Thursday, August 18, 2011

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18.08. (Thu) 20:45 Hearts - Tottenham Hot.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

HEARTS


Kello
Hamill, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Grainger
Mrowiec
Templeton, Robinson, Driver
Sutton, Stevenson


TOTTENHAM


Gomes
Walker, Dawson, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto
Lennon, Palacios, Modric, Bale
Pavlyuchenko, Defoe

Hearts defender Eggert Jonsson and winger Arvydas Novikovas are both doubtful with rib and ankle injuries respectively after the pair went off during the Tynecastle side’s 3-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday.

Paulo Sergio will also have to do without the services of long-term absentees Calum Elliot (knee), Kevin Kyle (hip) and David Obua (hamstring) while Andy Webster and wingers Mehdi Taouil and Suso Santana are approaching full fitness and should be available for the second leg.

Tottenham will arrive in Edinburgh without centre-backs William Gallas (calf) and Ledley King (knee), and also Steven Pienaar, Jermaine Jenas, Tom Huddlestone and Sandro, who are all on the sidelines for Harry Redknapp’s side.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hearts made their way into the Europa League playoff round by defeating Hungarian side Paks SE 4-1 at Tynecastle with Ryan Stevenson scoring twice and Andy Driver and Rudi Skacel getting the other goals after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

The second leg in Edinburgh was Sergio’s first game in charge of the club after owner Vladimir Romanov dismissed former manager Jim Jefferies after only two games of the Scottish Premier League season.

The Jambos recorded their first league victory of the season on Saturday, beating Aberdeen 3-0, with Novikovas opening the scoring before former Spurs trainee John Sutton scored his first two goals for the club.

Tottenham will play their third Scottish side in European competition, after having been involved in two ‘Battle of Britain’ ties against Rangers in 1962 and Aberdeen in 1973, where the White Hart Lane side came out on top 8-4 and 5-2 on aggregate in each respective fixture.

The Tynecastle fixture will be Spurs' first competitive game of the season, after their game with Everton on Saturday at White Hart Lane was postponed on police advice due to the recent riots in the local area.

Redknapp’s side come into the playoff round first leg after recording five friendly victories in a row over Athletic Bilbao, Brighton and Hove Albion, Leyton Orient, Milton Keynes Dons and Orlando Pirates.

Prediction 
Editor's Prediction 
Hearts 1-3 Tottenham