Group J of the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League is concluded in terms of the two teams who will qualify for the knockout stages. Tottenham Hotspur and Royal Antwerp will progress to the Round of 32 but top spot in the group is still up for grabs as the teams meet on Thursday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The hosts are currently in second place on 10 points while the visitors are in first place on 12 points.
🏆 Today is your 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 to vote for Sonny to win the #Puskás Award!𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 ⤵️#THFC ⚪️ #COYS— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 9, 2020
🏆 Today is your 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 to vote for Sonny to win the #Puskás Award!𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 ⤵️#THFC ⚪️ #COYS
Tottenham Hotspur come into the match having recorded an excellent 2-0 home victory over local rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on the weekend. That result means Spurs are undefeated in their last 8 games in all competitions. However, the most recent match in the Europa League ended in a draw at LASK, with the Austrian club scoring an equalising goal in the final minute.
Spurs have won 3 of their 5 matches in Europa League Group J, with victories coming at home against LASK and Ludogorets and away against the Bulgarian club. In addition to the draw at LASK, Spurs suffered a shock 1-0 defeat in Belgium against Royal Antwerp and will want revenge.
Trends show Spurs have won each of their last 3 home Europa League games and have tasted just a single defeat in their 14 most recent home matches in the competition. Spurs have managed wins by 2 or more goals in 5 of their last 7 games in the Europa League.
Royal Antwerp travel to London having lost 4-2 at Genk in the Belgian First Division on the weekend. Royal Antwerp were leading the game 1-0 after only three minutes but found themselves 3-1 down after 59 minutes of the match. That result ended a run of 5 games in all competitions without defeat, including wins at LASK and at home over Ludogorets in the Europa League.
Royal Antwerp are undefeated in 6 of their last 7 Europa League games and have managed to win 4 out of their last 5 matches in the competition. The only defeat in the Europa League group stage this season came at home against LASK, which was a disappointing result considering the previous victory over Spurs at the Bosuilstadion.
Trends show Royal Antwerp have seen under 2.5 goals scored in 7 of their last 9 matches in the Europa League.
Team news on Tottenham Hotspur will be without the injured Erik Lamela and they also have doubts over the fitness of Tanguy NDombèlé. The likes of Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Gareth Bale, Harry Winks, and Dele Alli should start the game.
Royal Antwerp will definitely be without the injured duo of Sander Coopman and Nana Opoku Ampomah. Both Pieter Gerkens and Bruny Nsimba are doubts.
Spurs know a victory in this game will see them move to the top of the group and they come into the match as heavy favourites to succeed. We expect to see the hosts win this game by 2 or more goals and keep a clean sheet in the process.