Europa League Preview: Basel - Tottenham
After a late Gylfi Sigurdsson equalizer spared his side’s blushes at White Hart Lane, Andre Villas-Boas will look to up the ante as his injury-blighted squad travels to Switzerland.
After being punished for complacency at White Hart Lane, Tottenham is in need of a stellar showing to seal victory on its travels for the first time in six outings.
With William Gallas (calf), Aaron Lennon (knee) and talisman Gareth Bale (ankle) all becoming fresh additions to the Spurs treatment table after last week’s encounter, Andre Villas-Boas will be forced into a number of changes to the starting lineup.
With Jermaine Defoe aggravating an ongoing pelvic injury, Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to lead the line on Thursday, while Kyle Naughton is expected to make way for Kyle Walker as the bustling right back returns from suspension.
Gylfi Sigurdsson is likely to be handed a start after his late equalizer against Everton, alongside Michael Dawson who is expected to fill in for the injured Gallas and Brad Friedel who will once again come in for Hugo Lloris.
Basel was a little short of a revelation in the first leg, with Marco Strellar, Valentin Stocker and Mohamad Salah all asking a number of questions of the Tottenham rearguard.
The tricky trio are all expected to start Thursday’s clash and may be joined by the experienced Alexander Frei if coach Murat Yakin elects to field two strikers on home turf.
Park Joo-Ho and Marcelo Diaz are both back in contention after returning from suspension, whilst the now-fit Cabral could claim a place in the starting 11 after his cameo at White Hart Lane.
Philipp Degen has also recovered from injury, but is unlikely to displace Salah in the starting team after the Egyptian’s sterling performance in the first leg.
With William Gallas (calf), Aaron Lennon (knee) and talisman Gareth Bale (ankle) all becoming fresh additions to the Spurs treatment table after last week’s encounter, Andre Villas-Boas will be forced into a number of changes to the starting lineup.
With Jermaine Defoe aggravating an ongoing pelvic injury, Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to lead the line on Thursday, while Kyle Naughton is expected to make way for Kyle Walker as the bustling right back returns from suspension.
Gylfi Sigurdsson is likely to be handed a start after his late equalizer against Everton, alongside Michael Dawson who is expected to fill in for the injured Gallas and Brad Friedel who will once again come in for Hugo Lloris.
Basel was a little short of a revelation in the first leg, with Marco Strellar, Valentin Stocker and Mohamad Salah all asking a number of questions of the Tottenham rearguard.
The tricky trio are all expected to start Thursday’s clash and may be joined by the experienced Alexander Frei if coach Murat Yakin elects to field two strikers on home turf.
Park Joo-Ho and Marcelo Diaz are both back in contention after returning from suspension, whilst the now-fit Cabral could claim a place in the starting 11 after his cameo at White Hart Lane.
Philipp Degen has also recovered from injury, but is unlikely to displace Salah in the starting team after the Egyptian’s sterling performance in the first leg.
- Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel is the oldest player left in this year’s competition and, at 41, is older than both Andre Villas-Boas and Basel coach Murat Yakin.
- Jan Vertonghen (pictured right) has appeared in all 1020 minutes of Tottenham’s Europa League campaign.
- Spurs and Rubin Kazan are the only two survivors from the seven clubs granted automatic entry to the Europa League at the group stage.
- Tottenham has not won a game in any competition without the injured Gareth Bale scoring since New Years Day.
- Basel has tasted defeat just once since November, when the club lost 1-0 away to Zenit St Petersburg in the last-16 of the Europa League.
- The Swiss champion has won its last four home Europa League games without conceding a single goal.
- Basel has picked up 23 yellow cards and three red cards in this year’s competition, more so than any other side.
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