Tottenham Hotspur
vs
KAA Gent
Kick-off
20:05 GMT
23 February 2017
As the Europa League comes back into full swing, Gent make the trip to London as they face Tottenham in the second leg of their last 16 tie. After losing 1-0 in Gent in the first leg, Spurs will be hopeful they can turn the deficit round. Gent will look to frustrate the hosts and then hopefully catch Tottenham on the counter attack, surely the only game plan they can deploy in order to make it through to the next stage of the knockouts.
The only past fixture between the sides was in the first leg, therefore Gent have a 100% win rate against this week’s opponents.
Pochettino’s side should have no problems getting through to the next round of the Europa League with a fully available squad except for one player. Erik Lamela will miss the game with a hip injury that he picked up back in October. This gives Spurs a great chance to advance to the next round in a European competition, something they haven’t been able to do for a few years now.
Latest matches: Tottenham Hotspur
19.02.2017 | FA C | Fulham FC | Tottenham Hotspur | 0:3 | W |
16.02.2017 | UEFA | KAA Gent | Tottenham Hotspur | 1:0 | L |
11.02.2017 | Prem | Liverpool FC | Tottenham Hotspur | 2:0 | L |
04.02.2017 | Prem | Tottenham Hotspur | Middlesbrough FC | 1:0 | W |
31.01.2017 | Prem | Sunderland AFC | Tottenham Hotspur | 0:0 | D |
Gent also have a fully fit side to choose from, which gives them the best possible chance of progression into the next round. A defensive side will probably be the choice for Gent as they look to hold on to their slender lead away at Tottenham as they know they’ll struggle to gain a lead of their own.
Latest matches: KAA Gent
19.02.2017 | Pro | Standard Liege | KAA Gent | 1:1 | D |
16.02.2017 | UEFA | KAA Gent | Tottenham Hotspur | 1:0 | W |
11.02.2017 | Pro | KAA Gent | AS Eupen | 0:1 | L |
05.02.2017 | Pro | SV Zulte Waregem | KAA Gent | 1:1 | D |
29.01.2017 | Pro | KAA Gent | Club Brugge | 2:0 | W |
As Tottenham are on their own soil, they should certainly see themselves progress through to the next round of the Europa League but if Gent manage to grab an early away goal, then it will be uphill task for Spurs to get back into it. Spurs fans will definitely expect to beat Gent but a defensive game plan might put pain to any chance of a Spurs win.
23 February 2017 - 20:05 GMT
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