European Championship qualification play-off in Serbia back in 2010. Rose received a red card for retaliating to the monkey chants he heard in the arena, though the Serbian FA banned for a year 19-year-old attacking midfielder Nikola Ninkovic for his part in the regrettable saga. A Partizan player, Ninkovic is set to take his place in the starting line-up for tonight`s match.

Speaking in a press conference, Pochettino countered this claim, firmly denying that his reasoning for leaving the 24-year-old former Sunderland loanee at home was anything to do with the events of 2010.

`My decision was that he needed rest to recover. In the end of the game against Sunderland he was a little bit tired.` The 42-year-old former Southampton man said. `He was also with the national team the last two weeks. My decision is only sport and football. I think he needs a rest, we have a big squad and it is a good opportunity to see another player.`

Spurs` `big squad` may also allow goalkeeper Michel Vorm to play a part for his new club for the first time after joining from Swansea City. The Netherlands international signed for the White Hart Lane side for £3.5 million as competition for current holder of the number one jersey Hugo Lloris. Prior to this the 30-year-old could be seen as a squad member for third placed Holland during the 2014 World Cup.

Such changes mean that Coral are offering 13/5 on Tottenham to win to nil, though having good squad depth in defensive positions and considering the suspension to Partizan`s star striker, Petar Skuletic, this price seems quality value. Skuletic achieved a brace in the second leg of the Belgrade club`s last Europa League game against Nefchi Baku, before being red carded in the final minutes. Coral also have odds of 15/2 on a 1-0 Tottenham win and 9/1, along with Betvictor, on Spurs to bag two goals without reply. The return of Spaniard Roberto Soldado from injury being a much needed confidence boost in front of goal.

Go To bet365

#Ad

18/09/2014     © Frixo 2024