Fiorentina vs Tottenham Hotspur; UEFA Europa League Knockout Play-offs
Fiorentina vs Tottenham Hotspur. UEFA Europa League Knockout Play-offs.
Artemio Franchi.
3-1
Fiorentina v Tottenham preview: Spurs travel to Florence for Europa League round-of-32 second leg
Thursday 26 February 2015 17:53, UK
Tottenham travel to Italy to face Fiorentina in the Europa League round-of-32 second leg after a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane last week.
Spurs will be up against it in Florence after Josa Maria Basanta's away goal, and face Chelsea in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley just three days later.
Mauricio Pochettino must decide whether to drop his first-team regulars in preparation for the final on Sunday, while also being aware that the Europa League winners will be given a place in the Champions League next season.
Tottenham have lost just three times in 18 games in all competitions, but are without a win in three after two draws and a defeat since their 2-1 win over Arsenal on February 7.
Meanwhile, Vincenzo Montella's Fiorentina are unbeaten in 10, and have kept 11 clean sheets this season in all competitions.
Team news
Goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu is a doubt, meaning Montella may be forced recall Neto, who was dropped earlier in the season for refusing to sign a new contract.
Borja Valero is also a doubt, while Giuseppe Rossi and Federico Bernardeschi are still out injured.
Spurs have no fresh injury concerns for the second leg, but all eyes will be on Pochettino's selection ahead of the Capital One Cup final.
Key players Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen could make way, with the likes of Paulinho, Ben Davies and Federico Fazio waiting in the wings.
Betting
Tottenham are rated as outsiders both to win on Thursday night in Florence and reach the Europa League last 16 by Sky Bet. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are 12/5 to Fiorentina’s price of 21/20 to progress with a victory, while the visitors are 11/8 to qualify. However, Jamie Redknapp is backing his former club to prevail, going for a 2-1 win at 11/1 in his Sky Bet tips and Christian Eriksen to score first at 9/1. Mario Gomez is the favourite in the first goalscorer market at 9/2, while Harry Kane is considered Spurs’ main threat at 13/2 to break the deadlock.