The battle for a spot in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 continues as Tottenham Hotspur host Swedish side IF Elfsborg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday, January 30, 2025. Africa Football editor Allan Damba looks into the upcoming match.
Match Overview
This match concludes the new Europa League group stage format. Tottenham aim to secure a top-eight spot to guarantee automatic qualification for the Round of 16. They currently sit sixth in the standings with 14 points from seven games.
Elfsborg, meanwhile, cannot make the top eight but are fighting for a place in the playoffs. They are 20th in the 36-team table with 10 points after seven matches.
In their most recent Europa League fixtures, Tottenham edged TSG Hoffenheim 3-2, with Heung-Min Son scoring twice and James Maddison adding another. Elfsborg pulled off a surprise 1-0 win over OGC Nice, thanks to a goal from Gustav Henriksson.
Tottenham Recent Form Analysis
Tottenham have struggled for consistency, suffering three defeats in their last five matches across all competitions, with two wins and no draws. They scored 10 goals and conceded nine in this stretch. Most recently, they lost 2-1 to Leicester City in the Premier League.
Last Five Games: 2 wins, 3 losses
Latest Result: Tottenham 1-2 Leicester City
Elfsborg Recent Form Analysis
Elfsborg have been more balanced, with three wins and two losses in their last five games across all competitions. They scored seven goals and conceded six during this period. Last week, they secured a 1-0 victory over OGC Nice in the Europa League.
Last Five Games: 3 wins, 2 losses
Latest Result: Elfsborg 1-0 Nice
Head-to-Head
Tottenham and Elfsborg have never faced each other in a competitive match, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter.
Our Prediction for Tottenham vs Elfsborg
Despite their inconsistent domestic form, Tottenham have performed better in the Europa League and are expected to continue their strong run against a less-fancied Elfsborg. The home side’s superior squad quality and experience should see them prevail comfortably.
Prediction: Tottenham to win
Betting Tips:
Home Win: Odds of 1.17 on 1xbet
Over 2.5 Goals: Odds of 1.34 on 1xbet
Player to Watch
Yves Bissouma: The Mali international is set to return after missing Tottenham’s defeat to Leicester. Known for his defensive midfield strength, Bissouma has made 22 appearances this season, contributing two goals. His presence could be vital in controlling the game and breaking up Elfsborg’s counterattacks.
Best Odds and Betting Tips
For this match, consider the following betting options:
Home Win: Odds of 1.17 on 1xbet
Over 2.5 Goals: Odds of 1.34 on 1xbet
