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Spurs logo
Europa League | Playoffs
Oct 1, 2020 at 8pm UK
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Spurs
7 - 2
Maccabi Haifa

Kane (2', 55' pen., 74'), Moura (21'), Lo Celso (37', 40'), Alli (90+1' pen.)
FT(HT: 4-1)
Chery (17'), Rukavytsya (51' pen.)

Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Maccabi Haifa - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League playoff round tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Maccabi Haifa, including team news and predicted lineups.

Tottenham Hotspur and Maccabi Haifa meet in North London on Thursday evening with the winner securing a place in the Europa League group stages.

While Spurs have been required to progress through two ties to reach the playoff round, their next opponents have recorded three victories in succession.


Match preview

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho pictured on September 24, 2020© Reuters

While Jose Mourinho has long been aware that Spurs could face a punishing schedule this season, it has not prevented the Portuguese from naming strong lineups in three different competitions since the start of the month.

Although the North Londoners have not reaped the benefits in the Premier League, they were able to negotiate their way through to the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday evening with a penalty-shootout triumph over Chelsea.

Few first-team players were given the night off for the derby showdown, and it remains to be seen whether that will have any bearing on the all-important showdown later this week.

However, Mourinho is keen to build a winning mentality behind the scenes, regardless of whether his squad are pushed to the limit over the course of the next eight months.

Spurs are considerable favourites to prevail against their next opponents, but they cannot afford any complacency against a team who have won their last five matches in all competitions.

Despite no clean sheets being recorded during that successful run, Maccabi Haifa have had to dig deep on more than one occasion to get into this position.

Barak Bakhar's side found themselves trailing to Russian outfit FC Rostov in the previous round before Nikita Rukavytsya and Mohammad Abu Fani got on the scoresheet.

Australia international Rukavytsya, now 33 years of age, has already scored seven times in this competition and Israel's top flight this season.

After two games played, Maccabi Haifa are the only team to hold a 100% record on the domestic scene, putting them at the top of the division.

Tottenham Hotspur Europa League form: WW
Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions): LWWWDD

Maccabi Haifa Europa League form: WWW
Maccabi Haifa form (all competitions): LWWWWW


Team News

Steven Bergwijn celebrates scoring for Spurs on February 2, 2020© Reuters

Having been substituted during the second half against Chelsea, Steven Bergwijn could retain his place in the final third as a replacement for Son Heung-min.

Either Eric Dier or Toby Alderweireld should also keep their spot in the side, meaning that nine alterations may be made by Mourinho.

Despite being added to the squad list for this game, Sergio Reguilon will almost certainly be named among the substitutes, while it is unclear whether Dele Alli will be restored to the starting XI.

Barring any late fitness issues, Bakhar is expected to name the same team which began last Thursday's meeting with Rostov.

Tjaronn Cherry, who enjoyed a productive period with Queens Park Rangers between 2015 and 2017, will start in midfield.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Hart; Doherty, Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Hojbjerg, Winks; Moura, Lo Celso, Bergwijn; Kane

Maccabi Haifa possible starting lineup:
Cohen; Mabouka, Planic, Menachem, Habashi, Arad, Chery, Lavi, Abu Fani, Rukavytsya, Haziza


SM words green background

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Maccabi Haifa

Given the quick turnaround, this game should prove to be far from routine for the Premier League side. Nevertheless, with the rewards on offer for the victors, we expect the home side to use their big-match experience to their advantage, even if it requires a strong finish to the contest.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting that at least one team will not score (BTTS - no) in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.BTTS No:data


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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Tottenham Hotspur win with a probability of 52.78%. A draw had a probability of 24.2% and a win for Maccabi Haifa had a probability of 23.01%.

The most likely scoreline for a Tottenham Hotspur win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.25%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.68%) and 2-0 (9.46%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.51%), while for a Maccabi Haifa win it was 0-1 (6.85%). The actual scoreline of 7-2 was predicted with a 0% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Tottenham Hotspur would win this match.


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Game History

Who will progress through to the Europa League group stages?

Tottenham Hotspur
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Maccabi Haifa
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Tottenham Hotspur players celebrate beating Chelsea on penalties in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on September 29, 2020
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TeamPWDLPTS
1Frankfurt431010
2Galatasaray431010
3Lazio33009
4Anderlecht33009
5Spurs43019
6FCSB43019
7Rangers42117
8Olympiacos42117
9Ajax32107
10Bodo/Glimt42117
11Midtjylland42117
12Besiktas42026
13Lyon32016
14Fenerbahce31205
15Roma41215
16Porto31114
17Elfsborg41124
18Braga41124
19Real Sociedad31114
20Slavia Prague41124
21Hoffenheim31114
22Malmo41033
23Man Utd30303
24FC Twente40313
25Plzen30303
26Ferencvaros31023
27AZ31023
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31PAOK30121
32RFS30121
33Ludogorets40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv30030
36Dynamo Kiev30030


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