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England meets Scotland this evening as Tottenham host Hearts in the second-leg of their Europa League clash, writes Thomas Rooney.
Both sides are looking to progress to the group stages of Europe’s secondary club competition with Spurs in particular in it to win it this year.
However, unless something incredible happens, Tottenham should stroll through having claimed a 5-0 victory in the first leg.
Harry Redknapp’s men travelled to Scotland last week and from the moment Rafael van der Vaart opened the scoring, there was only one team in it. Spurs showed their superior quality with Jermaine Defoe, Jake Livermore, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon completing the rout.
Hearts were extremely disappointed with their showing on home soil and they will want a much better performance at White Hart Lane. They may not be able to salvage the tie, but a more respectable showing where they compete with Spurs will be required if their travelling fans are to be sent home satisfied.
Hearts manager Paulo Sergio would have been embarrassed with the first-leg showing and would love to at least score once to show that his team are capable of causing teams like Tottenham some problems.
Redknapp on the other hand can go into this match in relatively relaxed mood. He played a strong team in the first-leg in a bid to get the job done and with one foot firmly in the group stages, he can afford to rest a few players tonight ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.
One man who could play though is Luka Modric. The midfielder has been linked with a move away from the club all summer, but with Chelsea failing to make a sufficient bid, he remains a Tottenham player.
In other team news for the home side, Youngsters Tom Carroll and Harry Kane could make their senior debuts, while Steven Pienaar, Wilson Palacios , Jermaine Jenas , Ledley King, Alan Hutton , William Gallas and Sandro are all part of a long injury list.
As for Hearts, they will make some changes in a bid to be more competitive. They have already named their side, with Jamie MacDonald, Ryan McGowan, Marius Zaliukas, Eggert Jonsson, Scott Robinson, Arvydas Novikovas, Rudi Skacel and Gordon Smith all being brought in to try and give Tottenham a game.
Match odds
Unsurprisingly, Tottenham are favourites for this one as they look to continue where they left off in the first-leg. They are available at 1/5 (1.20)@ Bet365 for victory on the night while Hearts can be backed for a shock win at 9/1 (10.00).
It is fair to say that even though Hearts may well produce a better showing, it is Spurs that will win the game.
Correct score
Backing the correct score tonight could be a good way to go. The tie itself is all but settled, but what will the score be this evening?
You can back Spurs for another 5-0 win at 20/1 (21.00)@ Bet365, while if you fancy the home side to be too relaxed and Hearts to nick a win, 1-0 to the visitors can be backed at 25/1 (26.00).
First goalscorer
In the first-leg, van der Vaart capitalised on some poor defending to open the scoring and he can be backed to repeat this feat at 9/2 (5.50). He is joint favourite with England strike Jermaine Defoe.
If you fancy Carroll to make a quick impact on his debut for the senior side, he can be backed for the first goal at 10/1(11.00). It will all depend on whether Redknapp hands him a start really.
Hearts’ best chance of getting themselves in front is via John Sutton who can be backed at 12/1 (13.00)@ Bet365.
Recommended bet
Tottenham to win 4-1 @ 14/1 (15.00)
Tom Carroll to score first @ 10/1 (11.00)
Jermaine Defoe to score two or more goals @ 5/1 (6.00)
