Tottenham Hotspur -v- Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers take the next step on their European Odyssey on Thursday night when they take on Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. (Kick off, 8.05pm)

The last time a League of Ireland side showed up at the North London venue was when Drogheda United were sent packing by a rampant Spurs side who ran out 8-0 winners on the night and 14-0 on aggregate. Few expect that the current Airtricity League champions will be on the end of such a hammering but the bookies will still be offering long odds on Michael O’Neill’s side coming home with a positive result.

 

Having suffered something of a reality bite in their first group game, when they lost 3-0 at home to Rubin Kazan two weeks ago, the Rovers squad will no doubt be approaching this game with muted confidence. But there are positive signs for those wishing them well.

 

Tottenham boss, Harry Redknapp, has once again indicated that he will play a second string side against the Hoops and Tottenham have offered little enthusiasm for a competition that clearly lies well down their list of priorities. The question is whether a collection of fringe players will still be too much for Rovers to cope with.
 

Despite resting the majority of his first choice squad Redknapp still expects to field seven or eight internationals including Roman Pavlyuchenko, Aaron Lennon and Steven Pienaar. Michael Dawson, William Gallas and Tom Huddlestone will definitely not play due to injury but they can expect to be joined in the stands by stars such as Luca Modric, Rafael Van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor.

 

Rovers, meanwhile, may welcome central defender Ken Oman back as he continues his recovery from a knee injury while Craig Sives is also expected to be available despite missing last Sunday’s 5-2 win against Bray Wanderers. Forward Gary O’Neill is O’Neill’s only definite absentee.
 

Speaking to extratime.ie, recent signing Rohan Ricketts spoke about his return to White Hart Lane having left Tottenham in 2005. “It will be great returning to my old club. But it’s just another game that I want to play well in, if selected. I don’t want to get caught up in the outside stuff about me playing against my former club. I just want to go out there and help Shamrock Rovers win the game”.
 

Rovers’ recent form includes just one win in their last three league games with a defeat to Sligo Rovers in the FAI Cup quarter-finals thrown in for good measure. But last Sunday’s 5-2 win over Bray at Tallaght Stadium does at least send them into what is certain to be a difficult night with an impressive performance ringing in their memories.


Tottenham Hotspur
Injured: William Gallas, Tom Huddlestone, Michael Dawson.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Gary O’Neill.
Doubtful: Ken Oman, Craig Sives.
Suspended: None.

Paddy Power Odds: Spurs 1/8; Draw 7/1; Shamrock Rovers 20/1.
Extratime prediction: Spurs to win 2-0.