Anzhi Makhachkala vs. Tottenham: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Tottenham will look to continue their strong start to the campaign by emerging with three points from a Europa League road match against Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. Spurs lead Group K after a win over Tromso in the opener.

Counting the playoff round, Tottenham have now played three matches in the tournament and won them all by a combined score of 11-0. Paired with some impressive Premier League showings and expectations are definitely on the rise at White Hart Lane.

The opposite is true for Anzhi. After a summer in which the club moved some of its most reliable contributors, including Samuel Eto'o, Christopher Samba and Willian, the Orlov are still searching for their first victory of the season.

So the clubs are clearly moving in opposite directions, and Tottenham must take advantage. Let's take a glance at all the key viewing information for the clash, followed by an examination of the top storyline and a match prediction.

Where: Anzhi-Arena in Kaspiysk, Russia

When: Thursday, Oct. 3 at 12 p.m. ET (5 p.m. BST)

Watch: ITV 4

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go

Match Odds (via Bovada)

Tottenham: -225

Anzhi Makhachkala: +550

Draw: +325

Top Storyline: Can Tottenham take complete control of Group K?

The biggest mistake clubs make during the transfer windows is failing to look ahead. They don't do enough advanced planning, and then when a major star like Gareth Bale leaves, they are left without players capable of helping fill the void.

Tottenham avoided that fate. Key additions like Roberto Soldado, Christian Eriksen, Paulinho and Erik Lamela were made to offset the loss of Bale. None of those players are on the same level as him individually, but as a group kept the Spurs' squad strong.

As a result, the Europa League outlook is very promising. Tottenham are all alone atop the group after just one match and can really start to put some distance between themselves and the other clubs with a victory over Anzhi.

The quicker they can lock up a spot in the knockout rounds, the more flexibility manager Andre Villas-Boas will have as the schedule gets more busy. So it's important for Tottenham to avoid any letdowns that could make the path out of Group K more complicated.

It shouldn't be a major issue, though. The new players have made a seamless transition and allowed Spurs to showcase good form early. Even on the road, anything less than a victory would be a disappointing result given Anzhi's struggles.

Prediction

Anzhi Makhachkala should start playing better as the campaign wears on. As for now, however, there were simply too many key chances made during the offseason to expect them to compete with a side playing as well as Tottenham.

Spurs should be able to control the match from the outset. Even if it takes them awhile to break down Anzhi's defensive wall, the Russian club doesn't have the talent necessary to make a consistent impact on the counterattack. So Tottenham should cruise to three points.

Tottenham 2, Anzhi Makhachkala 0