Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up for what should be a routine Europa League semi-final second leg contest against Bodo/Glimt at Aspmyra Stadion.
But it is far more complicated than that. Ange Postecoglou’s side claimed a 3-1 win on home turf at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first leg.
Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke were all on the score sheet, but Ulrik Saltnes’ late goal set up a nervy tie decider in Norway.
To make matters worse, Spurs are travelling to Glimt’s Aspmyra Stadion with a squad torn up by injuries.
Regardless of what team Postecoglou puts out, he should have enough to get the job done. But Spurs cannot afford any hint of complacency, with a place in the final still very much up for grabs.
How Tottenham could line up
Tottenham could be without up to five key players for tonight’s crunch contest.
Maddison, who got on the score sheet in North London, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a knee injury in that match.
Radu Dragusin is still dealing with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Lucas Bergvall won’t be able to shake off a knee problem in time to face Glimt.
That adds to Postecoglou’s concerns, but there’s cautious optimism that Solanke and skipper Son Heung-min will be able to play some part in the game.
Son has missed the last five games, but both players will need to pass a late fitness test.
If neither are fit to start, Richarlison and Brennan Johnson are likely to lead the attack, possibly joined by either Mathys Tel or Wilson Odobert, who scored against West Ham United last weekend.
In midfield, Dejan Kulusevski is tipped to step into Maddison’s creative boots, supported by Rodrigo Bentancur and one of Yves Bissouma or Pape Matar Sarr.
Defensively, Tottenham are expected to stick with the back four from the first leg, with Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie providing cover for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Predicted XI:
(4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Tel.