Tottenham vs Inter Milan Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Tottenham Hotspur welcome Inter Milan to White Hart Lane on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.

Spurs head into the game in superb form with Sunday’s 2-1 win over rivals Arsenal moving them into third place in the Premier League and well on course to cement a top-four finish this season. The win was Tottenham’s fourth straight league victory and extended their unbeaten run to a record 12 games.

Andre Villas-Boas men have also won their last three European fixtures at the Lane and they reached the last 16 thanks to a late Mousa Dembele strike that edged out Lyon in the last round.

Inter on the other hand arrive in London off the back of some inconsistent form in Serie A having won just three of their last 12 games and are currently well of the pace in the title race.

The last time the two clubs met was back in 2010/11 in the Champions League group stages when Spurs ran out 3-1 winners at White Hart Lane while Gareth Bale also bagged a hat-trick at the San Siro during a 4-3 defeat in the reverse fixture, so Tottenham know they can hurt the Italians.

Team News

Emmanuel Adebayor is a major doubt for the game after picking up a knee injury against Arsenal last weekend. The Togo hitman was forced off on a stretcher and hasn’t taken part in full training this week so it’s likely that Jermain Defoe will come in up front.

Midfielder Mousa Dembele was also forced off on Sunday but he has been passed fit to play and is expected to start alongside Scott Parker in midfield.

Brad Friedel will once again replace Hugo Lloris in goal, but Younes Kaboul, Sandro and Tom Huddlestone all remain on the sidelines with knee injuries.

Inter are expected to recall Antonio Cassano for the game. The striker was dropped for Saturday’s win over Catania following a row with boss Andrea Stramaccioni but he has since apologised and accepted a fine from the club so is back in contention.

Rodrigo Palacio may have played his way into the starting eleven after he scored a brace at the weekend but Diego Milito, Walter Samuel and Andrea Ronocchia all remain out through injury.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

Tottenham should be high on confidence after their win over Arsenal and with Inter seemingly in something of a transition period we can see the Londoners taking the first leg tonight, but the Italians may nick an away goal. Tottenham 2-1 Inter Milan

What would be your starting eleven and whats your score prediction? Get involved in the comments section below.