Inter Milan vs Tottenham - Europa League preview and team news
Spurs travel to Milan looking to end any remaining Inter hopes, following last week’s 3-0 home victory over the Nerazzurri at White Hart Lane.
Three times in a row now Tottenham have scored three goals when facing Inter Milan, but this time around, losing by two clear goals would be enough to see Spurs through to the Quarter Finals of the competition that manager Andre Villas-Boas won with Porto back in 2011.
Inter meanwhile, are a club in relative crisis. Whilst they currently sit in 5th position in Serie A, they have only four wins in 12, and followed up their disappointing display in North London with a 1-0 defeat in the league at home to Bologna.
Tottenham ended their 12 game unbeaten record in the Premier League against Liverpool, with defensive mistakes contributing to a 3-2 defeat.
From that side, Brad Friedel will replace Hugo Lloris for Europa League action as usual, and form player Gareth Bale will serve his one match ban following his booking in the first-leg. Clint Dempsey could make a return to the first-team following a calf injury, in Bale’s place. Jermain Defoe is set to continue up-front, while Jan Vertonghen could be rested with William Gallas or Stephen Caulker coming into the side as they have often done for Europa matches.
Inter Coach Andrea Stramaccioni has blamed a psychological problem for his sides’ recent performances, and called for more energy from his side. He does however have many injury problems, with star striker Diego Milito out for the season, and defensive pairing Walter Samuel and Andrea Ranocchia missing from the starting line-up – the latter may make the bench following an operation on his nose. Juan Jesus and Christian Chivu are set to start, as are Ricky Alvarez and Rodrigo Palacio up front. Fredy Guarin and Antonio Cassano will also likely start as Stramaccioni looks to relieve some of the pressure on his shoulders.
See what the expert tipsters at OLBG are tipping on Inter Milan v Tottenham
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