Tottenham take on Monaco in the final group stage game in this season’s Europa League at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
Tottenham, who have already qualified from Group J, will be guaranteed top spot in the group with at least a point whilst Monaco have to beat Tottenham to have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
The game in Monaco in October ended in a 1-1 draw, after El-Shaaraway equalized in the last 10 minutes after Erik Lamela had put Spurs ahead in the first-half.
Monaco
Monaco are currently 4th in this season’s Ligue 1, a massive 18 points behind runaway leaders PSG.
Monaco have struggled at home this season, having won only 2 of their 9 home league games this season. In contrast however, their away form has been superb, with only 1 defeat in 9 league games away from the Stade Louis II.
Monaco’s recent form in the league has been impressive, as they only have lost 1 of their last 11 league games as they look to qualify for the Uefa Champions League next season.
However, in the Europa League they have struggled and they have to beat Tottenham in North London on Thursday night and hope that Anderlecht do not beat Qarabag in Belgium in order to qualify.
Top Scorer: Mario Pasalic- 5
Tottenham
Tottenham are currently enjoying one of their best unbeaten runs in the modern era, with the 1-1 draw against West Brom at the weekend making it 14 league games unbeaten for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Pochettino’s side has also done well in the Europa League, with qualification secured to the knockout stages after beating Qarabag in Baku two weeks ago courtesy of Harry Kane’s winner. Top spot in the group can be secured with a point, regardless of Anderlecht’s result in Belgium against Qarabag.
The team news for Spurs is that Harry Kane is set to be rested, having started all of Tottenham’s games this season as well as playing every game for England in the Euro U-21 Championship in the summer. Clinton N’Jie, who has made a number of substitute appearances since joining Spurs in the summer, is set to replace him. Nabil Bentaleb and Nacer Chadli also return to the squad, after recovering from injury.
Tottenham have not lost a European home time since Benfica won 3-1 at White Hart Lane in March 2014.
Top Scorer: Harry Kane- 10
Prediction:
Regardless of the team Mauricio Pochettino puts out, I would expect Spurs to win and secure top spot in the group. Monaco simply do not posses the threat they once did, with a number of their better players moving on after their owner decided to reduce his financial support to the club.
Tottenham 3-1 Monaco
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