Tottenham vs Elfsborg prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-29 20:00.
[p]Ahead of the final round of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase, Tottenham Hotspur can afford to ignore their seven-game winless run in the Premier League as their win at Hoffenheim means they will live to fight another day in this competition. Struggling boss Ange Postecoglou praised his side for āstanding upā in the face of the pressure, although heāll need them to do so again as only victory can guarantee a top-eight finish.Ā [/p]
[p]Progressing directly to the round of 16 seems like a distinct possibility for hot favourites Tottenham, who enter this clash on the back of ten straight unbeaten UEL home games (W8, D2), with seven victories coming without reply. That run stretches back across 16 games to 2020 if considering all European home games (W13, D3 excluding a walkover v Rennes), a good omen ahead of what is Spursā first meeting with Swedish opponents since a defeat in the now defunct Intertoto Cup.Ā [/p]
[p]Co-winners of the final edition of that extinct cup in 2008, six-time Swedish champions Elfsborg arrive in England to play European football for the first time knowing only a win guarantees their place in the play-off round. Currently in pre-season and finishing seventh last time around in the Allsvenskan, this competition has Elfsborgās sole focus and they could make history by reaching a current UEFA competition knockout round for the first time.Ā [/p]
[p]Defeating Ligue 1 side Nice in the previous round, Elfsborg have something of a case to feel confident despite their double-figure odds for success. But one quick glance at their European away form should temper any fanciful expectations, with the Scandinavian outfit conceding 24 goals across their last eight away games in major European competitions for a per-game average of three, unsurprisingly contributing to their horrific return of just one win and seven defeats.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Son Heung-min was back amongst the goals last week and struck the net within the first half-hour in two of Tottenhamās last three UEL games. Simon Hedlund leads the way for UEL goal contributions for Elfsborg (G1, A2), although he failed to win in his last three competitive scoring games (D1, L2).Ā [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Elfsborg have failed to score in just one of their last seven UEL away games (W3, D1, L3).Ā [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]