SPURS as we all know by now have sent a weakened squad to Portugal for their Europa League return with Benfica.
A 3-1 win at White Hart Lane didn't flatter the Lisbon side who treat this tournament more seriously than most.
They are always strong at home and looked massive at 3-4 with Ladbrokes when I first commented about them yesterday. Now the best you'll get is 4-6 and that's likely to be one for my double or treble.
Spurs boss Tim Sherwood is without injured defenders Michael Dawson, Vlad Chiriches, Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker while Jan Vertonghen is banned. Erik Lamela, Etienne Capoue and Mousa Dembele are also out and keeper Hugo Lloris, Emmanuel Adebayor and Paulinho are others who have missed the trip.
Seven players still to make their first-team debut will travel to the Stadium of Light including Scotland Under-21 keeper Jordan Archer – although Brad Friedel is the likely started – and four 18-year-old defenders Alexander McQueen, Milos Veljkovic, Dominic Ball and Connor Ogilvie.
Harry Winks, 18, and fellow midfielder Joshua Onomah, 16, also travel. How many start is anyone's guess but their inclusion suggests Spurs have given this one up.
If Benfica go in for the kill and don't sit on their lead they could be a good shout at 8-5 minus one with bet365.
Lyon and Valencia are safely through after first-leg romps and the Spanish look worth backing at 2-5 with Betfred at home to Ludogorets. The Bulgarians, 3-0 losers at home, are minus four key men – Cosmin Moti, Choco, Dani Abalo and Fabio Espinho. Lyon are missing a few players and this could be one for both to score after they took the first leg 4-1.
Red Bull Salzburg have given us goals every week – except their 0-0 first-leg draw in Basel. They hit back with five at home to Wolfsberger at the weekend and have won 15 of their last 16 matches in all competitions.
Red Bull have won all five Europa League fixtures at home this season and are 4-9 with the likes of William Hill and Ladbrokes.
Juventus boss Massimo Ambrosini claims his side aren't favourites to floor Fiorentina after being held 1-1 at home. The runaway Serie A leaders' only defeat of the season came in Florence but I'd like to take Juve at 11-10 with Ladbrokes – but will wait for a steer from Oor Man in Napoli on that one and Napoli v Porto.
Fiorentina are without wingers Ante Rebic and Joaquin, midfielder Mati Fernandez and strikers Giuseppe Rossi and Ahmed Hegazy through injury. But Juve have defensive problems with Federico Peluso, Andrea Barzagli and Angelo Ogbonna struggling.
Midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Sebastian Giovinco are unlikely to feature while up front Carlos Tevez is likely to start with Dani Osvaldo. Both to score could be the shout here.
Elsewhere Anzhi v AZ is a tough call as is Real Betis v Sevilla. Betis surprisingly won the first leg 2-0 and Sevilla are capable of overturning it if they're in the mood.
That's some of my thoughts on the Europa League – and remember keep stakes low on these games. Top tips will be posted on that thread before lunchtime.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
GambleAware
mr f i like the look of benfica juventus and salzburg im not sure about the other teams that are more or less already through, couldnt belive dortmund last night, however villas boas always seems to do pretty well in his first 10 games with any team, possibly a few gg on the market tonight
darran, backing teams who don’t need to win is always risky – and Villas-Boas wasn’t in charge last night. Starts today.
Good shout on benfica -1 but I think a higher winning margin is a fairly safe bet. Benfica are 7 points clear in the league and will be focused on a good Europa league campaign . Spurs look to be taking a youthful inexperienced side without any key defenders to a team that put 3 past them at white Hart lane. Couple this with the possible sending off of a frustrated/inexperienced player and this could get ugly… I’m thinking 3 or 4 nil so benfica -2 or an optimistic -3 at 15/4 and 9/1 respectively with bet365. Gotta be worth a cheeky tenner
Jordan, I’m not being too greedy with Benfica because they’re already 3-1 up. A lot will depend on their motivation and while Spurs have taken a young squad most of these kids will remain on the bench.
Yeah fair point and the majority of chances were on the counter attack I suppose, I just think with benficas goalscoring record and the spurs team missing so many first team players it could be a big one, might just bet big on a benfica win and small on a big win
Mr F, Benfica players & manager have said to the media they have to be cautious as Spurs could do what we’ve done in London (unlikely but shows they will not take chances as tie is not over)
No doubt Jesus will put up a very strong team. Only player that is not in the squad is Gaitan.
Eagle1, with the players Spurs have taken and also chosen to leave my impression is this is a tie they believe is already over. It’s Benfica for me all day long.
Mr F, I will be on Benfica too.
My point was that I like how they are approaching the match – underestimating Spurs despite of the squad they brought to Lisbon would be a bad idea. Last seasons 3 potential trophies lost is still on the mind of players & manager.
yes mr f surely benfica juventus maybe with tevez and osvaldo shud help i wouldnt bet on the early kick off always seem to be an upset but good luck to all punters
Plzen and Salzburg to win and btts
Hate betting on this competition however got a risk free bet to burn up so if it fails then whatever!!
Benfica v Spurs – OVER 2.5 Goals 4/5
Fiorentina v Juventus – JUVENTUS WIN AND BTTS 11/4
Red Bull Salzburg v Basel – RED BULL WIN AND BTTS 13/8
Fiver on, lets do this :-)
I just hear that this match of RB Salzburg will not be Goal/Goal !! From a guy which live in Austria…
Massive game between Salzburg and Basel then.
Benfica just did enough on the night went 1-0 up then took the foot of the gas
Bertie, spot on – and that was always a fear.
i think that was the only result i didnt see coming benfica 2-2 but i hada a 10er on benfica to win not the end of the world waiting now on real betis @2-1, and napoli @evens just a flim on that lets see guys