Tim Sherwood: 'Tottenham Hotspur will respect Benfica'

Tottenham Hotspur boss Tim Sherwood has insisted that his players will "respect" Benfica when the teams meet in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Spurs welcome the Portuguese outfit to White Hart Lane for the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Benfica travel to London having won 21 of their previous 23 matches in all competitions.

"These are two huge games against a massive club. There is history and tradition on both sides and we're all looking forward to it," Sherwood told the club's official website.

"Benfica are clear in the Portuguese title race, they are fluid in their play from back to front and we'll show them respect."

Spurs edged past Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the last round, while Benfica defeated PAOK.