Tottenham v Fiorentina preview: Harry Kane ruled out of second leg

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been ruled out of Thursday's Europa League round-of-32 second-leg clash at home to Fiorentina.

Kane broke his nose during the FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend and will sit out the game at White Hart Lane, which stands at 1-1, but should return against Swansea on Saturday. 

It will be the first time this season Kane has not been named either in the starting line-up or on the bench for a Spurs fixture.

Tottenham are looking to make it to the last 16 of the Europa League for the third straight season, while Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last seven games having won 3-2 at Atalanta on Sunday in Serie A.

Team news

Spurs' Mousa Dembele's came off at half-time against Palace with a groin injury and is now set to be out for
between 10 days and two weeks, meaning he is likely to miss the north London derby against Arsenal next month.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Mauricio Pochettino is boosted by the return of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who has been struggling with a shoulder injury, and Erik Lamela, who has recovered from a bout of illness.

Tom Carroll, however, is out with an Achilles problem while Jan Vertonghen and Clinton Njie remain sidelined with knee injuries.

Opta stats

This will be the 15th meeting between Spurs and an Italian side in European competition, with the north London club winning just four previous games (W4 D6 L4).

Three of those four wins came at White Hart Lane however (AC Milan in 1972, Inter Milan in  both 2010 and 2013).

Fiorentina are unbeaten in five European games against English opposition (W3 D2), with two of those coming against Spurs last season.

Tottenham have lost just one of the last 20 European matches at White Hart Lane, netting an impressive 50 goals and conceding just 17 (W15 D4 L1).

In fact - Spurs have scored in 19 successive home games in European competition now.

In contrast, Fiorentina have themselves lost just once in 16 Europa League away matches, conceding two or more on just two occasions.

Charlie's predictions

I thought it was strange to see Spurs play such a strong team in the first leg because their results have been poor after Europa League trips and the outcome was their defeat to Crystal Palace.

Mauricio Pochettino is obviously keen on winning this competition, but what I would have said that this is the one competition they didn't need to go far in. Unlike Liverpool and United, they don't need to win it for a Champions League place because they're going to be in the top four.

All these games are coming thick and fast now and I think they'll put out another strong side, go out to win it in the first half and, even though Fiorentina are a good side, I expect Spurs to come through here.

Charlie predicts: 2-0 and Christian Eriksen to score first (40/1 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Tottenham are odds-on with Sky Bet to qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League with Fiorentina 7/4 shots. Spurs, 14/1 to lift the trophy, can be backed at odds of 3/4 to win on the night with their visitors given a 19/5 chance, while another 1-1 draw and extra-time is a 6/1 chance.

The Sky Sports pundits are unanimous in their backing of Spurs to win on the night. See their predictions and Price Boosts here.