Fiorentina – Tottenham Match Preview
Fiorentina approach their return clash with Tottenham full of confidence especially considering that Spurs could be slightly distracted by Sunday’s Capital One Cup final against Chelsea. The one thing that Tottenham will be looking to avoid is extra time so Fiorentina will be sure to take advantage of this as well as the fact that they are unbeaten in their last 10 matches. The Viola have a doubt with Ciprian Tatarusanu, so Vincenzo Montella could be forced to recall Neto, who had started the season as number 1 but was dropped after refusing to sign a new contract. Borja Valero is also a major doubt with an injury he picked up in the first leg and Montella may opt for a back four here after a switch from a back 3 had a positive impact in the first leg. Tottenham on the other-hand, started the first leg of this tie at breakneck speed but were made to pay for not making their dominance count and considering they have no injury concerns, it does look good, even if they do have the small matter of a trip to Wembley on Sunday to contend with. It will be interesting to see how Mauricio Pochettino decides to approach this game given how important he considers the Europa League but also the chance for silverware at the weekend. Paulinho, Ben Davies and Federico Fazio should all come in, but the big calls will surround key players, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen, will they play? A top football prediction says one out the two should and the best football Tipster would suggest Tottenham might just manage the great escape, maybe on penalties?
Our Probable Formations:
Fiorentina (4.3.3) Neto, Tomovic, Rodriguez, Basanta, Pasqual, Aquilani, Pizarro, Fernandez, Joaquin, Gomez and Salah.
Tottenham (4.2.3.1) Lloris, Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies, Mason, Paulinho, Chadli, Dembélé, Eriksen and Soldado.
BetAdvisor Top Tips:
The teams met for the first time in UEFA competition in the first leg, drawing 1-1 at White Hart Lane.
Fiorentina have won just one of their last five European home games (W1 D2 L2);
Fiorentina have yet to lose (W3 D1) or concede a goal in four home encounters with English sides.
Fiorentina’s only previous two-legged knockout tie against English opponents was decided on penalties – the Viola squeezing past Everton FC on Merseyside in the 2007/08 UEFA Cup round of 16 in a shoot-out after the clubs had traded 2-0 home wins.
Tottenhams’ record in six away games against Italian sides is W1 D2 L3.
Tottenham have won their last two round of 32 ties since bowing out to FC Shakhtar Donetsk at the same stage of the 2008/09 UEFA Cup.
Tottenham have lost just one of their last five on the road (W2 D2 L1)
Tottenham are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 matches in UEFA Europa League.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Tottenham’s last 3 games in UEFA Europa League.