Tottenham vs Gent – Match Preview

It’s another night of European action for Tottenham this Evening at Wembley, although the competition will have changed since the last time they played here back in December. That night saw them face CSKA Moscow in what was for all intents and purposes a Europa League play-off after both teams failed to make it out of the Champions League group stages.

With Tottenham edging past the side from the Russian Capital it secured the back up prize of Europa League football in the New Year and they will hope that they can continue winning ways at what is soon to be a “home” on a fortnightly basis.

That’s because they come into this game having to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg after defeat to Gent in Belgium last Thursday. Jeremy Perbet’s goal in the second half for the home side was to earn a memorable victory and were it not for the acrobatics of Hugo Lloris it could have very well been a different story.

Lloris was called upon to make sure that Gent did not double their advantage with Tottenham on the ropes once going behind. Thankfully the scoreline stayed at just 1-0 to the Belgian outfit and although a far from ideal scoreline the tie is very much in the balance.

After two away defeats to both Liverpool and the aforementioned loss in Gent, many were wondering if it was going to be a hat-trick of imperfect away days for Mauricio Pochettino’s men when they made the short trip to Fulham on Sunday in the F.A. Cup.

Thankfully there was a hat-trick of the right kind as Harry Kane was on hand to bag a trio of goals which sees Spurs progress to the Quarter Finals where they now play host to Millwall in what will be the last ever cup game to take place at White Hart Lane.

That win was much welcomed as a defeat at Craven Cottage could have seen their season collapse on them, but thankfully it seems as if Tottenham’s attacking guile has been restored at just the right time as they are certainly going to need it Tonight.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino was perhaps accused of playing somewhat of a disjointed side last Thursday with the attacking trio isolated from each other but they look much more assured against Fulham at the weekend and you would have to imagine a very similar if not the same line up will start this Evening.

The only positions that may be up for debate are at right back and in centre midfield, both Kieran Trippier and Harry Winks impressed on Sunday and are once again pushing for inclusion and with Sunday’s Premier League game around the corner they could very well be thrust into the limelight.

Gent come into this game with the one goal advantage but perhaps not with the best preparation as they could only manage a draw away at Standard Liege at the weekend. That 1-1 result in Liege means that they stay 8th in the Belgian First Division.

Tottenham fans have said that although the disappointment of dropping down into this competition cannot be understated, now that they are in the competition then they would love to have a crack at going all the way and winning a first trophy since 2008.

Not only that but it would also offer a path back to the Champions League and what with the race for the Top 4 getting ever tighter then that prize could be all the more required. But dreams of entry to Europe’s top club competition can only be considered if they clear this hurdle.

After that win over Fulham there can be no better preparation and you would have to imagine that Tottenham will have enough to overturn the slender deficit from the first leg. Don’t forget though that a goal for Gent would mean that Spurs would have to score at least 3, so the tie is still on a knife edge.

The Belgian duo of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are going to have to make sure that they can keep their compatriots (well at least some of the team anyway) at bay otherwise the task in hand gets a lot tougher. Should the clean sheet be kept at one end then I think that Tottenham’s attacking prowess will see them through to the Round of 16. A “home” win and progress into the next round for me.