The 2020/21 UEFA Europa League group stages continue this week and on Thursday night we have a meeting between Royal Antwerp and Tottenham Hotspur in Group J.
The game will be played at the Bosuilstadion with the hosts in second place on 3 points and the visitors above them on goal difference.
Royal Antwerp made a good start to the group as they defeated Ludogorets 2-1 away from home. Having fallen a goal behind just after half time, Royal Antwerp scored two goals in the space of 7 minutes to take maximum points. That victory extended their current winning streak to 5 matches in all competitions.
Following the victory in Bulgaria, Royal Antwerp defeated Beerschot 3-2 at home in the Belgian First Division A. They were 2-0 up after only 15 minutes and despite allowing their opponents back into the match, Royal Antwerp scored the winning goal with 16 minutes remaining on the clock.
Trends show Royal Antwerp are difficult to beat at home and they are undefeated in their last 20 matches in all competitions. However, this will be their first game at home in the Europa League group stages having previously reached the qualifying rounds.
Of their last 5 matches in the Europa League, Royal Antwerp have seen 4 low scoring games, each with under 2.5 goals.
Tottenham Hotspur come into the game following a narrow 1-0 win at Burnley in the Premier League on Monday night. Spurs were not at their best and Burnley made things difficult but they managed to make the breakthrough in the second half thanks to the combination of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.
Tottenham hotspur started their Europa League campaign with a home fixture against Austrian club LASK Linz. It took Spurs only 18 minutes to make the breakthrough and they were 2-0 up before half-time. A third goal late in the game sealed the victory and saw Spurs take an early lead at the top of the group.
Tottenham Hotspur are currently on a good run of 10 matches in all competitions without defeat. Away results include victories at Southampton, Manchester United, and Burnley in the Premier League plus Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Shkendija in the Europa League.
Trends show Spurs have won their last 3 matches in the Europa League by at least 2 goals but have won only 3 of their last 10 away games in the competition.
Team news and Royal Antwerp have been hit by COVID-19 and Dylan Batubinsika, Jordan Lukaku, Manuel Benson Hedilazio, and Alexis de Sart all miss out. Bruny Nsimba and Sander Coopman are injured.
Tottenham Hotspur have just one doubt with Japhet Tanganga carrying as muscle injury. Expect Jose Mourinho to make several changes to his team from Monday night.
Despite being the favourites to win this match, a much-changed Tottenham Hotspur could find Royal Antwerp difficult opposition. We expect to see both teams find the back of the net but the match could end level.