Good evening everyone. The Europa League is back tonight, and Tottenham Hotspur meet Fiorentina in the first leg of their last-32 clash at White Hart Lane in what is surely one of the biggest ties in the round. Both sides are confident of making further progress in the competition, but who will steal the advantage tonight?

Spurs reached this stage of the competition by finishing second behind Besiktas in Group C, while Fiorentina topped Group K, although they probably would have hoped for a kinder draw in the last 32. The promise of a Champions League spot for the winners of the Europa League has changed the perception of this competition this year, and these two sides are competing for qualification in this cup and in their respective leagues this season.

SPURS: Lloris, Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Bentaleb, Paulinho; Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend; Soldado

SUBS: Vorm, Dier, Rose, Dembele, Lamela, Mason, Kane

Surprised by that Spurs side? I'm guessing you're not alone. Mauricio Pochettino decides to leave the in-form Harry Kane on the bench ahead of Sunday's Premier League game with West Ham, but it's a very big risk from the Argentine. Ryan Mason is also named as a substitute as Roberto Soldado and Paulinho start for the hosts. There's also places for Andros Townsend and Nacer Chadli, who are set to operate on the wings either side of Christian Eriksen.

FIORENTINA: Tatarusanu, Rodriguez, Savic, Pizarro, Mati Fernandez, Joaquin, Basanta, B. Valero, Pasqual, Gomez, Salah

SUBS: Neto, Richards, Badelj, Aquilani, Alonso, Babacar, Ilicic

Mohamed Salah starts for the visitors on his return to London after being loaned out by Chelsea on transfer deadline day. Joaquin and Borja Valero are among the starters in midfield, but Micah Richards is forced to settle for a place on the bench. Former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is also named as a substitute.

It's @NChadli's first start in seven matches in all competitions (last start vs Sunderland, January 17) #COYS pic.twitter.com/bXXNLYQLSr — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 19, 2015

What would be a good result for either of these sides tonight? Vincenzo Montella's Fiorentina side would be delighted to take an away goal from the game to put the pressure on Spurs ahead of the second leg next month. Pochettino will surely just want to be ahead by the end of the night, but a clean sheet could prove to be crucial.

The decision to leave out Kane is understandable as Spurs look to continue their bid for a spot in the Premier League's top four, but the striker has been in fantastic form recently, and Fiorentina will certainly be happy to see him on the bench. If Spurs struggle to break down the visitors tonight, Pochettino's decision could be criticised.

PREDICTION: If Spurs can play some of the football they've produced in the Premier League recently, the hosts can control against Fiorentina, who could look to operate on the counter attack. There's exciting players on both sides, so we could see a lot of chances. I'm going for a Spurs win. 2-1.

.@acffiorentina warm up in front of the away fans. #uel https://t.co/XQOPSHkhYL — Mark Pettit (@UEFAcomMarkP) February 19, 2015

Fiorentina head into this match on the back of a six-match unbeaten run, so we'll be seeing two sides in very good form face off tonight. European nights at White Hart Lane usually deliver excitement, and the visiting supporters are making plenty of noise already. The players are on their way out for kickoff.

Fiorentina will get the game underway.

The ball is shared around pretty evenly early on, with both Gomez and Soldado drifting into offside positions as the two sides look to get onto the front foot.

YELLOW CARD! Silly from Rodriguez as he picks up the first booking in the game for chopping down Townsend on the wing. That puts the defender under a lot of pressure.

All of the talk was about the decision to leave out Kane, but it's Soldado who scores a vital early goal for the hosts. Moments after Chadli's effort is saved Spurs take the lead as Palinho's corner is volleyed hom emphatically by Soldado. It's an excellent finish. What a start for Spurs!

More good work from Spurs as Townsend leads the attack before playing in Soldado, whose cross sails over the crossbar to the relief of Tatarusanu.

You never know what Soldado will produce, but he's leading the line impressively in the early stages. Spurs look the sharper of the two sides, and the Spaniard has been heavily involved so far. Fiorentina are looking sluggish.

Spurs put the pressure on as Paulinho miscues an effort following good work from Walker, before the Brazilian midfielder sees his corner cleared by the visitors. The hosts are committing a lot of men forward at the moment.

A very well deserved pat on the head! It was a fantastic strike by @R9Soldado to give us the lead. #COYS pic.twitter.com/kN1gEPxKVY

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 19, 2015

CHANCE! Fiorentina enjoy an extended spell of possession, and they miss a good opportunity when Joaquin completely misses an attempted volley at the back post. Poor from the winger.

Much better from Fiorentina. They move the ball across the edge of the box quickly to find Salah, who earns a yard of space before hitting a powerful effort at the diving Vertonghen.

Excellent football from the hosts as Chadli controls a high ball before setting up Eriksen, who sends a powerful strike just over the crossbar. Tottenham's attacking midfielders are finding plenty of space.

A goal can change everything. Soldado's confidence is sky-high as he reacts to a deflected cross by connecting with an overhead kick which Tatarusanu.

Paulinho is seeing a lot of the ball in the Spurs midfield, and the Brazilian storms forward once again before testing Tatarusanu with a low strike from 25 yards.

You wouldn't expect the pace of this match continue. It's been a very entertaining start, with Spurs still looking the better of the two sides. Fiorentina need to tighten up at the back to limit the space on offer to the likes of Eriksen, Chadli and Paulinho.

Spurs commit too many men forward, and leave a lot of space for Fiorentina to break at pace, but Townsend receives a huge round of applause from the home fans when he tracks back to win the ball back for his side.

Fiorentina are starting to settle down at the back, and they've pushed further up to cramp the Spurs midfield for room. It looks like Soldado will get another chance to score his second of the night, but an offside flag halts his progress.

Townsend is causing plenty of problems on the right as he cuts in from the wing to fire a shot wide via a deflection from Savic. Fiorentina do not look comfortable coming out to confront the England international.

10 - Ten of Roberto Soldado's last 11 goals for Spurs have been scored at White Hart Lane. Comfort.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 19, 2015

Fiorentina move the ball around patiently before breaking through with Pascal, whose inviting cross is met with an effort from Gomez which drifts just wide of the post. Lloris probably had it covered.

YELLOW CARD! Soldado is late with a challenge on Joaquin and the striker picks up a yellow card. Fiorentina have a free kick in a very dangerous position on the edge of the box.

Fiorentina are back level! Fernandez's free kick is well saved by Lloris, but the ball strikes Savic before falling to Basanta, who has the easy task of tapping in the equaliser from close range. That could be a very big goal in this tie.

How will Spurs respond? They've been the better side, but Fiorentina are improving quickly and they almost create another chance when Pasqual receives the ball in an offside position on the wing.

Spurs need to keep getting the ball to Townsend. He's looking dangerous on both wings, and another corner is won at the end of a tricky run.

Spurs decide to take their latest corner short, but Townsend's delivery is slightly too strong as the ball drifts out for a goal kick.

OFF THE BAR! Spurs come agonisingly close to regaining the lead. Walker's dangerous cross is flicked on by Soldado, and the loose ball is fired against the crossbar by Chadli. Fiorentina manage to clear the danger in a congested box.

A very entertaining first half comes to an end at White Hart Lane. Spurs started superbly and deservedly led thanks to Soldado's volley, but Fiorentina improved before the break to level through Basanta. The visitors will be very happy.

Spurs certainly have the ability to create more chances, and they've looked dangerous when committing men forward from midfield. We could see Fiorentina look to frustrate the hosts in the second half after claiming a crucial away goal. Chadli's effort against the crossbar is proof that Spurs can continue to threaten.

A statistical look at the opening 45 minutes. #COYS pic.twitter.com/sDwyoGp06c

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 19, 2015

BENCH WATCH: Pochettino is sure to be pretty happy with how his attacking players performed in the first half, but he does have Kane, Erik Lamela and Mousa Dembele on the bench if he needs to change anything. It wouldn't be a surprise if Montella turned to Aquilani for a calm presence in midfield at some stage in the second half.

I'm sure Fiorentina would take this result if you offered it to them now, and the pressure is probably on Spurs to look for a lead before the end of this first leg. However, the home side really need to be careful. A second away goal would make Fiorentina firm favourites.

The two sides are back out on the pitch at White Hart Lane. Spurs will get the game back underway.

CHANCE! Fiorentina make a bright start to the second half as Salah finds space on the edge of the box before curling just past the post.

Joaquin has been one of the better players for the visitors. The Spaniard may not be as quicker as he was a few years ago, but he's still a very clever passer of the ball and he's been involved a lot since Fiorentina fell behind early on.

YELLOW CARD! Chadli shows a great turn of pace to knock the ball past Savic, who is cautioned for pulling back the Belgian. Paulinho sends the free kick into the box, but Fiorentina clear.

The game has hit a rare quiet period, and it certainly looks like Fiorentina have tightened up at the back and in midfield. It should suit the visitors to operate on the counter attack with a vital away goal in the bank.

Clever work from Paulinho, Soldado and Eriksen on the edge of the box, but a promising move comes to an end when the latter's strike is blocked.

Davies is starting to get forward a bit more now, and the Welsh left-back links up with Chadli well before drilling an inviting ball across the box. Chadli then beats his marker to curl in a cross which just evades everyone in the box.

Townsend finds the space on the wing to curl in a cross for Soldado, who is unable to make the right contact with a header which drifts wide of the target.

Another Spurs attack breaks down, but the hosts keep the move alive and Bentaleb fires a half-volley over, before Pizarro drags a speculative effort wide at the other end.

CLOSE! Superb from Townsend once again as he beats a couple of defenders on the right before cutting inside to fire a shot just wide of the post.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Alonso comes on to replace Pasqual, and there's a huge cheer from the home fans as Chadli makes way for Harry Kane, who is set to join Soldado in the centre of attack. Eriksen is likely to move out to the left.

It's no surprise to see Kane operating just behind Soldado. He enjoys dropping deeper, so it could be Fiorentina's midfield who are forced to handle the threat of Tottenham's in-form forward.

Gomez has been forced to feed off scraps for most of the match, but the German does well to pick the ball up in a deeper position before sending a wayward effort over the crossbar.

SAVE! Tatarusanu sprints off his line quickly to deny Paulinho after the Brazilian had been played through by Soldado's clever flick. Good save from the Fiorentina goalkeeper.

Spurs take another corner short, and Townsend delivers a cross which is headed straight at Tatarusanu by Soldado. It's the hosts who are pushing for the winner now as Fiorentina look to protect this valuable scoreline.

SUBSTITUTION: Spurs make their second change as Lamela comes off the bench to replace Townsend, who has had a good game on the wing.

Spurs continue to pile on the pressure as Savic puts Eriksen's dangerous cross behind for a corner, which eventually reaches Lamela, whose low strike flies just wide of the post.

SUBSTITUTION: Montella makes another change as Valero makes way for Milan Badelj.

It's not been such a thrilling encounter since the break, but Fiorentina are keeping it tight at the back to frustrate the home side heading into the final few minutes. They will be delighted if this result is secured.

SUBSTITUTION: Spurs make their final change of the night as Mason replaces Paulinho in midfield. Josip Ilicic then comes on for Gomez.

Kane drops deep to begin a run on the right wing, and the forward does brilliantly to win a corner for his side. However, Tatarusanu comes off his line to collect under pressure.

Spurs are running out of time to find a winner at White Hart Lane, and in truth, Fiorentina are looking pretty comfortable at the back now after starting so poorly. Can either side create a chance late on?

Salah produces a clever piece of skill to find space before hitting a poor effort over the crossbar. Three minutes of added time to be played.

Good work from Joaquin again as he sprints into space on the wing before teeing up Fernandez, who drags an effort wide from the edge of the box.

It's all over at White Hart Lane. Neither side manage to find a winner in the closing stages, and it's Fiorentina who will be the happier team ahead of the second leg next month. The away goal could prove to be crucial in this last-32 tie.

That's all from me tonight, but make sure you keep an eye out for reaction from both sides this evening. We hope you've enjoyed the live coverage. Goodnight.