Preview: Benfica vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Tim Sherwood's Tottenham Hotspur have a difficult task on their hands if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Spurs travel to Benfica knowing that they have to score at least three goals in the Estadio da Luz after going down 3-1 in the home leg last week.

If Spurs are to pull off a huge away result and progress, they will be the first team to beat Portuguese league leaders Benfica since November 5.

Since that day when they lost 1-0 to Greek side Olympiacos in the Champions League, Jorge Jesus's men have an impressive record of 23 wins and two draws from their 25 games.

On Thursday night, Spurs look set to field a weakened defence with Michael Dawson and Vlad Chiriches out injured, while Jan Vertonghen is suspended.

Younes Kaboul might be the only senior defender available and could be joined at centre-back by youngster Ezekiel Fryers.

Further forward Sherwood might want to go for broke and could start both Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado.

Jesus has fewer selection worries and could name a similar side to the one that started at White Hart Lane.

Silvio is missing because of suspension, while Ruben Amorim, Nicolas Gaitan and Enzo Perez are all one yellow card away from missing the next game if they progress as expected.

Recent form

Benfica: WWWWWW

Tottenham: LLLWWL

Possible starting lineups

Benfica: Oblak; Luisao, Garay, Pereira, Guilherme Siqueira, Fejsa, Perez, Lima, Rodrigo, Markovic, Cardozo

Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Kaboul, Fryers, Rose; Lennon, Paulinho, Eriksen, Townsend; Adebayor, Soldado

Sports Mole says: 1-1