After an up-and-down first leg, Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to seal their place in the last 16 when they host Fiorentina at White Hart Lane on Thursday.

Mauricio Pochettino's side dominated the first half in Florence, but failed to earn an advantage to bring home as La Viola hit back in the second half last week.

Spurs

© Getty Images

Mauricio Pochettino's side were so comfortable in the first half at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and deservedly led at the break through Nacer Chadli's penalty, the Belgian's fifth goal in eight appearances for Spurs.

Fiorentina hit back through a deflected shot from long range and from that moment on Spurs were somewhat lucky to come away with a draw.

They then returned home for an FA Cup fifth-round tie with fellow Londoners Crystal Palace on Sunday and were stunned as the Eagles edged it 1-0, although some Spurs fans will still be wondering quite how Dele Alli's shot hit both posts and stayed out.

So after seven straight wins in all competitions it is none from two, but neither match has been in the Premier League - Spurs' main focus - and they are still very handily placed in second, just two points behind Leicester City as the season enters its final three-month stretch.

In Europe, Spurs are through to the round of 32 for the fourth season in succession - they also drew Fiorentina and lost 3-1 on aggregate last year - and they are unbeaten in eight European home games (W6 D2) since a 3-1 loss to Benfica in the 2013-14 Europa League round of 16.

Going further back, Tottenham have lost just one of the last 20 European matches at White Hart Lane, netting 50 goals and conceding just 17 (W15 D4 L1).

A goalless draw would be enough for Spurs because of Chadli's away goal, but they should be confident of scoring given that they have scored in 19 successive home games in European competition.

This will be the 15th meeting between Spurs and an Italian side in European competition, with the North London club winning just four previous games (W4 D6 L4).

Recent form: WWWWDL

Fiorentina

© Getty Images

Outclassed in the first half, but Fiorentina came out fighting after the interval and after Federico Bernardeschi's long-range shot flew in via a deflection off the underside of the bar, La Viola could have easily earned a lead to bring to London.

Gonzalo Rodriguez was guilty of heading wide the best chance of the lot, but there was still plenty to take confidence from in the closing stages of last week's first leg.

Fiorentina have qualified from three of their last four last-32 knockout ties in Europe, including in their last two appearances in the Europa League (2013-14 and 2014-15).

While Spurs were in FA Cup action at the weekend, Paulo Sousa's side extended their unbeaten Serie A run to six games with a 3-2 win at Atalanta to hold on to third place and stay six points behind leaders Juventus.

Fiorentina are also unbeaten away from home in Europe this season (W2 D1), scoring eight goals in those three contests. In their last 16 Europa League away matches, they have lost just once and conceded two or more on only two occasions.

La Viola's record in 11 European games against English sides is W6 D3 L2 and they are unbeaten in their last five matches against Premier League teams.

Recent form: DWDWDW

Team News

© Getty Images

He may not have even started, but Harry Kane is definitely out of tomorrow's game with a broken nose as Pochettino plays it safe with his star striker ahead of three Premier League games in the space of seven days.

Erik Lamela is Spurs' only player with Serie A experience from his previous club Roma, and the Argentine is expected to return from illness and could start ahead of Alli if Pochettino wants to give the teenager - booked in the first leg for a rash off-the-ball reaction - a rest and not risk him being suspended for the next round.

Ryan Mason could start in midfield with Moussa Dembele and Tom Carroll expected to miss out with groin and calf problems respectively.

Fiorentina have no new injury worries and are likely to name a similar starting XI to the one that lined up against Spurs last week.

Hugo Lloris has recovered from his shoulder injury but expect Michel Vorm to keep goal again and Lloris to then make his return in Sunday's visit of Swansea City.

Spurs possible starting lineup:
Vorm; Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Dier, Mason; Lamela, Eriksen, Son; Chadli

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Tatarusanu; Tomovic, Gonzalo, Astori, Alonso, Blaszczykowski, Costa, Borja Valero, Bernardeschi; Ilicic, Zarate

Head To Head

As mentioned, these two met in last season's first knockout stage as well, with Fiorentina winning the second leg at home 2-0 after Spurs managed the same 1-1 result in the first leg at home as Fiorentina have this year.

That two-legged tie 12 months ago was the first competitive meeting between the two.

We say: Spurs 2-1 Fiorentina

Even with Spurs' confidence perhaps a little dented and the fact that star striker Kane cannot play at all, the hosts should still be able to go through in normal time.

Previews by email