Fiorentina vs. Tottenham: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream & TV Info

Tottenham's trip to face Fiorentina in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 32 tie is an ominous one. 

With demanding fixtures either side, Spurs could perhaps be forgiven for taking some of their focus away. With the prize on offer in this tournament, they should do no such thing. 

Victory in Florence, or even a high-scoring draw, will see them into the round of 16; only a handful of games from glory. 

Do not be fooled, Tottenham are on the verge of elimination from Europe. Fiorentina are an effective side that break well and are smartly coached. 

Spurs are a better team. They proved that across the 90 minutes in the first leg. While they certainly should have done better with the chances they made, Spurs were the superior side and should win through here. 

TV details 

United Kingdom: 6 p.m.—BT Sport 2 / BT Sport 2 HD

USA: 1 p.m. Eastern Time—ESPN3, Fox Sports 2 USA, Fox Soccer 2Go

Form Lines 

Both sides showed evidence of physical and mental fatigue in their league fixtures at the weekend. Spurs started poorly against West Ham while Fiorentina slipped up after taking a late lead against Torino.

The form of both sides is comparable and offers little insight into this intriguing match. 

La Viola 

Roma 0-2 Fiorentina

Fiorentina 3-2 Atalanta

Sassuolo 1-3 Fiorentina

Tottenham 1-1 Fiorentina

Fiorentina 1-1 Torino

Spurs 

Tottenham 2-2 West Ham

Tottenham 1-1 Fiorentina

Liverpool 3-2 Tottenham

Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal

West Brom 0-3 Tottenham

Player to Watch 

Fiorentina 

Mohamed Salah is the key man for the home side in this clash. He has an impressive record against Spurs, having scored against them for his last two clubs. The Egyptian didn't have the best of the first leg but scored what should have been the winner against Torino. His pace and ability to time his run make him a constant threat against a defensive line that pushes up in possession as Spurs do. If Salah has a strong game, Fiorentina will fancy their chances of progress.

Tottenham

Hugo Lloris is the key man in virtually every match that Tottenham play. You can name the poor performances he's had this season on one hand and each has corresponded with a bad result. 

When Lloris is at his best, no team in the world can find a way past him.

If the defensive line in front of him gives him confidence, Spurs will be huge favourites in this second leg. 

Formations 

Fiorentina almost threw away the tie with their approach in the first leg of this fixture with a narrow formation that allowed Spurs' wingers and full-backs to attack with impunity. After Montella switched his approach, Borja Valero was Fiorentina's main threat, bombing into the space behind Kyle Walker. Fortunately for Spurs, Valero is out. Salah will be the main threat, particularly if deployed behind Mario Gomez with freedom to attack. 

Tottenham should bring Benjamin Stambouli and Mousa Dembele into their lineup as the major changes from the first leg with Christian Eriksen and Paulinho dropping to the bench. Pochettino knows that his approach in that first fixture was correct but the execution was lacking. Michael Cox of ESPN pointed out that Roberto Soldado's best attributes are best served by wide play. Spurs should double down on that tactic. Montella has a wealth of options to deploy behind his main striker. That area will test Spurs' defensive rigidity and could expose Federico Fazio if he is selected ahead of Eric Dier. Dier's pace would be valuable here but his immaturity could lead to a costly mistake. There will be no second chances here. 

Key Battle

In the first leg, Vincenzo Montella set his team out to master the midfield. It made sense, Spurs' impressive performance against Arsenal had been built on the tenacious partnership of Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb in the engine room. That approach gave Spurs' wide men the freedom of White Hart Lane and they exploited it. When Montella adjusted, his forwards gave Spurs' defence plenty of trouble while themselves finding space out wide. Mauricio Pochettino has shown many times this season that he is prepared to adjust his approach for the opposition. The clash between these two intelligent, aggressive managers is the key battle of this tie. 

Odds 

Fiorentina are firm favourites to win this leg with most bookmakers offering 1/1 odds. Spurs are the big outsiders at 3/1. Salah is quite short at 5/2 to score anytime but that seems like a safe bet. Both Mousa Dembele and Andros Townsend are as high as 5/1 to score anytime which offer more value.