Syed Talib
Updated on: October 14, 2024 9:38 am GMT
As Tottenham Hotspur gears up for their UEFA Europa League opener against Qarabag on Thursday, all eyes are on the pitch to see if they can finally turn their season around. Coming off two recent victories, Spurs are clinging to the hope that this match will ignite a successful campaign on the European stage.
Spurs’ Recent Form
Despite their early-season struggles in the Premier League, Tottenham demonstrated resilience, bouncing back with a solid 3-1 victory over Brentford after a prior win against Coventry City in the EFL Cup. However, concerns linger as the team only managed to scrape together four points from their first four league matches.
- Last Matches:
– 3-1 win vs. Brentford
– 2-1 win vs. Coventry City
- Premier League Position: Underwhelming start with only four points from four matches
The Europa League presents an opportunity for Spurs to build confidence. Winning this match wouldn’t just help in establishing momentum, but it would also be a much-needed morale boost before they face a challenging sequence of away games, including a trip to Manchester United on Sunday.
The Challenge of Qarabag
Tottenham faces Qarabag, the Azerbaijani league leaders, who are on a three-match winning streak. Historically, Spurs have performed well against Qarabag, having won both of their previous encounters in the Europa League group stages in 2015. However, overcoming complacency will be crucial for a team eager to rectify its rocky start.
- Spurs vs. Qarabag History:
– Previous meetings: Spurs won 3-1 and 1-0
– Qarabag’s record against English teams: 0-6
What to Expect on the Pitch
With injuries and suspensions affecting their squad, Tottenham will need to tap into their youthful talent. Cristian Romero is suspended, and Richarlison is sidelined with an injury, opening the door for players like Mikey Moore and Archie Gray.
Here’s a predicted lineup for Spurs against Qarabag:
- Goalkeeper: Brandon Austin
- Defenders: Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies
- Midfielders: Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma
- Forwards: Brennan Johnson, Lucas Bergvall, Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke
This week, Spurs will likely lean on players who haven’t had as much game time, with the expectation that they will rise to the occasion. Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to play, showcasing his skills after a solid performance against Brentford.
Factors Influencing the Matchup
While Tottenham enters the match as overwhelming favorites, statistical models further reinforce this expectation. The Opta supercomputer predicts an 81% likelihood for Spurs to progress to the knockout rounds of the competition. For this match specifically:
- Probability of Outcomes:
– Spurs win: 64.3%
– Draw: 19.1%
– Qarabag win: 16.6%
This prediction highlights how much Tottenham is anticipated to dominate the matchup, despite Qarabag’s recent successes.
Some additional notes to keep in mind:
- Qarabag has struggled against English clubs, making this matchup particularly challenging for them.
- Spurs have a mixed history in European competitions, having not advanced past the last 16 in various competitions over the years.
Looking Ahead
If Tottenham manages to secure a win, it could set the third consecutive victory for the club—something they haven’t achieved since December of last year. This achievement would be essential for building confidence before their challenging away fixtures after the Qarabag match.
However, the pressure will remain high. A poor showing could see Spurs continue to spiral in the league and raise questions about their potential to advance in Europe. As head coach Ange Postecoglou prepares the squad, he understands the importance of this match.
Spurs fans will be eagerly watching to see how their team responds, especially given the momentum they seem to be building. Moreover, a solid showing against Qarabag might just be the spark needed to kickstart a more consistent performance for Tottenham this season.
Conclusion
The UEFA Europa League match against Qarabag on Thursday is really important for Tottenham Hotspur. It’s not just another game; it’s a chance for them to show they can be a great team in Europe and to feel good about themselves again. With their fans cheering them on, Spurs can turn things around after a rocky start to the season. They want to prove that things can only get better, and they’ll be ready to do just that against Qarabag.
