Tottenham Hotspur (7th in Premiership) v Sevilla (2nd in la Primera)
When: 20:45 (CET) - Thursday, April 12, 2007
Where: White Hart Lane, London.
Tottenham will take heart from Manchester United's stunning performance as they look to overturn a first leg deficit against Sevilla at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
The north Londoners will probably not be aiming to beat the high-flying Spaniards by the seven goals that the Red Devils put past Roma, but the emphasis on attacking from the start will be the same.
An early goal in the first leg gave the north Londoners' a head-start, but they were pegged back by a dubious penalty and then beaten by Aleksandr Kerzhakov's header.
That spot-kick decision that saw Sevilla draw level on the night has been a talking point ever since the game last week and the Spurs players have already said that it is an inspiration for the second encounter.
Just over 36 hours after that match in Spain, Martin Jol's side met Chelsea in the Premiership and were beaten by a single goal, but that may actually work in their favour.
Preparation Time
The Lilywhites have had all week to focus on what is, arguably, their biggest game of the campaign so far and tiredness can no longer be said to be a factor.
Sevilla had to wait until Sunday evening to play their following league fixture and the goalless draw at home to Racing Santander put a dent in the Andalucians' title challenge.
Both Jol and his Sevilla counterpart, Juande Ramos, rested players for their domestic outings and they will hope that the choice pays dividends.
While form may not count for much in what will be a hotly contested encounter, Spurs have made their own stadium a daunting place for visiting teams to go.
If Jol is to build a dynasty then he made it clear when he was first appointed that one of his main aims was to make White Hart Lane into a fortress.
Home Front
With 11 league wins, one draw and four defeats he is close to ensuring that his ambition comes true, while in Europe Spurs do still have a 100 per cent record on their own patch.
As for Sevilla their away form this term can only be described as inconsistent as they hold an incredible record of five wins, five draws and five defeats.
Ramos' side have scored 19 times on their travels, but also let in 16 goals in 15 matches, so they will have to well-drilled at the back to deny Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov a successful evening.
One of the key reasons that Spurs are pushing for a UEFA Cup place rather than a top four spot is their defence, however, as 18 goals conceded at home is not impressive.
Add to that the 27 let in on the road and it is clear to see why Ledley King's return has been so hotly anticipated and why the manager wants to add to his rearguard in the summer.
TEAM NEWS
Tottenham Hotspur: With King set to return from an injury that has seen him unable to play since Boxing Day, Jol was hoping to have a strong defence. He has received one piece of bad news in the run-up to the game, however, as right-back Paul Stalteri has suffered a hip injury. The Canadian's absence could see the home team field Teemu Tainio on the right, with Pascal Chimbonda moving to the left, and Steed Malbranque coming into midfield.
Probable Starting XI: Robinson; Tainio, Dawson, King, Chimbonda; Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque; Berbatov, Keane.
Sevilla: Andrés Palop has been ruled out of the game after he picked up a calf injury and is set to be replaced by the squad's second choice goalkeeper, David Cobeño. Up front, Sevilla's leading scorer in Europe this season, Ernesto Chevantón, is also sidelined after he suffereda knock during the goalless draw with Racing at the weekend.
Probable Starting XI: Cobeño; Hinkel, Navarro, Escudé, Castedo; Alves, Poulsen, Maresca, Correia; Renato; Kanouté.
When: 20:45 (CET) - Thursday, April 12, 2007
Where: White Hart Lane, London.
Tottenham will take heart from Manchester United's stunning performance as they look to overturn a first leg deficit against Sevilla at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
The north Londoners will probably not be aiming to beat the high-flying Spaniards by the seven goals that the Red Devils put past Roma, but the emphasis on attacking from the start will be the same.
An early goal in the first leg gave the north Londoners' a head-start, but they were pegged back by a dubious penalty and then beaten by Aleksandr Kerzhakov's header.
That spot-kick decision that saw Sevilla draw level on the night has been a talking point ever since the game last week and the Spurs players have already said that it is an inspiration for the second encounter.
Just over 36 hours after that match in Spain, Martin Jol's side met Chelsea in the Premiership and were beaten by a single goal, but that may actually work in their favour.
Preparation Time
The Lilywhites have had all week to focus on what is, arguably, their biggest game of the campaign so far and tiredness can no longer be said to be a factor.
Sevilla had to wait until Sunday evening to play their following league fixture and the goalless draw at home to Racing Santander put a dent in the Andalucians' title challenge.
Both Jol and his Sevilla counterpart, Juande Ramos, rested players for their domestic outings and they will hope that the choice pays dividends.
While form may not count for much in what will be a hotly contested encounter, Spurs have made their own stadium a daunting place for visiting teams to go.
If Jol is to build a dynasty then he made it clear when he was first appointed that one of his main aims was to make White Hart Lane into a fortress.
Home Front
With 11 league wins, one draw and four defeats he is close to ensuring that his ambition comes true, while in Europe Spurs do still have a 100 per cent record on their own patch.
As for Sevilla their away form this term can only be described as inconsistent as they hold an incredible record of five wins, five draws and five defeats.
Ramos' side have scored 19 times on their travels, but also let in 16 goals in 15 matches, so they will have to well-drilled at the back to deny Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov a successful evening.
One of the key reasons that Spurs are pushing for a UEFA Cup place rather than a top four spot is their defence, however, as 18 goals conceded at home is not impressive.
Add to that the 27 let in on the road and it is clear to see why Ledley King's return has been so hotly anticipated and why the manager wants to add to his rearguard in the summer.
TEAM NEWS
Tottenham Hotspur: With King set to return from an injury that has seen him unable to play since Boxing Day, Jol was hoping to have a strong defence. He has received one piece of bad news in the run-up to the game, however, as right-back Paul Stalteri has suffered a hip injury. The Canadian's absence could see the home team field Teemu Tainio on the right, with Pascal Chimbonda moving to the left, and Steed Malbranque coming into midfield.
Probable Starting XI: Robinson; Tainio, Dawson, King, Chimbonda; Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque; Berbatov, Keane.
Sevilla: Andrés Palop has been ruled out of the game after he picked up a calf injury and is set to be replaced by the squad's second choice goalkeeper, David Cobeño. Up front, Sevilla's leading scorer in Europe this season, Ernesto Chevantón, is also sidelined after he suffereda knock during the goalless draw with Racing at the weekend.
Probable Starting XI: Cobeño; Hinkel, Navarro, Escudé, Castedo; Alves, Poulsen, Maresca, Correia; Renato; Kanouté.
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