Antwerp vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

Tottenham Hotspur continue their Europa League campaign on Thursday evening with a trip to Belgium to take on Royal Antwerp at the Bosuilstadion.

Both clubs made a perfect start in their opening Group J fixtures by recording maximum points, seeing off LASK Linz and Ludogorets Razgrad respectively, so will go into this one looking to strengthen their grip on top spot.


Where to Watch

Antwerp's Bosuilstadion | DAVID PINTENS/Getty Images

When Is Kick Off?  Thursday 29 October
What Time Is Kick Off?  20:00 (BST)
Where Is it Played?  Bosuilstadion, Antwerp
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport


Team News

Mourinho will almost certainly start both Bale and Vinicius in attack for Spurs, likely being joined by Argentine Erik Lamela in a front three.

Of the players who started the fixture with Burnley on Monday evening, Ben Davies and Moussa Sissoko may be the only players who keep their place in the side.

Although Dele Alli was not in the 18-man squad at Turf Moor, the England international is in line to feature among the substitutes.

More bench warming for Dele? | Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Joe Hart should start between the sticks. Japhet Tanganga is out with a thigh injury, while Serge Aurier and Steven Bergwijn are on the comeback trail from knocks.

Antwerp Manager Leko is unlikely to make major alterations to the side which narrowly edged out Beerschot in a 3-2 win at the weekend.

Former Manchester United and Leicester defender Ritchie De Laet should feature in a three-man backline, while Aurelio Buta could come into the side at wing-back.


Predicted Lineups

Royal Antwerp possible starting lineup: Butez; Seck, Gelin, De Laet; Buta, Haroun, Hongla, Juklerod; Gerkens, Mbokani, Refaelov

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Hart; Doherty, Sanchez, Dier, Reguilon; Sissoko, Winks; Lamela, Lo Celso, Bale; Vinicius


Recent Form

Having needed to win all three qualifying games in order to reach the group stages of this year’s Europa League, Spurs have had a frenzied start to their first full season under Jose Mourinho.

Nonetheless, that shouldn’t stop the Portuguese from naming strong starting lineups in this competition, helped with the recent arrivals of forwards Carlos Vinicius and, of course, Gareth Bale.

While both players are still waiting for regular opportunities in the Premier League, the pair made an impression in their first starts against LASK on Thursday, highlighting the strength in depth Mourinho now has.

Ritchie De Laet - Once of Man Utd | DeFodi Images/Getty Images

The north Londoners also head into this meeting in Belgium looking to extend their unbeaten record in all competitions to 11 matches after beating Burnley in their last outing thanks to Son Heung-min’s 10th goal of the season.

However, they tackle opponents in Antwerp who have made a similarly strong start to their season, recording six wins and a single draw from their last seven fixtures.

While Ivan Leko's side have scored at least two goals in each of those encounters, they have failed to keep a clean sheet on every occasion.

That has not stopped Antwerp from sitting pretty at the top of the domestic standings in Belgium, but conceding 14 goals in 10 league fixtures will only provide Spurs with the encouragement to attack on Thursday night.

Antwerp

Antwerp 3-2 Beerschot (25/10)
Ludogorets 1-2 Antwerp (25/10)
Zulte Waregem 1-3 Antwerp (18/10)
Antwerp 4-1 Mechelen (02/10)
Kortrijk 1-3 Antwerp (26/09)

Tottenham

Burnley 0-1 Tottenham (26/10)
Tottenham 3-0 LASK (22/10)
Tottenham 3-3 West Ham United (18/10)
Manchester United 1-6 Tottenham (4/10)
Tottenham 7-2 Maccabi Haifa (1/10)


Prediction

Jose Mourinho's side look like the clear favourites in this game given their form and the Portuguese manager's immaculate record in the competition: Mourinho is unbeaten in his last 15 matches in the Europa League.

Vinicius could be the man to lead the line | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/Getty Images

Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son are in red-hot form at the moment and are combining wonderfully in front of goal. That combination is capable of making an impact even if only from the bench.

Antwerp should not be underestimated, though. They are on a five-game winning streak and can cause problems for Tottenham if they show any kind of weakness in defence.

Prediction: Antwerp 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur



Source : 90min