Tottenham Hotspur are back in continental competition this season, and they’re strong favourites to go all the way and win the Europa League. Here, we take a look at the eight league phase games, and how the results might go.
Who are Tottenham playing?
Spurs have been drawn against Roma, Rangers, AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray, Hoffenheim, Elfsborg, Ferencvaros, and Qarabag.
As part of the new Europa League format, each team plays eight league phase games to determine their placing in a 36-team table. The top eight teams progress to the knockout rounds, with teams 9-24 taking part in a play-off to get through, too.
Spurs vs Qarabag
Tottenham begin their Europa League campaign with a home tie against Azerbaijan outfit, Qarabag FK. The game will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Anyone can beat anyone in cup competitions, of course, but Spurs would be more than a little disappointed if they didn’t bag a comfortable three points in this one.
Player to watch: If Qarabag are to get anything from the game, they’ll need their Brazilian striker, Juninho, firing on all cylinders.
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Prediction: Spurs 3-0 Qarabag
Ferencvaros vs Spurs
Next up for Spurs is a trip to Hungary to face Ferencvaros. The game takes place on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
Away trips in Europe are always tricky, but again, the Lilywhites should have enough about them to come away from this one with all three points.
Player to watch: Adama Traore will be the key to Ferencvaros’s hopes in this one. No, not the former Wolves and Barcelona player, we’re talking about the Malian attacker who bagged 14 goals last season, and another three in Champions League qualifiers this season.
Prediction: Ferencvaros 1-2 Spurs
Spurs vs AZ Alkmaar
Later in October, Spurs will host Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The game is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Alkmaar finished fourth in the Eredivisie last season, beating Dutch giants Ajax to the European spot by a massive nine points in the end. If this game were not at home, Tottenham could have been in for a far more difficult proposition.
Player to watch: Troy Parrott left Spurs this summer, but he will return to North London sooner than expected for this one. It is written in the stars that the Irishman will make us regret selling him.
Prediction: Spurs 3-1 AZ Alkmaar
Galatasaray vs Spurs
One of the toughest ties for Spurs will be Galatasaray away, with the game lined up for Thursday, November 7, 2024.
The Lilywhites can expect a hostile crowd at RAMS Park, and the daunting atmosphere could well be enough to upset Ange Postecoglou‘s side.
Player to watch: Galatasaray actually have a number of good players, but the high-profile new signing, Victor Osimhen, will be the man everyone looks to for a moment of magic.
Prediction: Galatasaray 1-0 Spurs
Spurs vs Roma
Undoubtedly the biggest home game of the round comes on Thursday, November 28, 2024, as Roma visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Roma made it all the way to the final of this competition back in 2023, and will fancy their chances again as one of the top teams in the Europa League this season. Home advantage may be just enough to steer Spurs away from defeat here.
Player to watch: The likes of Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk will be dangerous in attack, but it is Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini who will dictate the play for the Italians and he could really cause Spurs problems if he’s given enough freedom in the middle of the park.
Prediction: Spurs 2-2 Roma
Rangers vs Spurs
All eyes will be on Ange Postecoglou as he returns to Glasgow on Thursday, December 12, 2024, to take on his old rivals, Rangers.
The atmosphere will be electric at Ibrox, more than usual, and it’ll not be an easy game for Spurs to get into. Expect a scrappy affair, but one that Tottenham should still have just enough to seal a tight win.
Player to watch: Rangers captain James Tavernier is not just a tough defender, he’s also one of the main creative outlets for the Scottish side. If he’s given an opportunity to get forward, he will cause Spurs real problems.
Prediction: Rangers 1-2 Spurs
Hoffenheim vs Spurs
Spurs travel to Germany in the New Year, with an away fixture against Hoffenheim lined up for Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Hoffenheim finished seventh in the Bundesliga last season, and ended up just one point off the top six. That’s not to be sniffed at, and they could be a tougher challenge for Spurs than many would expect.
Player to watch: Hoffenheim recently signed Czech international Adam Hlozek from league champions Bayer Leverkusen, and while he’s not exactly prolific, he is more than capable of being a nuisance in and around the box.
Prediction: Hoffenheim 1-1 Spurs
Spurs vs Elfsborg
The final league phase game takes place on Thursday, January 30, 2025, as Tottenham host Swedish outfit, IF Elfsborg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Elfsborg missed out on the Allsvenskan league title last season by a matter of two goals, finishing level on points with eventual champions, Malmo. Still, they should not be a problem for Spurs, especially on home turf.
Player to watch: Attacking midfielder, Michael Baidoo, is on fire this season, with eight goals and four assists to his name. If anyone is going to trouble Tottenham, it’ll be him.
Prediction: Spurs 4-0 Elfsborg
The outcome
If those predictions are correct, Spurs would end up with 17 points after eight game, with five wins, two draws, and just the one defeat away at Galatasaray.
It’s hard to say for sure, but it is very likely that would be enough to land Spurs a spot in the top eight of the Europa League league phase, and get them automatic qualification for the knockout rounds.