Spurs Set For Narrow Win Over Shamrock Rovers

Tottenham's progression in the Europa League is out of their hands and it looks highly likely that a won't be enough to send Harry Redknapp's side through to the knockout stages which probably won't upset too many Spurs fans or staff. Elimination from this competition would leave Spurs in just the Premiership and FA Cup this season and there certainly won't be any excuses about tired players in the second half of the season. Shamrock took the lead at White Hart Lane in the first fixture between these sides and proved no pushover in that fixture despite losing 3-1 in the end and there is no guarantee than Spurs will win this match regardless of the result in the other Group A match.

Tottenham have left their stars at home for this match as usual in this competition and the likes of Rafael Van Der Vaart, Emmanuel Adebayor, Scott Parker and Luka Modric will play no part in this match having been left in London. Carlo Cudicini and Gomes will be competing for the goalkeeper's spot whilst first teamer Younes Kaboul is expected to start in defence as he is suspended for Sunday's league game against Sunderland, he should be joined in defence by Sebastien Bassong, Danny Rose and Vedran Corluka. Niko Kranjcar is back from injury and is likely to start in this match alongside recent injury returnee Steven Pienaar whilst Jake Livermore and Sandro look likely to make up the centre of the midfield. Jermain Defoe could be given more game time in attack, Giovani Dos Santos and youngster Harry Kane are in contention to start alongside Defoe.

This will be Michael O'Neill's final game in charge of Shamrock Rovers and he will be looking for a fairytale result for his side tonight. He certainly has a chance of getting it against a slightly make shift Spurs side but the most likely result has to be a win for Spurs. They only won 3-1 at home though and this game could be even tighter so the best bet in this match should be Spurs to win by a one goal margin.

Recommendation: BACK SPURS TO BEAT SHAMROCK ROVERS BY A ONE GOAL MARGIN