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

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to get their Europa League campaign back on track when they take on winless Ludogorets in Bulgaria.

Jose Mourinho's side kicked off Group J in perfect fashion after beating LASK 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but carelessly slipped up last time out against Royal Antwerp, going down away from home by a single goal.

Spurs are likely to continue their policy of squad rotation, as Mourinho looks to keep his players as fresh as possible to maintain the club's positive Premier League start, but will be confident of picking up another three points on the road.

Here's 90min's preview of the game.


Where to Watch

Stadium Ludogorets Arena, Bulgaria | EuroFootball/Getty Images

When Is Kick Off? Thursday 5 November
What Time Is Kick Off?  17:55 (BST)
Where Is it Played?  Stadium Ludogorets Arena
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport 2
Referee? Fran Jovic


Team News

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 made an impact from the bench in that game and may be in contention for a start on Thursday.

That winning substitution. | Julian Finney/Getty Images

Tottenham have near enough a fully-fit squad to choose from, and it's already been confirmed that Gareth Bale will start as he continues to build his match fitness.

As unhappy as Mourinho was with his players last week, rotation is once again expected; meaning Dele Alli in line for a recall, and Eric Dier could partner up with Davinson Sanchez in central defence with Joe Rodon ineligible. Japhet Tanganga is Spurs' only absentee with a thigh injury.


Predicted Lineups

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

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

Mourinho's likely team selection | BuildLineup

Recent Form

The hosts are dominating Bulgarian football, having won the league title for nine consecutive seasons. But transferring their domestic form onto the continent is something Ludogorets have struggled with, having won only one of their last 11 home matches in the Europa League.

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. However, after a 2-1 home defeat in their opener with Antwerp and a 4-3 defeat at LASK, the club are in desperate need of their first points in Group J.

Mourinho his usual animated self on the weekend | JULIAN FINNEY/Getty Images

As for Tottenham, 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 could have. Instead, the two-time winner of the competition had to settle for making just 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 are expected to take six points from six in this double-header against Ludogorets either side of the international break.

Aside from the defeat at the hands of Antwerp, a game in which Spurs made nine changes to their lineup, the Lilywhites have been in good form of late. Aside from squandering a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with West Ham, they've picked up three wins from their last four, keeping a clean sheet in two of those games.

Here's how both sides have performed in their last five games in all competitions.

Ludogorets

Ludogorets 1-0 Levski (01/11)
LASK 4-3 Ludogorets (29/10)
Montana 1-3 Ludogorets (25/10)
Ludogorets 1-2 Antwerp (22/10)
Ludogorets 1-1 Tsarsko Selo (17/10)

Tottenham

Tottenham 2-1 Brighton (01/11)
Antwerp 1-0 Tottenham (29/10)
Burnley 0-1 Tottenham (26/10)
Tottenham 3-0 LASK (22/10)
Tottenham 3-3 West Ham (18/10)


Prediction

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

Antwerp celebrate their winner against Spurs | Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Changes are expected, yes, but Mourinho will demand a dominant performance from his players, and a strong response shouldn't be discounted.

Prediction: Ludogorets 0-3 Tottenham


Source : 90min