Evening Standard
·22. Januar 2025
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·22. Januar 2025
Spurs cannot afford another defeat in Europe
Tottenham face another tricky test this week as they travel to Hoffenheim in the Europa League.
A 3-2 defeat at Everton last time out made it five defeats and a draw in their last six Premier League games to drop to 15th in the table, and they must reverse that form to keep their European hopes alive.
After winning their first three in the competition this season, Spurs are now winless in three after a defeat in Galatasaray and draws with Roma and then Rangers to drop to ninth in the standings, one place outside the automatic qualification spots for the knockout stage.
The last thing Ange Postecoglou’s injury-ravaged squad needs is a two-legged playoff round, and victory over their struggling German opponents should be considered a must.
Ange Postecoglou is under pressure
Getty Images
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham is scheduled for a 5.45pm GMT kick-off on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
The match will take place at PreZero Arena.
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Hoffenheim have an injury list to almost rival Spurs' with Ihlas Bebou, Marius Bulter, Ozan Kabak, Christopher Lenz, Grischa Promel, Diadie Samassekou and Umut Tohumcu all sidelined. Former Tottenham transfer target Gift Orban is ineligible for the game having only arrived from Lyon this month.
Tottenham also have a few ineligible players, further worsening Ange Postecoglou's selection headaches. January signing Antonin Kinsky will miss out, so Brandon Austin will come in if Fraser Forster has not recovered from an illness.
Full-backs Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon are also not registered, meaning Ben Davies will again be required to play so soon after returning from injury. Spurs have been boosted by the return to training of Cristian Romero, but this game could come too soon. Radu Dragusin is fine after suffering a cut against Everton.
Rodrigo Bentancur is available again after a concussion, while Mikey Moore could start with Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner injured. Heung-min Son may again get the nod in attack, with Dominic Solanke injuryed, but struggled against Everton.
Antonin Kinsky is ineligible
Getty Images
Two teams in miserable form meet in a game both need to win. Hoffenheim last time out finally won under their new boss, winning away at relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel, but like Spurs have largely been on the wrong end of results over the past weeks and months.
It will likely be a game with little quality, but those inside the PreZone Arena will take it tough for the Spurs, but it is the visitors who boast more talent and that should shine through.
Tottenham to win, 2-1.
This is the first competitive meeting between the two teams.
Hoffenheim: 17/10
Draw: 2/1
Tottenham: 11/10
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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