Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to salvage their season when they host Bodo/Glimt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night.
Spurs are aiming to qualify for their first European final since 2019, when they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League. The same opponents lifted their Premier League title on Sunday by smashing Ange Postecoglou’s travelling troops 5-1 at Anfield.
With four matches remaining of a woeful top-flight campaign, Ange Postecoglou has put all his eggs in the Europa League basket. The Australian’s side have lost all their last three games across all competitions heading into the game against Bodo/Glimt, but being favourites on paper, the pressure will be on Tottenham to perform in front of their fans.
Tottenham Team News
Son Heung-min remains a doubt for the home side after missing the last four matches with a foot injury, however, Spurs are hopeful that their skipper will be fit to make the squad at least in midweek.
Radu Dragusin is a long-term casualty, while Antonin Kinsky and Timo Werner are not registered for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Predicted Tottenham lineup vs Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Guglielmo Vicario shipped five goals at Liverpool on Sunday, so he will have to step up and produce a strong night between the sticks against the Norwegian side.
Defence
After making eight changes to the starting XI against Liverpool, Postecoglou should revert to a full-strength XI on Thursday night. As a result, centre-back pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will walk back into the team, replacing Kevin Danso and Ben Davies in the process.
Pedro Porro will also be restored in the XI, starting at right-back ahead of Djed Spence. Destiny Udogie, meanwhile, should keep his spot at left-back.
Midfield
Rodrigo Bentancur was not involved against Liverpool, so he will be fresh to anchor the Spurs midfield. Joining him in the centre of the park will be Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison.
Bergvall had a poor game at Anfield, but Postecoglou is expected to stick with the Sweden international. The hosts’ creative nucleus will be Maddison, who possesses the skill set to unlock the Bodo/Glimt defence.
Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Archie Gray will offer cover from the bench.
Attack
After an anonymous 90 minutes at Anfield, Brennan Johnson is likely to make way for Dejan Kulusevski on the right wing. Mathys Tel could retain his spot on the left flank, with Dominic Solanke, who scored a fine header against Liverpool, tasked with leading the Spurs attack again.
Richarlison and Wilson Odobert would be attacking options on the bench for Postecoglou.
