Tottenham v Elfsborg preview: Team news, betting odds, lineups, where to watch
Tottenham return to Europa League action on Thursday in the final league phase match against IF Elfsborg.
The Lilywhites can secure an automatic bye to the round of 16 with three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (30 January) after the 3-2 win against Hoffenheim last time out.
Ange Postecoglou cannot afford to slip out of the top eight positions with the pressure on his future growing with each passing match.
Preview
Although Spurs are enduring an abysmal campaign in the Premier League, success in the Europa League is still on the cards for Postecoglou.
The Lilywhites’ 2-1 loss against Leicester City on Sunday (26 January), following the 3-2 loss against Everton at Goodison Park, leaves them 17 points away from Champions League qualification.
Therefore, the only remaining way to qualify for Europe’s elite competition is to win the Europa League this year.
It is a tall ask for a side that has not won silverware in 17 years, but it is not impossible, and defeating Swedish outfit Elfsborg should be a straightforward affair.
However, Oscar Hiljemark’s side have claimed some notable scalps in the league phase, including Serie A giants AS Roma.
They have won their last two outings in the competition, coming against Nice and Qarabag with identical 1-0 scorelines.
With qualification to the knockout rounds also on the line for Elfsborg, the match on Thursday (30 January) could spring plenty of surprises.
Form Guide [Europa League]
Tottenham: WDDLW
Elfsborg: WWLDL
Head-to-Head
The clash on Thursday will be the first time in Elfsborg history that the Allsvenskan has faced an English side in European competition.
Team News for Tottenham v Elfsborg
Spurs supporters are all too aware of the ever-growing injury list in North London, with Dominic Solanke the latest first team star to join the treatment room.
James Maddison is also a doubt heading into the game after missing the 2-1 loss against Leicester City on the weekend. However, he could still feature, with the extent of his issue yet to be determined.
Although Cristian Romero has entered the final stages of his rehabilitation, Postecoglou will not make the same mistakes again and will leave the centre-back out of the squad until fit to return.
Elfsborg are heading to England with no notable injuries or suspensions, and Hiljemark boasts a fully-fit and available squad for the final league phase match.
Predicted lineups for Tottenham v Elfsborg
Tottenham: Austin, Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Gray, Bentancur, Bissouma, Maddison, Kulusevski, Moore, Lankshear
Elfsborg: Pettersson, Holmen, Henriksson, Yegbe, Hedlund, Zeneli, Ouma, Hult, Zeneli, Baidoo, Rapp
Betting OddsVia Bet365
Tottenham: 1/6
Draw: 15/2
Elfsborg: 11/1
Where to watch?
The match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will kick off 5:45pm GMT on Thursday, 30 January and will be live on TNT Sports for UK viewers.
Prediction: Tottenham 3-0 Elfsborg
Despite their recent woes, Spurs will have too much firepower for the visitors to handle on Thursday evening.
Nights under the lights against inferior European opposition provide the perfect opportunity for youngsters Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear to lay down a statement of intent.
Postecoglou can give his overworked first-team stars a much-needed respite while securing qualification to the round of 16.
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