Tottenham have a 100 per cent record from their three Europa League games this season, but they face a difficult test against Galatasaray on Thursday.
Their opponents are unbeaten in the Turkish Super Lig this term, scoring 29 goals in 10 league games, so it could be a hard night for a makeshift Spurs defence.
Team news
Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is available after serving a European ban, but left-back Ismail Jakobs is sidelined with a knee injury.
Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert have all suffered hamstring injuries, while Cristian Romero is a major doubt with the foot problem he picked up in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.
The stats
Just three of Tottenham’s last 14 games have failed to produced at least three goals.
Galatasaray have scored the first goal in their last seven home games, while five of their last seven home games have featured more than 3.5 goals.
The Turkish league leaders have won nine and drawn two of their last 11 games.
Prediction
Wins over Qarabag, Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar have helped Tottenham to second in the Europa League table, but Galatasaray will be confident they can gain their third win in the competition at their expense on Thursday.
Okan Buruk’s side lead the Turkish Super Lig by three points and have scored 29 goals in their 10 league matches this term, which should be a concern for Spurs, who are likely to field a much-changed defence for their trip to Istanbul.
The potential injury loss of Van de Ven and Romero means Ange Postecoglou will need to rely on Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies to keep a lid on things as they attempt to keep Gala’s on-loan striker Victor Osimhen in check.
That could prove easier said than done against a team who have netted nine times in their three Europa League games – wins over Elfsborg and PAOK and a 2-2 draw in Latvia against Rigas FS.
Tottenham fans have been smiling after impressive victories at home to Manchester City and Aston Villa in the last week, but they have work to do before they can be backed with confidence on the road.
Postecoglou’s team fell to a 3-2 defeat to Brighton after taking a two-goal lead and then performed poorly in a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace, so it looks as if the home side could come out on top in this one.
CHRIS SUTTON PREDICTIONS
Sutton’s prediction: 4-2
I do like the way Spurs play, but they could do with having Son Heung-min fit. He has missed three of their past four league games – and they have a few other injuries too.
Whoever is missing, though, Ange Postecoglou will not change his bullish approach. I admire that and I find it amazing the way people view Spurs at the moment.
They have won eight of their past 10 games in all competitions, which is pretty good I think, but there is always this underlying ‘Spursy’ or ‘typical Spurs’ label they get given whenever they slip up.
That could happen here, of course. Spurs will dominate the ball this time but I have no doubt that opposition will score, because they carry such a threat and their front players will definitely have their moments in this game.
So there will definitely be plenty of goals. From spurs
Tottenham have not had a draw since the first game of the season and I think they will get one here.
