Preview: Dinamo Zagreb vs. Tottenham Hotspur - prediction, team news, lineups

Tottenham Hotspur head to the Croatian capital on Thursday evening for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie with Dinamo Zagreb.

Spurs will take a 2-0 lead into the match at Stadion Maksimir thanks to Harry Kane's double in last week's reverse fixture.

Match preview

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Tottenham's 2-1 loss to North London rivals Arsenal on Sunday may have put a dampener on things, but they are still battling for two trophies with two months of the season to go.

Next month's EFL Cup final with Manchester City presents the Lilywhites with a chance to end a 13-year wait for silverware, while the Europa League is also high on Jose Mourinho's priorities.

Spurs named a strong lineup for the first leg with Zagreb, despite the clash with Arsenal coming three days later, with Kane and Son starting the game.

That decision paid off as Kane's 25th-minute strike from a rebound and a composed low finish 20 minutes from time leaves Tottenham in a commanding position.

Indeed, Spurs have progressed from each of their previous three knockout ties in the Europa League when they have won the first leg.

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The defeat for Zagreb in the first leg brought an end to an eight-match winning streak in all competitions, and they returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 5-0 league victory at Varazdin.

The Blues have kept a clean sheet in eight of their last 10 outings, and another shutout on Thursday is imperative if they are to progress.

However, despite the positive results - the loss to Spurs aside - the Croatian champions are in turmoil ahead of Thursday's contest due to events off the field.

Head coach Zoran Mamic resigned on Monday after being sent to prison for four years and eight months following a conviction for fraud relating to club funds.

Damir Krznar will take charge of the second leg, but it is fair to say that Zagreb's preparations for the game have been far from ideal.

Team News

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Tottenham's defeat to Arsenal was bad in more ways than one as Mourinho saw Son Heung-min limp off with a hamstring problem.

The South Korea international will be assessed, but it is expected that he will not feature again before the international break.

Steven Bergwijn is an obvious replacement to come into the side on Thursday, while Kane may also be rested, opening up a place for Carlos Vinicius.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will play no part because of suspension, meanwhile, so one of Harry Winks or Moussa Sissoko could come in - or indeed both if Tanguy Ndombele is rested.

Zagreb may be without a manager but they do at least have pretty much a full strength squad to choose from, with Sadegh Moharrami their only confirmed injury absentee.

Stand-in boss Krznar is expected to keep things similar to the side that started at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a week ago.

Josko Gvardiol is a contender to come in at left-back at the expense of Marin Leovac.

Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Ristovski, Lauritsen, Theophile-Catherine, Gvardiol; Majer, Jakic, Ademi, Ivanusec, Orsic; Petkovic

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Lloris; Doherty, Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Sissoko, Winks; Lamela, Alli, Bergwijn; Vinicius

We say: Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 (0-4 on agg.) Tottenham Hotspur

One goal for Tottenham on Thursday will leave Zagreb requiring at least four to progress.

The home side have a good defensive record, but they have been rocked by the news of manager Mamic being sent to jail and we cannot see past an away victory.