By Ian King
Kind
A 1-1 draw for Tottenham Hotspur at West Ham on Sunday appeared like precisely what it was; an area derby between the 2 worst sides within the Premier League who aren’t the three already forged adrift. It says one thing for Spurs’ performances that this was an enchancment on their earlier three League matches.
However Europe has been a unique matter. Regardless of conceding that late purpose, Spurs have been dominant within the first leg of this tie and 3-1 is a good result in take to Norway, particularly now away objectives have been abolished. Bodø/Glimt haven’t featured since then, however are unbeaten within the 4 video games they’ve performed of their home season.
Unchartered territory for Glimt
Bodø/Glimt nonetheless have an opportunity of changing into the primary Norwegian membership to succeed in a European remaining however their report in opposition to English golf equipment stays unhealthy. They’d misplaced all three of their earlier conferences with Premier League sides, and now they’ve misplaced to Spurs, too. Ought to Spurs get to the ultimate of the Europa League this season it might be the fourth time they’ve achieved so, though these all occurred so way back that it was referred to as the UEFA Cup on the time. They beat Wolves in 1972 and Anderlecht in 1984, and misplaced to Feyenoord in 1974; throughout two legs.
Key Gamers
Brennan Johnson hasn’t scored in his final 4 Premier League video games, however he did within the first minute of the primary leg of this tie and Spurs might do with him being on his sport in entrance of purpose. In any other case, Cristian Romero must have a type of days when he, nicely, doesn’t do a Cristian Romero factor.
Bodø/Glimt’s purpose within the first leg was scored by midfielder Ulrik Saltnes, who’s the closest factor that you would be able to be to a one-club participant with out being a one-club participant. He’s made 389 appearances for them since 2011 – he’s 32 now –and solely blotted his one-club copybook by having performed one sport within the Danish third division for a membership referred to as Brønnøysund Idrettslag beforehand.
Group Information
For Glimt, captain and midfield lynchpin Patrick Berg, Andreas Helmersen, and Håkon Evjen all return after being suspended for the primary leg. Odin Bjørtuft missed the primary leg and shall be assessed forward of time.
Spurs’ newest casualty is James Maddison, who’s broken his knee and will certainly miss this match, and might be out for the remainder of the season. On the up-side, Dominic Solanke and Son Heung-min may very well be accessible.
Prediction
On a synthetic pitch at a small floor simply north of the Arctic Circle is strictly the kind of place the place you would possibly count on Spurs to return a cropper, and the sensible amongst us need to admit that sure, this can be a risk.
However the truth stays that they’ve saved their very best for the Europa League this season, and throwing away a three-goal lead over two legs, even when it was Peak Spurs, appears unlikely. 1-1 and some nerves, however they need to nonetheless get pretty safely via.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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