Friday 6 November 2015 11:29, UK
Tottenham have just three days to recover for the north London derby against Arsenal on Super Sunday after their 2-1 win over Anderlecht in the Europa League.
The Thursday-Sunday grind took its toll on Mauricio Pochettino's men last season as they took just 14 points from a possible 30 after Europa League fixtures as well as losing the Capital One Cup final to Chelsea three days after a defeat in Fiorentina ended their European campaign.
But this year they have fared rather better, winning twice and drawing once after their European fixtures. So have Spurs found a cure? We examine their record ahead of Sunday's big game...
Tottenham 3-1 Qarabag (Thursday, September 17)
Tottenham opened their Europa League campaign with a 3-1 win over Azerbaijani side Qarabag at White Hart Lane. The Lilywhites fell behind to an early penalty, but summer signing Heung-Min Son scored twice in two minutes in the first half and Erik Lamela wrapped up the victory in the closing stages.
Tottenham 1-0 Crystal Palace (Sunday, September 20)
Three days later, Spurs welcomed Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace to north London. The Eagles had beaten Chelsea in their previous Premier League away game, but Spurs claimed the win thanks to another strike from Son. Harry Kane, Jan Vertonghen and Nacer Chadli returned to the starting line-up having been rested in midweek.
Monaco 1-1 Tottenham (Thursday, October 1)
Pochettino fielded a strong side for Tottenham's trip to Monaco, with Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose for Kyle Walker and Ben Davies the only unenforced changes from their 4-1 win over Manchester City. Lamela opened the scoring in the first half, but Stephan El Shaarawy grabbed a late equaliser to deny Spurs an away win.
Swansea 2-2 Tottenham (Sunday, October 4)
Spurs' trip to the south of France was followed by a trip to south Wales. They fell behind to Andre Ayew's early opener, but Eriksen equalised. Kane scored an unfortunate own goal just four minutes later, but Eriksen struck again in the second half as they claimed a point.
Anderlecht 2-1 Tottenham (Thursday, October 22)
Eriksen gave Spurs the perfect start when he put them in front after just four minutes in Belgium, but they were unable to hold on to their lead. Guillaume Gillet equalised in the 13th minute, and Stefano Okaka gave the home side the win when he struck 15 minutes from time. Despite having 67 per cent of the possession, Spurs went home empty handed.
Bournemouth 1-5 Tottenham (Sunday, October 25)
Matt Ritchie's opening goal after just 49 seconds at the Vitality Stadium suggested Spurs had not shaken off their Europa League hangover, but they responded in emphatic style. Kane, Mousa Dembele and Lamela put them 3-1 up at the break, and Kane completed a treble in the second half.
Tottenham 2-1 Anderlecht (Thursday, November 5)
Spurs moved to the top of Group J with a 2-1 win over Anderlecht. Harry Kane opened the scoring at White Hart Lane, but substitute Imoh Ezekiel equalised just three minutes after coming on in the second half. The match appeared to be heading to a draw, but Mousa Dembele clinched the win with a brilliant late strike to send the Lilywhites into the north London derby on a high.
Conclusion
Tottenham have had few problems recovering from their Europa League exertions so far, and their record bodes well for Sunday's game. The 5-1 win over Bournemouth was the perfect way to follow up from their last meeting with Anderlecht, and they will be hoping for another strong response they visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Watch Arsenal v Tottenham live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 3.30pm on Sunday, or watch without a contract on NOW TV
