Tottenham Hotspur vs Rubin Kazan - Europa League Match Preview

By Ian Croll / October 20, 2011

Tottenham and Rubin Kazan go head to head at White hart Lane tonight with Spurs' persistent injury problems continuing to mount. Sebastian Bassong and Younes Kaboul are Tottenham€™s only fit central defenders with boss Harry Redknapp struggling to field a full strength side. After two games in the competition both sides are level on points with goal difference placing the Russian team in 1st place and Spurs hot on their heels in 2nd. So far Harry Redknapp has taken a gamble and fielded under strength sides in the two previous European games reiterating the Premier League as his main priority. However, with a European trophy at stake and an opportunity to progress through the competition sooner rather than later Tottenham will be looking to take all 3 points so they can firmly take advantage of Group A. Tottenham go into the game in excellent form with their last game against Newcastle proving a minor hiccup where they let the lead slip on two separate occasions. With Rubin Kazan heading into the business end of their domestic league with 3 games to play, they sit 6th in the table and struggling to qualify for Europe altogether for next season. This makes tonight€™s encounter at White Hart Lane top priority with success in the competition a route back into Europe for the Russian Club. There have been many memorable European nights at the Lane with the fans and atmosphere always first class. If Spurs can take all 3 points tonight as well as coming through the match with no new injury worries there is no reason why it can€™t be a night to a remember for the spurs faithful. Team news for Thursday night€™s Europa League clash between Tottenham and Rubin kazan at White Hart Lane, Kick-off 8.05pm; Redknapp will once again play an under strength side with Danny Rose, Andros Townsend and Tom Carroll likely to start. Sandro and winger Aaron Lennon will be given late fitness tests and could play, however they will be without King, Dawson, Corluka and Gallas who are all on Tottenham€™s ever-growing injury list. Pavlychenko who has yet again been linked with a transfer away from the club will be the only available experienced striker included in the squad. Tottenham Squad for Tonight€™s Europa League Match: Gomes, Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Waller-Lassen, Kaboul, Livermore, Sandro, Lennon, Townsend, Fredericks, Carroll, Nicholson, Parret, Pavlyuchenko, Dos Santos, Falque, Kane, Lancaster, Pritchard.