Preview: Royal Antwerp vs. Tottenham Hotspur - prediction, team news, lineups

Tottenham Hotspur continue their Europa League campaign on Thursday evening with a fixture against Royal Antwerp in Belgium.

Both of these sides started life in Group J by recording maximum points, seeing off LASK Linz and Ludogorets Razgrad respectively.

Match preview

Having needed to win three qualifying fixtures in order to reach the group stages, Spurs have had a hectic start to their first full season under Jose Mourinho.

Nevertheless, that has not prevented the Portuguese from naming strong starting lineups in this competition, helped with the recent arrivals of Gareth Bale and Carlos Vinicius.

Although they are still waiting for regular opportunities in the Premier League, the pair made an impact on their first starts against LASK Linz last Thursday, highlighting the strength in depth which Mourinho now has at the North London outfit.

Like with the majority of clubs in this competition, domestic action will take priority, but Mourinho will be grateful that he can hand game time to several high-profile players who need regular outings.

Spurs also head into the encounter in Belgium looking to extend their unbeaten record in all competitions to 11 matches.

However, they square off against opponents in Antwerp who have put together a similar streak, recording six wins and a draw from their most recent seven fixtures.

While Ivan Leko's men have scored at least two goals in each of those encounters, they have failed to keep a clean sheet on every occasion.

That has not stopped Antwerp from sitting at the top of the domestic standings, but conceding 14 goals in 10 league fixtures will only provide Spurs with the encouragement to attack on Thursday evening.

Remarkably, no player has netted more than four goals in the league this season with former Norwich City and Hull City forward Dieumerci Mbokani sitting at the top of the scoring charts.

Royal Antwerp Europa League form: W Royal Antwerp form (all competitions): DWWWWW

Tottenham Hotspur Europa League form: WWWW Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions): WWWDWW

Team News

Bale and Vinicius will almost certainly start in attack for Spurs, likely being joined by Erik Lamela.

Of the players who started the fixture with Burnley on Monday evening, Ben Davies and Moussa Sissoko may be the only players who keep their place in the side.

Although Dele Alli did not feature in the 18-man squad at Turf Moor, the England international is in line to feature among the substitutes.

Leko is unlikely to make major alterations to the side which edged out Beerschot at the weekend.

Former Manchester United and Leicester City defender Ritchie De Laet should feature in a three-man backline, while Aurelio Buta could come into the side at wing-back.

Royal Antwerp possible starting lineup: Butez; Seck, Gelin, De Laet; Buta, Haroun, Hongla, Juklerod; Gerkens, Mbokani, Refaelov

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Hart; Aurier, Sanchez, Davies, Reguilon; Sissoko, Winks; Lamela, Lo Celso, Bale; Vinicius

We say: Royal Antwerp 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur

Even though Mourinho will ring the changes for this fixture, we do not expect Antwerp to cause a surprise. Bale and co have much to prove to their manager, and the Premier League outfit should cruise to victory on Thursday evening.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data