Tottenham’s tough qualifying campaign for the Europa League takes them to North Macedonia today as they visit KF Shkendija
Jose Mourinho’s side survived a scare against Lokomotiv Plovdiv last week, coming from behind to win late as the minnows finished with nine men
Spurs were due to play two games in 48 hours, but Tuesday night’s EFL Cup clash against Leyton Orient was called off after several O squad members tested positive for coronavirus
The tight schedule caused by the delayed start of the season due to the pandemic means Thursday’s game will be played over one set rather than the usual two
The match will be played behind closed doors at the Philip II Arena without fans due to the presence of government directives regarding the coronavirus
TV Channel: The match will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1, with coverage starting at 6:55 p.m.
Live broadcast: Premier Sports subscribers will be able to broadcast the match online Click here for more information
Jose Mourinho threw the gauntlet for Dele Alli by challenging the 24-year-old to play, so it would only be fair if the 24-year-old returns to the XI, having been excluded from the squad for both last matches
Mourinho doesn’t take Europa League qualifying lightly, but the cancellation of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup game against Leyton Orient could prompt the Tottenham boss to rotate his squad more than initially expected in Macedonia from North
Joe Hart was in line for his Spurs debut at Brisbane Road, so maybe have a chance ahead of Hugo Lloris, while Serge Aurier is also pushing for his first start of the season, albeit his future remains uncertain
Sergio Reguilon is not in the squad, so Ben Davies is expected to continue left-back, leaving the Spaniard free to face Newcastle on SundayTanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso are both struggling to play 90 minutes at the moment, so it is likely that Mourinho will start the Frenchman on Thursday and save Lo Celso for the weekend.
Harry Kane must play, according to Mourinho at least, as he remains the club’s only recognized center-forward, but the manager’s other trusted strikers Lucas Moura and Heung-min Son will surely be rested
Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso are both struggling to play 90 minutes at the moment, so it is likely that Mourinho will overtake the Frenchman on Thursday and save Lo Celso for the weekend
Harry Kane must play, according to Mourinho at least, as he remains the club’s only recognized center-forward, but the manager’s other trusted strikers Lucas Moura and Heung-min Son will surely be rested
Tottenham struggled against lower opposition last week but will surely have learned from their slow approach to this game and looked much sharper in the Premier League rout at Southampton on Sunday
They will be boosted by the fact that the cumulative game will not be as severe as expected thanks to the cancellation of the Orient draw and they will be eager to build momentum with a third consecutive victory before welcoming Newcastle Sunday
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Tottenham Hotspur FC, José Mourinho, UEFA Europa League, Dele Alli, KF Shkëndija
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SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com