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Preview: Ludogorets Razgrad vs. Tottenham Hotspur - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Ludogorets Razgrad and Tottenham Hotspur, including team news and predicted lineups.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to get their Europa League campaign back on track when they make the trip to Ludogorets Razgrad on Thursday evening.

Spurs lost 1-0 to Royal Antwerp last time out and enter this match sitting second in Group J, three points better off than Ludogorets, who have lost both matches so far.


Match preview

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho shouts during his side's Premier League clash with West Ham United on October 18, 2020© Reuters

Jose Mourinho did not hold back after last week's surprise defeat in Belgium, admitting that he would have replaced all 11 of his starters at half time if he had the chance.

In the end he had to settle for making just the three changes, though it did not have the desired effect as Lior Refaelov's first-half strike proved the difference.

Spurs cruised to a 3-0 win over LASK Linz in their opening match, however, and they are expected to take six points from six in this double-header against Ludogorets.

Qualification for the knockout stages is all that matters for Mourinho in a competition that he has won twice with two different sides.

That loss to Antwerp aside, a game in which Spurs made nine changes to their lineup, the Lilywhites have been in good form of late.

Since squandering a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with West Ham United, they have picked up three wins from the last four, keeping a clean sheet in two of those.

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale celebrates with Lucas Moura and Carlos Vinicius during the Europa League clash with LASK Linz on October 22, 2020© Reuters

Sunday's late 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, secured through Gareth Bale's header 200 seconds after coming off the bench, moved Mourinho's men up to third in the league.

It is now about maintaining that momentum with three more points against Ludogorets, with this the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

The home side lost 2-1 at home to Antwerp in their opening Group J fixture and were beaten 4-3 at LASK last time out, leaving them in desperate need of a point on Thursday.

Stanislav Genchev is in interim charge of the Eagles, who remain top of the Bulgarian First League thanks to their 1-0 win over Levski Sofia at the weekend.

Transferring their domestic form onto the continent is something Ludogorets have struggled with, though, having won only one of their last 11 home matches in the Europa League.

Ludogorets Razgrad Europa League form: LL
Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions): WDLWLW

Tottenham Hotspur Europa League form: WL
Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions): WDWWLW


Team News

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale in action against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on November 1, 2020© Reuters

Mourinho has already confirmed that Bale will start Thursday's match as the Wales international continues to build up his match fitness.

Tottenham have near enough a fully-fit squad to choose from, the exception being full-back Japhet Tanganga, who is out with a thigh injury.

Summer signing Joe Rodon is also unavailable for this match as he was not registered in Spurs' Europa League squad.

As unhappy as Mourinho was with his players last week, rotation is once again expected against Ludogorets, with Dele Alli in line for a recall.

The hosts will be relying on Elvis Manu to help them pull off a shock victory over Tottenham, with the striker netting a hat-trick in last week's loss to LASK.

Jordan Ikoko, Mavis Tchibota and Cauly were brought off the bench in that most recent European match and may be in contention for a start on Thursday.

Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:
Iliev; Cicinho, Moti, Verdon, Nedyalkov; Andrianantenaina, Badjia, Santana; Tekpetey, Manu, Yankov

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Hart; Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Lo Celso, Winks, Alli; Bale, Vinicius, Lucas


SM words green background

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham may have suffered defeat to Antwerp last week but they will enter this match as strong favourites to overcome Bulgarian champions Ludogorets.

Changes can be expected but Spurs will still have a number of top-class talents in their lineup, with Bale among those looking to make an impact.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data

ID:420896:cQx

Who will win Thursday's Europa League clash between Ludogorets and Tottenham?

Ludogorets
Draw
Tottenham
Ludogorets
8.7%
Draw
8.0%
Tottenham
83.3%
138
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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli pictured in August 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Tottenham HotspurSpurs96212191220
2Liverpool96212116520
3Chelsea953122101218
4Leicester CityLeicester96031812618
5Southampton95221713417
6Everton95131916316
7Aston Villa85031911815
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham94231510514
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves9423910-114
10Manchester UnitedMan Utd84131314-113
11Crystal Palace94141213-113
12Arsenal9414910-113
13Manchester CityMan City83321011-112
14Leeds UnitedLeeds93241417-311
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle93241015-511
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton92341315-29
17Burnley8125412-85
18Fulham9117918-94
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom9036618-123
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd9018415-111

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