Tottenham would be looking to turnaround a three goal deficit as they take on Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League tie. Tottenham were outplayed and outgunned by the Dortmund side a week ago but Spurs did field an inexperienced side as they lost the tie.
This time around it might be a little different as Spurs would be looking to at least salvage some pride in the home game. Tottenham did win their last game against Aston Villa and that could serve well as they look to beat Dortmund but with the Premier League now looking a better opportunity to get a title, would Spurs actually play to their potential?
Team news:
Tottenham are still without the services of Jan Vertonghen and Clinton N’Jie as the duo remain out for a long time due to serious injuries. There are no other concerns for Tottenham as they have a full side to choose from.
Dortmund on the other hand could be without the services of two key men as Sven Bender, who played in defence in the last game and Ilkay Gundagon could be missing in this game with foot injuries, certainly not something that Thomas Tuchel would want.
Probable starting line-ups:
Tottenham starting XI: Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Kevin Wimmer, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen, Moussa Dembele, Dele Alli, Harry Kane
Borussia Dortmund starting XI: Roman Burki, Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Erik Durm, Marcel Schmelzer, Lukasz Piszczek, Julian Weigl, Ilkay Gundagon, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marco Reus
Stats:
- Borussia Dortmund are yet to taste defeat in 2016
- Tottenham are unbeaten in nine home games in European competitions
- Only one side has been able to turnaround a three goal deficit from the first leg in the Europa League and that was Valencia in 2013-14
Form guide: Last five games in all competitions (Right most game being the last one played)
Borussia Dortmund: WWDWW
Tottenham: WLDLW
Prediction:
The damage was already done in the first leg when Tottenham fielded a young squad which got beaten rather easily by a brilliant Dortmund side. Tottenham know the league holds a greater chance of glory than the Europa League, while it is the opposite story for Dortmund as they know the Europa League could land them some silverware this season.
Tottenham might as well start with a strong side but that would not be enough to overturn this huge deficit that they self-inflicted. Dortmund might not go for the jugular.