Tottenham Hotspur welcome German team Eintracht Frankfurt to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie — a match that could prove pivotal for both clubs.
Under-pressure boss Ange Postecoglou is clinging to European ambitions as Spurs continue to falter in the Premier League, where they sit a disappointing 14th with just 37 points from 31 matches. Domestically, their form has collapsed, with only one win from their last five league fixtures. But in Europe, there remains a glimmer of hope.
Spurs have looked a different side in continental action this season, navigating their way to the last eight with six wins and two draws from ten matches. They overturned a first-leg deficit against AZ Alkmaar in the previous round, sealing a convincing 3-1 win at home to secure progression.
Now, they face a formidable Frankfurt side that has maintained consistency despite losing key man Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in the January window. The Bundesliga outfit currently sit third in their league and are deep in a competitive race for next season’s Champions League qualification.
Tottenham boast an impressive European home record, losing just once in their last 19 games on home soil across UEFA competitions, with 15 wins in that stretch according to Livescore.com. In the Europa League, they’ve won 10 and drawn two of their last 12 home matches — making North London a tough hunting ground for any visitor.
Frankfurt, though, arrive with confidence. They’ve lost only two of their last 23 Europa League matches with 14 victories & 7 draws, and have found the net in nine of their ten European games this campaign. They’ve also scored in four of their five away games in the tournament, collecting three wins along the way.
Historically, these sides have only clashed twice before — in the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage — with Tottenham grabbing a win and a draw in those encounters.
Tottenham Injuries: Richarlison, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie
Eintracht Frankfurt Injuries: Timothy Chandler, Elye Wahi, Kevin Trapp, Ansgar Knauff, Can Uzun, Krisztian Lisztes, Junior Ebimbe
While Spurs are enduring a rocky domestic campaign and may finish outside the top 10 for the first time in nearly two decades, they’ve shown more discipline and drive on the European stage.
Frankfurt, meanwhile, have defied expectations after losing their top scorer and augarbly their best player this season, Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in the previous winder transfer window. Their blend of discipline, attacking intent, and a strong away record makes them a dangerous opponent.
With both sides desperate to keep their European dreams alive, this promises to be a tightly contested fixture. Given both teams’ tendency to find the net, fans can expect another high-octane encounter in North London — one that may leave the tie delicately poised heading into the return leg in Germany.
