Tottenham Hotspur vs. Besiktas: Key Issues That Will Shape Europa League Game
Tottenham Hotspur host Turkish club Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Neither side is in great form and both drew their opening matches in this competition, so Thursday's game has the potential to be very important.
Spurs will likely rest many of their star players in anticipation of a tough Premier League game against Southampton on Sunday. Against Nottingham Forest last week, Mauricio Pochettino made 11 changes to his team, and while such severe changes are unlikely, he will surely test the limits of his squad again.
Besiktas tested Arsenal in their recent Champions League qualifying tie and will present a real threat to Spurs.
Tottenham need to win this match to assume control of their Europa League fate. Defeat at home to Besiktas would make it far more difficult to top their group.
Here are some the key issues that will shape this Europa League match.
Can Besiktas Find Their Scoring Touch?
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Besiktas began the season scoring five goals over two legs of a Champions League qualifying tie against Feyenoord. Demba Ba scored a hat-trick in the second leg, and things were bright for the Black and Whites.
Unfortunately, goals have since rather dried up, and Besiktas have only managed five goals in their subsequent seven matches, with Ba failing to add a single strike.
They were also kept scoreless on their previous visit to north London, a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
If Besiktas carry this goalscoring form into Thursday's match, Spurs will be under little threat.
Spurs fans know well from his time in the Premier League that Demba Ba's scoring form relies entirely on the creativity behind him. Unlikely to create goals individually, Ba is an excellent finisher.
The problems for Besiktas, then, are in the line of three behind the central striker.
Olcay Sahan, Gokhan Tore and Oguzhan Ozyakup are the creative trio tasked with providing Demba Ba's attacking chances. Ozyakup has been struggling for form and fitness, and manager Slaven Bilic has withdrawn him before before the 70-minute mark in their last two games.
Ozyakup came through the Arsenal academy and would surely enjoy scoring against Tottenham. The 22-year-old gave a solid performance against the Gunners in their recent Champions League qualifying defeat and, although he has struggled in recent weeks, remains a key man for Besiktas.
Sahan has been enjoying a fine personal start to the season and has scored three goals already. He will be Besiktas' main wide threat. Attacking down the left flank, Eric Dier may be tasked with stopping him.
Similar in style to fellow Turkish international Arda Turan, Sahan is not blessed with great pace, but he is aggressive, persistent and tough. He will provide a stern test for Tottenham's left-back.
On the other flank is Tore, a squat and powerful midfielder who can explode away from defenders. If Besiktas are to shock Spurs, it will be the energy of Sahan and the power of Tore that will prove decisive.
Will Spurs' New Defensive Partnership Sink or Swim?
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Now that Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul seem to have established themselves as the first-choice defensive partnership, Vlad Chiriches and Federico Fazio are now the default selection for Europa League and cup matches.
This untested pairing should work well together. Fazio is tough and aggressive. Unambitious in possession and conservative in positioning, he could be the perfect partner for Chiriches. Chiriches is a madman. Exciting to watch and as likely to win a game as lose one, Chirches needs a partner who can keep him on a tight leash.
Much like Gerard Pique or David Luiz, Vlad Chiriches needs a senior defensive partner to keep his mind on the game in order to get the best out of him. Fazio is hugely experienced and made an impressive debut in Spurs' last Europa League match.
Chiriches is hugely talented but is still learning the game. Only 24 years old, there is plenty of time for Chiriches to develop into an excellent defender. Fazio could be the man to help bring that out in the relatively sedate arena of the Europa League.
Can Spurs Create Chances Without Eriksen?
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Christian Eriksen will almost certainly be rested for Spurs' Europa League clash with Besiktas. With the Southampton match looming, Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to risk his most important player.
Instead, Nabil Bentaleb and Mousa Dembele will come into the team and be expected to provide the creative thrust.
Against Nottingham Forest, Bentaleb started but was unable to control the game in the way he had been instructed to do. Spurs played a higher-tempo game, and Bentaleb was supposed to lead the rapid transitions and provide the filter when they held possession for extended periods.
Bentaleb tried hard but struggled in this more advanced role. He has played most of his senior games for Spurs in a deeper and more static role. More than capable in forward areas at youth level, Bentaleb needs time to further develop those same qualities.
The fact that Ryan Mason was selected ahead of Mousa Dembele against Arsenal suggests that the Belgian will be starting on Thursday evening.
Dembele needs game time to recover from the long-term hip injury that wrecked his last season. Spurs can no longer afford to carry him in Premier League games, but a home Europa League match is the perfect place for him to rediscover his form.
Bentaleb often played the "Dembele role" when Tottenham's academy sides aped the first team under Andre Villas-Boas. The Algerian international is unquestionably the more athletic of the two but lacks Dembele's attacking instincts.
In combination, they should provide a solid midfield platform for Spurs' attack to flourish.
Meeting of the Minds
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When Tottenham meet Besiktas on Thursday, the most interesting clash may not come on the pitch but on the sidelines.
Former Croatia boss Slaven Bilic is the Besiktas manager and provides an interesting contrast with Spurs' Mauricio Pochettino.
Both are young managers, former defenders and well-known students of the game. Bilic is renowned for his preparation for matches, while Pochettino's own devotion to pre-match study has also been reported.
The pair are energetic and committed to their philosophies and should provide a brilliant side-show to the Europa League match.
The Battle of the Fans
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Turkish fans are well-known for creating some of the most intense and intimidating atmospheres in world football.
When Arsenal recently welcomed Besiktas to The Emirates, the visiting fans overwhelmed the local support and made it sound something like a home game for the Black and Whites.
The impact of a partisan home crowd cannot be understated, and with Spurs still finding their feet this season, the vocal support of their fans will be necessary.
Besiktas are expected to send 2,800 fans to White Hart Lane on Thursday evening, so Spurs supporters must bring their best to compete.
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