Europa League: Tottenham vs Asteras Tripolis match preview
A look ahead to Thursday’s Europa League clash
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Your support makes all the difference.Tottenham welcome Greek outfit Asteras Tripoli to White Hart Lane this Thursday, with the home side still winless in the group stage. The visitors on the other hand are sitting top of Group C after taking four points from their first two games. Mauricio Pochettino and his team know anything other than a win against the Greek qualifiers will be a severe blow to their hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages.
Spurs will be hoping to bounce back after their disappointing 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at the weekend. The defensive frailties that were exposed on Saturday will need to be addressed quickly if Tottenham hope to progress in this competition. Fans continue to be concerned by the continuous change in personnel at the back, with Pochettino clearly still uncertain of his best option having failed to field the same back four for two consecutive games all season.
Tottenham have also been heavily criticised at the other end of the pitch this season. Spurs have only managed to register four goals since their 3-1 win at Nottingham Forest towards the end of September which has prompted more calls from the stands for the Tottenham hierarchy to invest in an underperforming frontline come January.
Asteras Tripolis will prove difficult to break down having only conceded one goal in their first two group games. The Greek side also boast an impressive home record of six games unbeaten which again emphasises the importance of this upcoming home fixture for the North Londoners.
Tottenham fans will be looking for a reaction to a mediocre start to the season.
KICK-OFF: Thursday, 8:05pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS… This will be the first time that the two clubs have met in a competitive fixture.
STATS…
Asteras Tripoli have yet to win in 7 European away fixtures.
Asteras Tripoli have picked up just 3 bookings in the group phase compared to Tottenham’s 6.
Tottenham have scored in their last 13 consecutive European games at White Hart Lane (including qualifiers).
Tottenham have only had 10 attempts at goal in this year’s tournament compared to Asteras who have registered 28.
ODDS…
Tottenham to win: 1.35
Asteras to win: 12
Draw: 5.5
TV: Live on ITV4 and ITV4 HD at 8:05pm.
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