Off the back of a jaw-dropping 4-0 win over Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur host Roma in a crunch Europa League clash on Thursday. While Roma continues to find its feet under new manager Claudio Ranieri, Spurs will look to their momentum in North London.
Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur head into this game full of confidence after handing Pep Guardiola his heaviest home defeat ever. The 4-0 victory has solidified Ange Postecoglou’s side as the top scorers in the Premier League, though their frailties at the back-meaning just three clean sheets so far-have hindered their climb in the table. Currently sixth and three points off the top four, Spurs need consistency if their European dreams are to be kept alive.
Despite recent stumbles – including a shocking loss to Ipswich Town and a narrow defeat to Galatasaray, Spurs boast an impressive Europa League home record. They’ve won their last seven home matches in the competition without conceding, scoring 19 goals in the process.
For Roma, the season has been rollercoaster-like. The Italian club has already gone through three permanent managers, with Ranieri coming in to save a sinking ship. Currently positioned 12th in Serie A and 20th in the Europa League standings, the Romanisti need a comeback, and fast. However, their abysmal away record across the Thames—winless since 2001—does not look promising for this fixture.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs are severely tested at the back as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is ruled out after ankle surgery, and Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, first-choice centre-backs, are absent as well, meaning Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies anchor the back four.
Rodrigo Bentancur is fit to feature since his domestic suspension does not affect him in Europe. However, Will Lankshear (suspension) and Mikey Moore (illness) will not feature.
Predicted Lineup:
Forster; Spence, Dragusin, Davies, Gray; Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall; Johnson, Solanke, Werner
Roma
Claudio Ranieri, despite limited squad changes, can retain the 4-4-2 formation he used against Napoli. Lorenzo Pellegrini returns from injury last week, with Paulo Dybala a fitness concern still. Mario Hermoso and Alexis Saelemaekers are close to returning, but Eldor Shomurodov is ruled out with a muscle injury.
Predicted Lineup:
Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Hummels, Angelino; Soule, Baldanzi, Cristante, Zalewski; Dybala, Dovbyk
Key Stats
Spurs have lost only one of their 10 home games against Italian sides.
Roma have won just one of their 23 matches in England, with their last victory coming back in 2001.
Tottenham have scored 19 goals in their last seven Europa League home games and not conceded any.
Prediction
With Roma in terrible form and Spurs having never lost at home in Europe this season, this seems a banker for the North London side. Inconsistency remains the key to Spurs’ fragility, but Roma’s miserable away form in England, along with their managerial changes of late, suggest an easy three points for the hosts.
Score Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Roma
