Europa League Group J: Tottenham to turn tables on Anderlecht

Holly Thackeray | November 4, 2015

Tottenham v Anderlecht

Spurs to bounce back from Belgian battle blow

Tottenham find themselves in a tricky position as the Europa League resumes, having been beaten by Belgian opponents Anderlecht last time out, but are odds-on 7/10 match favourites with Coral to wreak revenge in the reverse.

The boys from Brussels pinched a 2-1 win on home turf to leave Spurs stranded in third spot, but the Londoners now have a chance to leapfrog their visitors as only goal difference stands between the two.

Having smashed three past Aston Villa on Monday, without truly flexing their attacking muscles, Mauricio Pochettino’s men are 5/2 to score three or more again.

Another defeat at the hands of this opposition, with the Purple and White priced at 4/1 to win, would be troubling for the capital club, however, in this tightest of tables.

“Under pressure”

Speaking before the Thursday night fray at White Hart Lane, Pochettino stressed the need for his team to play to the best of their ability, saying: “We need to realise that we need to compete in every game, in every single minute, in each different game, in each different competition. We’re under pressure but I am happy about that.

“We need to feel the pressure because here, we didn’t feel the pressure after 10 minutes and it seemed it was an easy game. Then 2-1 and we lose,” added the Argentine.

Yet, despite those words, Spurs could field somewhat of a second string side, with Dele Alli widely expected to be pushed further up the pitch to allow playmaker Christian Eriksen a rest. The Englishman has excelled since being paired alongside Eric Dier in deep midfield and scored a spectacular volley last time out, so customers can back the young-gun at 11/4 to strike again anytime.

Dangerous Dembele

Belgian midfielder Moussa Dembele, meanwhile, dispatched the opener against Villa and is 9/1 to net first again against this club from his home country. The adaptable attacker has now hit two in as many of his past matches and hopes to continue being clinical, stating: “I don’t want to stop here, I want to keep scoring and be important for the team.”

Should further firepower be required, back in-form forward Harry Kane is 3/1 to notch last, while summer signing Son Heung-min may be fit enough to feature for the first time since September, though defender Danny Rose is an injury doubt and winger Andros Towsend has been omitted from the squad.

Andy Najar on Pochettino’s radar?

As for Anderlcht’s attacking potential, Tottenham should certainly be clued-up, as the London club are said to be tracking wideman Najar. The fit again forward is 8/1 to fire in anytime, while excellent odds in the same market are also available for fellow Premier League target Youri Tielemans (6/1) and former Sampdoria striker Stefano Okaka (2/1).

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Take a peek at our other Europa League previews

Coral’s top tip: Back exciting Alli at 11/4 to score again anytime