Europa League: How Tottenham Hotspur Will Line Up Against Benfica

In certain parts of North London, Tottenham Hotspur vs. Benfica is a fixture associated with the former club's glory days.

The two clubs met in Tottenham's first European campaign, as Bleacher Report's Sam Pilger detailed earlier this week:

Benfica visit White Hart Lane for the first time since then on Thursday, the occasion being the first leg of the Europa League round of 16.

Today's protagonists cannot match names like Aguas, Blanchflower, Eusebio, Greaves and Mackay for their historic and romantic connotations (not yet at least). But in the meeting of the Portuguese Liga leaders—who knocked out PAOK Salonika in the previous round—and the Premier League's fifth-place side, an engaging contest nevertheless awaits.

With the North London derby coming just three days later, manager Tim Sherwood is facing the latest test in the ongoing balancing act between this season's targets.

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Prior to the last round's first leg against Dnipro, Sherwood said he did not intend for domestic affairs to preclude Spurs' attempt to win the Europa League.

"The priority of the club is to win both, a place in the Champions League and a trophy at the end of the Europa League," he said in his pre-match press conference last month, via the Daily Telegraph's Luke Edwards. "I think we have a squad that is big enough to do that."

Spurs' top-four hopes are hanging by a thread after last weekend's loss to Chelsea. Defeat by Arsenal would all but cut them, while in the process handing the Gunners North London bragging rights until next season. Considering all of this, you could understand if Sherwood decided to hold back against Benfica, especially with the second leg still to come.

However, the Spurs boss has done nothing in his short reign as manager thus far to suggest anything other than his encouraging a wholehearted approach. Besides, with the injuries his squad is suffering right now, he does not have much room to manoeuvre anyway.

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Given he played the last match against Dnipro, Hugo Lloris may get the nod in goal again. However, do not be surprised if Brad Friedel starts.

Kyle Naughton could well continue at right-back, with Kyle Walker likely to return there for Arsenal after playing in midfield against Chelsea. Sherwood confirmed via Tottenham's official website that Danny Rose is in contention, but he may not be rushed back, allowing Zeki Fryers another chance to impress.

Michael Dawson has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury last weekend, though Sherwood also noted he will only be out a couple of weeks. As Vlad Chiriches is still injured, Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen will almost certainly make up Spurs' centre-back pair.

Sherwood's midfield picks will be influenced by one expected returnee, according to an official Spurs' tweet:

Out with a back injury for Spurs' last two matches, the creative guile of Christian Eriksen has been missed. He played a leading role in their eventual win over Dnipro, and a similar performance would be welcome here.

His return would likely come in the base position of left midfield from which he has predominantly operated under Sherwood. Though he could be rested ahead of Arsenal, playing time is likely to be more crucial for a player who thrives on a certain rhythm.

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Andros Townsend and Paulinho could both be back at right wing and central midfield, respectively, after being dropped for Chelsea. The need for Sandro to get in more minutes following his own return from injury might see him selected to balance out the attacking instincts of those around him.

Sherwood is likely to favour an attacking approach at home, so expect two up front to try and get at Benfica.

Roberto Soldado is a strong possibility to start after tactical considerations saw him miss out against last season's Europa League winners. Emmanuel Adebayor could feasibly be rested ahead of Sunday's game against his old club. Then again, considering some of his overeager performances against former sides, getting him playing rather than overthinking might be the better choice.

Both Benfica and Tottenham have other concerns outside of the Europa League right now. Still, with history looming large over each club, the chance to claim a little of their own should not be passed up.

Predicted Tottenham line-up versus Benfica: Lloris; Naughton, Kaboul, Vertonghen (c), Fryers; Townsend, Sandro, Paulinho, Eriksen; Adebayor, Soldado.