Tottenham are set to be boosted by the return of Nabil Bentaleb from a month-long injury absence on Thursday as they look for the win against Partizan Belgrade to book their place in the Europa League knockout stage.
The 20-year-old Algeria international has been a big miss for Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino in the past few weeks as he was sidelined because of an ankle injury.
However, Bentaleb has progressed well in training this week and should play some part against the Serbian outfit at White Hart Lane.
Spurs know a win will secure them qualification from Group C and given that they are unbeaten in 17 European games on home soil, it is likely that Pochettino will want them to get the job done to avoid needing something from a tricky final group game away against Turkish side Besiktas.
Partizan have only one point – from a goalless home draw against Spurs in the opening game – and one goal from their four matches to date, having not won in their past 16 European group-stage games.
Bentaleb’s return to the squad could be timely given that the midfield duo of Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend are struggling with respective knee and ankle problems.
Pochettino will also have to check on strike duo Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado before naming his starting line-up.
Spurs, who are 1.60 to top Group C, are 1.22 to win the game, while Partizan are 9.92 and the draw is 5.57.
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