The Spurs are thrilled to have claimed a place in the next round with minimal fuss, and they will most likely go through as the first-placed team in Group J.
Spurs are currently top of Group J with 10 points to their name, and finishing top is all but a formality. They are 3 points ahead of 2nd placed Anderlecht with nothing separating them in the head-to-head but Spurs have a +2 advantage in the goal difference column. A point would make sure that they are not forced to rely on the result from the other game in the group that is between Anderlecht and FK Qarabag in Brussels. Mauricio Pochettino’s side is enjyoing a very successful season with solitary losses in Premier League (Manchester United) and Europa League (Anderlecht) the only negative aspects of an amazing run. However, as is the case with many other Premier League clubs, as the League goes in the later stages, it is likely Tottenham will switch their attention to domestic league.
Monaco were initially installed as Tottenham’s main rivals but the French club occupy third place on six points and are likely to need a victory to claw their way back into the top two in order to progress. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the group stages as Stephan El Shaarawy’s late strike cancelled out Erik Lamela’s effort back in October. With qualification in balance, Monaco will probably throw caution to the wind and make use of the attacking prowess they possess in players such as Stephan El-Shaarawy, and Lacina Traore.
Match facts
- Tottenham are unbeaten in their last six games against French sides in Europe (W3 D3).
- Monaco have faced seven different English sides in European competition and hold victories over five of them (Leeds, Newcastle, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal). The only sides they haven’t beaten are Manchester United and Spurs.
- Indeed, the Red and Whites have lost just three of their 13 meetings home and away against English opposition (W6 D4).
- Harry Kane has scored in his last two Europa League games. He last scored in three consecutively in November 2014.
- Since beating Arsenal 3-1 in the Champions League last February, Monaco have won just once in Europe, excluding qualifiers (D4 L3).
- That match at the Emirates was the last time Monaco managed to score more than once in a proper European tie (four goals in eight games since).
- Tottenham have collected just two yellow cards over the course of the competition, a tournament low.
Head to head
The reverse fixture was the first meeting between Monaco and Spurs, and it ended 1-1.
Team news
Pochettino will be without the likes of Nabil Bentaleb, Nacer Chadli, Ryan Mason and Alex Pritchard on Thursday, who are all being plagued by ankle injuries.
Leonardo Jardim will have to make do without a number of first-team regulars, with Guido Carrillo (calf), Fabio Coentrao (thigh), Ivan Cavaleiro (back), Joao Moutinho (hip), Thomas Lemar (ankle) and Jeremy Toulalan (thigh) all expected to miss the trip to White Hart Lane.
Probable Line-ups
Tottenham: Lloris; Davies, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Trippier; Dembele, Dier, Lamela, Alli, Son; Kane
Monaco: Subasic; Toure, Wallace, Carvalho, Echiejile; Fabinho, Bakayoko, Dirar, Boschilia, El Shaarawy; Traore
From : SS.com
