Tottenham face tricky away task against prickly Partizan crowd

Mauricio Pochettino will face one of his toughest tests as Tottenham boss yet, as he takes his team to Serbia to face Partizan Belgrade.

Spurs are odds-on favourites at 4/7 to secure victory against Marko Nikolic’s men, in what looks set to be a tantalising first encounter between the two sides.

Following former captain Michael Dawson’s departure to Hull City, Pochettino recently named centre back Younes Kaboul as his pick to be new Spurs skipper. The former France international misses a trip to the Partizan Stadium, however.

Also spared the hostile atmosphere are new vice-captain Emmanuel Adebayor, Belgium international pair Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele and left back Danny Rose, as all are rested. Travelling fans have urged not to wear club colours whilst in the city centre of the Serbian capital.

Super stopper Hugo Lloris will be stand-in skipper behind a defence containing summer signing Federico Fazio and Jam Vertonghen, though Kyle Walker remains sidelined. Tottenham will be given a further boost by the timely return of Spanish striker Roberto Soldado.

Soldado missed Spurs’ last two Premier League games with a neck injury, but has already opened his Europa League account. The Spaniard netted in the first leg tie against Cypriot side AEL Limassol, when Tottenham triumphed 2-1, and is available at 5/4 to hit home the last goal in this encounter.

Midfield maestro Christian Eriksen, meanwhile, is 6/1 to fire home first after netting Spurs’ opener against West Bromwich Albion last time out. Coral also have a matchday special of enhanced 4/1 odds on Tottenham winning both halves in Serbia, and you can stake a maximum of £20 on that market.

Whilst Spurs have racked up an impressive four wins from six games in all competitions so far this season, only tasting defeat once, they have picked up just one point from their last two Premier League matches.