WLWLWThat’s the outcome of Tottenham Hotspur’s last five Premier League games as they managed to defeat Aston Villa’s Champions League side and to destroy Manchester City at Etihad, but also to lose to modest Crystal Palace and EPL struggler Ipswich Town.This Spurs’ see-saw, or a rollercoaster to be precise, always entertains the neutrals but must be a nerve-wreck for their hardcore fans. By now, they must have been accustomed to this whirlwind of results and form, which takes them to the top and straight back to the bottom within a week or so.After that sensational performance at Etihad against City, it’s time for the next European challenge at home against Roma.Forget about Cityzens! From now on, CitySons rule!##NAJAVA_MECA_8528328##The visitors are literally in shambles, facing a major crisis both on and off the pitch. The Giallorossi sacked their recently appointed psychologist, and Claudio Ranieri has been their third coach since the start of the season, which tells you quite a lot about Roma’s current situation.Therefore, bearing in mind all that chaos around the club and the team, it’s reasonable to conclude Tottenham would have no problem dealing with tonight’s rival, right?Wrong.AS Bizarre – Roma’s psychologist leaves club just 20 days after arrivalIt’s almost certain that we’ll witness another unpleasant surprise from Ange’s side, capable of amazingly fighting the giants and bottling against underdogs. Moreover, the latest news says that as many as nine players from their regular squad will be missing, mainly due to injuries.Guglielmo Vicario has joined Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison on their already long list of absentees after undergoing surgery for a right ankle fracture. Playing an hour with a broken ankle? Not a problem for Spurs’ hero!Mikey Moore remains out due to a virus, and Will Lankshear will be unavailable after his red card against Galatasaray in the previous UEL round.Ange Postecoglou was asked about Italian football & whether he’d ever been close to working in Italy ahead of Tottenham’s #UEL clash with Roma.Referenced Milan & Sacchi, while he “loved watching @sampdoria_en play”.“I love the country, love the food and love the football” pic.twitter.com/3sXDT7mEu3— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) November 27, 2024 Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon are also unavailable for selection after missing out on Tottenham’s 25-man squad that was named at the beginning of September.”You will see the same Spurs you see every game, mate,” explained Postecouglou ahead of the match. “It’s about going out there trying to play our football and try to be the best we can be. Sometimes that doesn’t work out and it hasn’t worked out for us in a couple of games this year. We know that and it’s something we need to improve.”At the same time, there has been more good than bad. If you are looking for likely outcomes, I would say good. We have had the flat spots that we are working through but I don’t discount the football we have played either. I think we have played some outstanding football. For me it is just about progress. I keep saying it, we are a better side than we were last year and we want to keep improving. If we keep improving, then the areas where there are gaps we will slowly overcome,” concluded he.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – ROUND 5Thursday 20.45: (3.05) AZ Alkmaar (3.50) Galatasaray (2.25)20.45: (4.20) Anderlecht (3.60) Porto (1.95)20.45: (1.23) Ath.Bilbao (6.25) Elfsborg (13.0)20.45: (1.70) Besiktas (3.70) Maccabi T.A. (5.10)20.45: (2.85) Dynamo Kyiv (2.95) Plzen (2.75)20.45: (1.30) Lazio (5.20) Ludogorets (11.0)20.45: (3.40) Qarabag (3.50) Olympique Lyon (2.10)20.45: (5.20) Rigas (3.60) PAOK (1.72)23.00: (2.10) Braga (3.80) Hoffenheim (3.45)23.00: (3.50) FCSB (3.45) Olympiakos (2.20)23.00: (1.90) Ferencvaros (3.75) Malmo (4.30)23.00: (1.22) Man.Utd. (7.25) Bodo (15.0)23.00: (3.60) Midtjylland (3.50) Eintr.Frankfurt (2.05)23.00: (1.95) Nice (3.60) Rangers (4.20)23.00: (2.10) Slavia Praha (3.50) Fenerbahce (3.80)23.00: (2.00) Sociedad (3.60) Ajax (4.10)23.00: (1.70) Tottenham (4.50) Roma (4.55)23.00: (2.30) Twente (3.40) St.Gilloise (3.35)***odds are subject to change***
