PAOK -v- Tottenham Hotspur
Credit:
A much depleted Tottenham Hotspurs travel to Greece to face PAOK in the Europa League Group A fixture (kick-off 6.00pm). Boss Harry Redknapp has to contend with fielding a side far from his first choice XI, with as many as eight players on the injury list at White Hart Line.
Shamrock Rovers fans will undoubtedly tune in to the highlights of this one tonight, as both side’s make up the rest of Group A, as the Tallaght men welcome Rubin Kazan to Dublin.
Speaking ahead of the tie to www.tottenhamhotspur.com, Redknapp eludes to the busy calendar his players have, as well as his disappointment over selection difficulties ahead of the game at the Toumba Stadium.
“We've a number of injuries and players who played two internationals, then at Wolves last Saturday and after PAOK, we play Liverpool. I wanted to change the team around but I've not been able to use the full group of players because they are not fit,” argued the manager.
"We’ve got a lot of senior players injured, William Gallas, Michael Dawson, Danny Rose, Steven Pienaar, Tom Huddlestone, Sandro, Aaron Lennon, Rafa van der Vaart, all not fit. It’s a big squad, a good group of players. I could have rotated the squad and still have a very strong team.”
PAOK have made it to this stage of the tournament, thanks to victories over Valerenga of Norway and Karpaty Lviv who St. Patrick’s Athletic faced back in August.
Despite missing some of their stars, Spurs will believe they have enough depth in the squad to come away with the win, and get the competition underway with the best possible start.
PAOK
Injured:
None.
Doubtful:
None.
Suspended:
None.
Tottenham Hotspur
Injured:
Wiilliam Gallas, Michael Dawson, Danny Rose, Steven Pienaar, Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon, Sandro, Rafael van der Vaart.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Milorad Mažic (SRB)
Paddy Power Odds:
PAOK 8/5, Draw 9/4, Tottenham 17/10.
Extratime prediction:
PAOK to win, 2-1.
Shamrock Rovers fans will undoubtedly tune in to the highlights of this one tonight, as both side’s make up the rest of Group A, as the Tallaght men welcome Rubin Kazan to Dublin.
Speaking ahead of the tie to www.tottenhamhotspur.com, Redknapp eludes to the busy calendar his players have, as well as his disappointment over selection difficulties ahead of the game at the Toumba Stadium.
“We've a number of injuries and players who played two internationals, then at Wolves last Saturday and after PAOK, we play Liverpool. I wanted to change the team around but I've not been able to use the full group of players because they are not fit,” argued the manager.
"We’ve got a lot of senior players injured, William Gallas, Michael Dawson, Danny Rose, Steven Pienaar, Tom Huddlestone, Sandro, Aaron Lennon, Rafa van der Vaart, all not fit. It’s a big squad, a good group of players. I could have rotated the squad and still have a very strong team.”
PAOK have made it to this stage of the tournament, thanks to victories over Valerenga of Norway and Karpaty Lviv who St. Patrick’s Athletic faced back in August.
Despite missing some of their stars, Spurs will believe they have enough depth in the squad to come away with the win, and get the competition underway with the best possible start.
PAOK
Injured:
None.
Doubtful:
None.
Suspended:
None.
Tottenham Hotspur
Injured:
Wiilliam Gallas, Michael Dawson, Danny Rose, Steven Pienaar, Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon, Sandro, Rafael van der Vaart.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Milorad Mažic (SRB)
Paddy Power Odds:
PAOK 8/5, Draw 9/4, Tottenham 17/10.
Extratime prediction:
PAOK to win, 2-1.
About Aidan Farrelly
Aidan Farrelly joined the extratime team in mid 2010. A Kildare native, Aidan reports on St. Patrick's Athletic as well as other Dublin Clubs. Aidan can be contacted at: farrelly.aidan@gmail.com View Full Profile