Thursday 20th October 2011. White Hart Lane. Kick off 8.05pm. Channel 5.
Thursday night sees a top of the table clash in Group A of the Europa League. Visitors Rubin Kazan like Spurs have taken four points from their opening two games of the Group stages and are sure to provide the Lilywhites toughest test yet in the competition.
The Tatarstan club have over the last couple of seasons been more used to playing in the Champions League group stages but fell to Lyon in the playoffs this year. Rubin of course are the team who shocked Barcelona with a 2-1 win at the Nou Camp in 2009 and this should prove warning enough for Spurs. It should be noted however that the team has changed somewhat since then and that they are only 6th in the Russian Premier League this season. Still it would be foolish for Harry Redknapp to underestimate the opponents and this game may see a stronger Spurs line up than previous Europa matches.
Rubin’s forwards are likely to provide a big threat. Obafemi Martins – who should of course be remembered for his goal that beat Arsenal in last seasons League Cup Final – along with Paraguayan Nelson Haedo Valdez are the most likely candidates. In midfield Brazilian Carlos Eduardo is one to watch out for. He was highly rated at Hoffenheim and surprised many by choosing to go to Russia when bigger clubs in Europe where showing an interest. At the back Kazan are not to be taken lightly either. Former Real Madrid youth teamer Cesar Navas forms a strong central partnership with Italian international Salvatore Bocchetti, while Christian Ansaldi is a dangerous attacking full back.
So what can we expect from Spurs line up? As usual, injuries mean that a few players are already out of the equation, particularly in defence. There is no reason why Carlo Cudicini won’t start in goal, and looking at availability it seems the back four will be fairly strong, in fact probably the one that finished the match against Newcastle, unless Redknapp wants to rest Assou-Ekotto in favour of Rose or Townsend. It should be hoped that if Townsend does play it isn’t at the back as he is clearly far more comfortable and effective further upfield. In midfield, it’s to be expected that Gio Dos Santos will continue on one wing with either Townsend or Bale most likely the other side. In the centre, Redknapp will have to decide how much he trusts in Jake Livermore and Tom Carroll. They seem to have shown enough in previous games that they can handle the responsibility and if given the chance could flourish and provide them with a massive boost in confidence. Up front Pavlyuchenko is likely to get another chance to stink or swim, most likely alongside Defoe again.
My Prediction
Kazan will certainly prove to be a stern test but one that Spurs should be able to pass. It won’t be a walk in the park but a 2-1 victory should be achievable.
COYS
Stuart Watts
Follow the blog on Twitter @THFC1882dotcom
The Odds (all odds from Oddschecker.com and correct at 2215 on 18/10/11)
Spurs win: 7-10
Draw: 13-5
Rubin win: 9-2
My prediction (Spurs 2-1 win): 7-1
First Spurs scorers:
Adebayor/Defoe: 4-1
Pavlyuchenko: 9-2
Bale/Giovani: 13-2
Free bets available from Freebetssport.com
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Wish I shared your optimism. Carroll plus Livermore would be very late against a much stronger side than we have faced before. I think we’ll play a weaker team and grind out a draw when we strengthen later on in the match. Going to be very interesting!
I’m very disappointed with Spurs and the way they develop players/ Livermore is another huddlestone. Why do we promote these ponderous poser players? We never seem to be able to turnout players that have that “graftability” in their game. Against the toon ol rednapp shifted moderic for livermore and we conceded whilst livermore was still up field. These terms defensive/attacking mids is rubbish. Modders does it all. It’s just rednapps failinga as a manger to recognise this.
Moders will leave very soon..I would. The end of this season will see spurs in rebuild mode once again as the likes of moders, bale and ade move for an ambitious club.
Spurs should try to win something this year and nothing bar a full strength team in the europa league will be good enough. Time for Livermore to move over and Spurs to introduce and faster tougher player..not a kicker. I often wonder how players like livermore break into the squad? Kane and Mason have scored many goals, almost for fun. Sounds like a beef against livermore but it isn’t i wish the lad well, but joggin around and turning up late for defensive abilities means getting rested. Moving moders for livermore??? playing bale on the right?? when will rednapp learn? how many more times will we drop points coz harry moves his best players from their best positions! Sick and tired of seasons with so much potential being wasted..same for the young guns.
I hope spurs take this game and the competition seriously. I can only see spurs making 6th at best in the prem. Less if moders moves in january as expected. Levy seems to have things iin hand at last apart from a class manager. Although as mentioned i can see a few good players going at the end of the season. Hopefully we can win this tournement. Although Harry deems it a nothing comp..which is rather odd as he’s won pretty much bugger all for the amount of time he’s been in the game. I hope this is his last season at spurs and he gets his dream of leading england. He’s done all he can do at spurs. he’s losing the battle with the star players and imo it will end up with spurs losing VDV. The guy cops stick for nothing, just so harry can court the media. VDV was the reason behind our champs league run. ade is a loanee, moders wants out, VDV will surely of had enough of harry’s capers and bale has said he’s not scared of going to italy (if moders moves). There’s one thing for sure when harry leaves a club he leaves it in a mess! I think we should brace for a similar result.