No Slovenian club has ever come out on top against a team from England.

If Tottenham Hotspur are to avoid becoming the first club to fall when they travel to NK Maribor tomorrow evening in the Europa League, they will have to do so without the services of Gareth Bale.

Reports have claimed that the Welsh international will be given time off because his partner has just given birth to their first child.

Should Bale be omitted, young winger Andros Townsend is expected to deputise in his place.

Emmanuel Adebayor is also in contention following a spell on the bench behind England international Jermain Defoe.

Meanwhile, defender Jovan Vidovic will play no part for Maribor as he is suspended.

Recent form

Maribor: LWLLW

Spurs: LWDWW

Possible starting lineups:

Maribor: Handanovic; Milec, Rajcevic, Arghus, Mejac; Cvijanovic, Filipovic, Mertelj, Ibraimi; Tavares, Beric

Spurs: Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen; Livermore, Huddlestone, Townsend, Sigurdsson, Dempsey; Adebayor

Sports Mole says: 1-2

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