Europa League - Shamrock Rovers v Tottenham Odds and Betting Preview

DUBLIN, IRELAND

Shamrock Rovers host Tottenham tonight in what will be a key fixture in determining who will progress from Group A of the Europa League. Even a victory may not be enough for the London club to progress, depending on whether Rubin Kazan can get any points against PAOK Salonika. If Kazan do lose to their Greek opponents Tottenham will still have to overturn a five goal deficit in the goal difference. The visitors are clear favourites to win the match at odds of 4/9 with Coral. The next most likely result is a stalemate, priced up at 7/2 with Victor Chandler, and a win for the Rovers is given at 7/1 with bet365.

Tottenham have been less than convincing in Europe so far this season only taking seven points from their five group stage games. Boss Harry Redknapp has left stars such as Luka Modric, Scott Parker and Emanuel Adebayor at home despite this tie being crucial for staying in the Europa League, and creative maestro Rafael van der Vaart wasn’t registered for the group phase. Only Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul keep their place after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Sunderland on the weekend.

Tonight’s game marks the end of a legacy for Shamrock Rovers as it will be manager Michael O’Neill’s last game in charge after contract talks with the club broke down. O’Neill has led the side to two domestic titles and will always be remembered fondly at the Tallaght Stadium. His influence on Irish football is hardly expected to be over however as he has an interview regarding the Northern Ireland coaching vacancy to look forward to. There is no doubt the Irishman will be hoping to end on a high after a disappointing stint in Europe where they have yet to claim a single point so far.

Spurs have to improve their goal difference if they want to qualify for the next round and with this in mind goals should be expected. The odds on over five goals in the game are given at 6/1 with bet 365. At the other end of the spectrum an anticlimactic 0-0 draw is priced up at 10/1 with William Hill. The favourite scoreline is 2-0 to Tottenham given at 13/2 with bet365. For fans of the north London club who think that they can achieve the minor miracle of qualification, scores such as 3-0 and 4-0 will be needed and these are priced up at 9/1 and 18/1 respectively, both with Coral.

Jermaine Defoe is favourite to break the deadlock tonight at 7/2 with StanJames.com and close behind him is Welshman Gareth Bale at9/2 with Boylesports. Home fans will be looking to prolific striker Gary Twigg to put one past Gomes and he is given odds of 10/1 with bet365 to score first. The Scot has been on good form and has become a Rovers legend with 48 goals in 69 games for the club. Odds on the 27 year old to reach his 50 goal landmark are 20/1 with bet365 and that would definitely be a great send off for his gaffa.

The game kicks off at 18.00 tonight.

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