Spurs expecting another tough challenge with Besiktas up next

Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas come into this Europa League Group C clash with Premier league side on the back of five games without defeat in all competitions. Two of those were 1-0 away wins, so take odds of 4/1 for victory, and 14/1 for them to record that scoreline again against a Spurs side lacking confidence.

However, the Istanbul outfit’s three other matches were all 1-1 draws, and Coral fancy a share of the spoils more with odds of 11/4, while 7/1 says the two sides get a goal apiece.

Besiktas have already been in north London this season, when they faced Tottenham’s arch-rivals Arsenal in the Champions League play-offs. They were knocked out after a close 1-0 loss on aggregate. Spurs will be desperate not to be out-performed by the Gunners, and are 8/13 odds-on favourites to win on their home turf.

Tottenham are in a poor run of form of late, though, having won just one of their last six games in all competitions, but can take confidence from their much improved performance against Arsenal at the Emirates as they drew 1-1.

Captain Younes Kaboul spoke confidently following that derby fixture, saying: “The most important thing for myself, the players and the staff is that we showed a strength of mentality, we were strong on the pitch.

“We move on. This game is done, now we need to focus on Besiktas on Thursday [October 2nd]. If we play the same way we did at Arsenal, we should have no problems, but we need to repeat that performance. We have set the tone.”

Besiktas and Spurs have faced each other once before in this competition, when it was known as the UEFA Cup, with the Londoners being 2-0 victors away in Turkey. They are 13/2 chances to record that score in their favour once more.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men drew 0-0 last time out in this competition away to Partizan Belgrade, but have got goals in the qualifying play-offs in a 5-1 aggregate victory over AEL Limassol.

England starlet Harry Kane netted in each of those games, so back him odds-on at 10/11 to score again anytime. Or a more enticing 7/2 for him to be on target last, as he could start from the bench, as he did against Nottingham Forest in the Capital One Cup.