Europa League: Tottenham v Elfsborg – Preview, expected line-ups, how to watch on TV and prediction

Tottenham take on Elfsborg this coming Thursday at the Europa League.

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Match Preview

Tottenham will want to put their woeful Premier League form to the back to the back of their mind by securing safe passage through to the Europa League last 16 om Thursday night.

Spurs are showing relegation form having lost six and drawn one of their last seven Premier League games but are in a much healthier position in Europe, with a win over Elfsborg guarantee themselves a spot in a top eight of the standings.

Slip up at home against the Swedish side, however, and it could open the door for one of their challengers to sneak into the automatic spots ahead of them.

The North Londoners beat Hoffenheim 3-2 in Germany last week, taking their record to four wins, two draws and a defeat so far.

Elfsborg, meanwhile, can bag themselves a knockout round place as they currently sit on 10 points, two inside the top-24 places.

Team news

Tottenham’s lengthy injury list continues to grow and includes Guglielmo Vicario, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie,Β Timo WernerΒ andΒ Wilson OdobertΒ who all remain unavailable for selection.

RicharlisonΒ was forced off with a groin problem in the defeat to Leicester and will be assessed ahead of kickoff along withΒ Pape Matar SarrΒ James Maddison and Djed Spence.

Spurs were given some much-needed positive news when Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero took part in first-team training this week, though it remains to be seen whether they can be involved.

January signingΒ Antonin KinskyΒ is ineligible for Thursday’s clash, soΒ Brandon Austin is set to deputise between the sticks.

Elfsborg have been given a clean bill of health and should start a similar XI to the one who featured in their impressive victory over Nice last week.

Expected line-ups

Tottenham: Austin; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Gray; Bergvall, Bissouma, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Son, Moore

Elfsborg: Petterson; Buhari, Holmen, Yegbe; Hedlund, B. Zeneli, Ouma, Hult; A. Zeneli, Abdullai, Rapp

The stats

  • In 9 of the last 11 Tottenham matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
  • In 9 of the last 11 Tottenham home matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
  • Tottenham have won 6 of the last 8 home matches in the Europa League while scoring more than 1.5 goals
  • In 6 of the last 8 Tottenham matches in the Europa League, the sum of goals was over 2.5
  • In 3 of the last 4 Tottenham matches in the Europa League, the sum of goals was over 3.5
  • In 8 of the last 9 Elfsborg away matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
  • In 8 of the last 9 Elfsborg matches the sum of goals was under 3.5
  • In 7 of the last 9 Elfsborg away matches in the Europa League, the sum of goals was over 2.5
  • Elfsborg have lost the last 3 away matches in a row in the Europa League and the sum of goals was over 2.5
  • In the last 3 Elfsborg matches the sum of goals was under 2.5

How to watch Tottenham v Elfsborg

Thursday’s Europa League matches are live on TNT Sports and Discovery + in the UK. Viewers can stream via the Discovery + app.

Prediction

Spurs are struggling and continue to be ravaged by injuries, but they should still have enough to get the win they need at home.

Their youthful Swedish opponents got that victory over Nice last week but are less threatening away from home, having lost their last three on the road in Europe.

It might not be pretty at times, as it rarely has been for Spurs of late, but we’re backing the Premier League side for this one.

Tottenham 2-1 Elfsborg

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Picture of Cian Cheesbrough

Cian Cheesbrough

Cian is a sports journalist with experience writing for national titles, including LiveScore, MailOnline, Eurosport and Sky Sports.He has covered a number of key events during his time in the industry, including from the press box at live Champions League fixtures.

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