Tottenham need Europa League glory to save sorry season

Tottenham Hotspur host Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday evening.

Spurs have been disastrous domestically but still have a shot at European redemption this season. Under-fire Ange Postecoglou and his band of underperforming stars would end Tottenham’s remarkable 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League, also securing Champions League qualification as a welcome byproduct.

Tottenham’s current form and recent knockout record suggests that European silverware remains unlikely but they boast arguably the most talented squad remaining in this year’s competition.

Last eight opponents Eintracht are not to be underestimated, however, with the German side having enjoyed a mightily impressive term under the exciting Dino Toppmoller. Die Adler are currently third in the Bundesliga and were 6-2 aggregate victors over Dutch giants Ajax in the last 16.

Frankfurt also boast one of Europe’s most in-form centre-forwards, with Hugo Ekitike – who has been linked with the Premier League ahead of the summer window – scoring 19 times in all competitions this term.

Tottenham have had rotten luck with injuries this season but Postecoglou’s fitness woes have eased up in recent weeks. Richarlison returned to the bench during the weekend victory over Southampton, meaning only Dejan Kulusevski, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin are sidelined for Thursday’s clash.

Despite Wilson Odobert starting and scoring twice in Tottenham’s last Europa League outing, Brennan Johnson’s weekend brace could see him retain a starting berth for Frankfurt’s visit. Lucas Bergvall, who was a goal chalked off for offside at the weekend, should partner Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield, while Djed Spence could continue ahead of Destiny Udogie.

The rest of the Spurs side more or less picks itself, with Postecoglou requiring mammoth performances from stars like Cristian Romero, James Maddison and Son Heung-min.

Tottenham predicted lineup vs Frankfurt (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bergvall, Bentancur; Johnson, Maddison, Son; Solanke.

Elye Wahi was considered a significant doubt for the trip to north London but the forward, who has made just six appearances for Frankfurt since his winter switch, has been named in the travelling match squad. Timothy Chandler, another who was expected to miss out, also features.

However, Frankfurt remain without first-choice goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and Ansgar Knauff, Krisztian Lisztes, Eric Ebimbe and Igor Matanovic are all missing.

2014 World Cup final-winning goalscorer Mario Gotze, now 32, remains crucial to Toppmoller’s side and former Premier League representatives Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Mahmoud Dahoud and Michy Batshuayi have all made the trip back to England.

Frankfurt predicted lineup vs Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Kaua; Kristensen, Koch, Tuta, Brown; Skhiri, Larsson; Collins, Gotze, Bahoya; Ekitike.