Partizan Belgrade vs Spurs: Expect an entertaining Serbian showdown

Mauricio Pochettino has picked strong sides in the Europa League so far

Partizan Belgrade and Tottenham are set to kick off their Europa League group stage campaigns, and Kevin Hatchard expects their match-up to produce plenty of goals...

Partizan Belgrade v Tottenham Hotspur
Thursday September 18, 18:00
Live on ITV4

Partizan Belgrade

Serbian table-toppers Partizan Belgrade are having a strong season domestically, having won all five of their league matches. Coach Marko Nikolic has shown that he is happy to give youth a chance, and 17-year-old midfielder Danilo Pantic has been linked with a move to Juventus. 18-year-old attacking midfielder Andrija Zivkovic is not only the youngest player to ever captain Partizan, he's also the youngest player to ever represent Serbia at senior level. Former PSV and Leverkusen winger Danko Lazovic lends the side much-needed experience.

Partizan were knocked out of the Champions League on away goals by Bulgarian champions Ludogorets, and they beat Neftchi home and away to secure a place in the Europa League group stage. Star striker Petar Skuletic (eight goals in ten games this season) was one of four players sent off in the second leg against Neftchi (the other three played for Neftchi), and will miss this clash.

Spurs

Having disposed of Cypriot outfit AEL by five goals to one on aggregate, Spurs are now steeling themselves for another Europa League group stage campaign. In each of the past two seasons, the North London giants have sailed through the group stage unbeaten, and this looks to be another straightforward section. Besiktas will give Mauricio Pochettino's men a stiff test, but I still expect Spurs to win their group, and they are priced at 1.412/5 in the Group Winner market.

Although early optimism has been slightly dampened by a comprehensive home defeat to Liverpool and a frustrating draw at Sunderland (the lead was twice surrendered), there is still excitement about the potential of Spurs under Pochettino. Thus far the Argentine has taken this competition seriously, and he is expected to select another strong line-up in Belgrade. Defender Jan Vertonghen is still struggling with a thigh problem, and he'll be alongside Roberto Soldado and Kyle Walker on the sidelines. Pochettino has named defender Younes Kaboul as his captain, and he'll lead the team for the first time.

Match Odds

Spurs are 1.728/11 to win, and although they are the superior side in terms of quality and experience, Partizan are a technically gifted team who are used to winning. Indeed, Nikolic's side are yet to suffer a defeat this term, and 1.728/11 is just a touch too short to tempt me. If you think Spurs will be held, the draw is a hefty 4.03/1.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Even though Skuletic is suspended, Partizan still have plenty of bright attacking players, and ten of their 11 games this term have featured three goals or more. That includes three of their four European ties. Spurs have also been involved in plenty of exciting encounters this term - their last five matches in all competitions have contained at least three goals. Both sides are better going forward than they are defensively, and I think backing Over 2.5 Goals is the way to go at [1.91}.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.9110/11

2014/15 Europa League P/L (1pt per bet)

Points Staked: 11

Points Returned: 15.41

P/L: +4.41 points