Shamrock Rovers - Tottenham Preview: With qualification out of their hands, Harry Redknapp's team must win to keep hopes alive

Probable line-ups:

Shamrock Rovers (4-5-1): Thompson; Sullivan, Oman, Murray, Stevens; Dennehy, O’Donnell, Turner, Rice, Paterson; Sheppard.

Tottenham (4-4-2): Cudicini; Corluka, Kaboul, Bassong, Townsend; Falque, Livermore, Sandro, Giovani; Defoe, Pavlyuchenko.

Younes Kaboul is likely to continue at centre-back as he will miss Sunday’s Premier League match against Sunderland through suspension, giving Harry Redknapp an opportunity to rest either William Gallas or Sebastian Bassong. Andros Townsend started at left-back against Rubin Kazan and with Danny Rose injured he could fill that spot again.

Changes can be expected in midfield as Spurs prepare for three matches in the next seven days. Jake Livermore has featured fairly regularly in the Europa League so far and could be partnered with Sandro in the centre of the park. The Brazilian was an unused substitute against Stoke City at the weekend.

The home side should be well-prepared for the game having not played since the end of November, with the domestic season in the Republic of Ireland already having reached its conclusion.

Did you know?

Having suffered five losses in Group A so far, this will be Shamrock Rovers’ final match of the season. The League of Ireland season ended back in October, with the Dublin side crowned league champions.

Manager Michael O’Neill will take charge of the Hoops for the final time on Thursday evening. The 42-year old is out of contract at the end of the month and is in the frame for the Northern Ireland job.

Also out of contract is striker Karl Sheppard, who has impressed during Rovers’ Europa League campaign this season. He has been linked with a host of English clubs including Sunderland.

Former Tottenham midfielder Rohan Ricketts is currently under contract with Rovers, although he is unlikely to feature in the starting line-up for this fixture.

21-year old Shamrock defender Enda Stevens could find himself facing Spurs more often in the future. The Irish left-back has agreed to join Aston Villa and will link-up with Alex McLeish’s side in January.

Following their loss at home to PAOK, Spurs will need the Greek side to beat Rubin Kazan to have a hope of progressing. Harry Redknapp’s team trail Rubin by three points and will also have to overturn a five-goal deficit in the goal difference column.

Spurs find themselves on the verge of being knocked out having also lost to Rubin in Russia, while they only drew with PAOK away from home in Greece.

Redknapp has put his faith in some of his younger players during the competition this season. The key trio of Rafael Van Der Vaart, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale has been restricted to only one start each in the tournament.

Goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko, Jermain Defoe and Giovani Dos Santos sealed a 3-1 victory for Spurs when the two sides previously met at White Hart Lane. Stephen Rice had opened the scoring.

Spurs have conceded just one goal in their three Europa League away matches against Hearts, PAOK and Rubin Kazan so far. Bibras Natcho’s solitary strike was enough to hand the Russians victory in November.

Players to Watch:

Karl Sheppard – The highly touted 20-year old seems to be set for a move to England upon the expiry of his contract at the end of December. This match is the perfect opportunity for the Irishman, who recently won his first under-21 cap for the national team, to put himself in the shop window.

Sheppard will likely face the considerable task of taking on the Spurs back four as a lone striker, a role that didn’t stop him from bagging his first goal in the group stage against PAOK in Greece.

Giovani Dos Santos – The talented midfielder is still finding his opportunities in the Premier League restricted but nevertheless, this season can be seen as a step forward for the Mexican. Still only 22 years old, Giovani has made eight appearances in all competitions during the current campaign.

Although he has spent time out on loan that means he has already matched the total of eight outings he has made for Spurs in the previous two seasons. Giovani’s long-term future at Spurs is in doubt and with the January transfer window approaching, he will be keen to take any opportunity to impress potential suitors.

Prediction:

Shamrock Rovers 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Redknapp should have a strong spine fresh and available for selection here, which will be enough to seal the points. Spurs will be aware of the need not to let up on their hosts, however, as they look to close the goal difference gap betwe

Probable line-ups:

Shamrock Rovers (4-5-1): Thompson; Sullivan, Oman, Murray, Stevens; Dennehy, O’Donnell, Turner, Rice, Paterson; Sheppard.

Tottenham (4-4-2): Cudicini; Corluka, Kaboul, Bassong, Townsend; Falque, Livermore, Sandro, Giovani; Defoe, Pavlyuchenko.

Younes Kaboul is likely to continue at centre-back as he will miss Sunday’s Premier League match against Sunderland through suspension, giving Harry Redknapp an opportunity to rest either William Gallas or Sebastian Bassong. Andros Townsend started at left-back against Rubin Kazan and with Danny Rose injured he could fill that spot again.

Changes can be expected in midfield as Spurs prepare for three matches in the next seven days. Jake Livermore has featured fairly regularly in the Europa League so far and could be partnered with Sandro in the centre of the park. The Brazilian was an unused substitute against Stoke City at the weekend.

The home side should be well-prepared for the game having not played since the end of November, with the domestic season in the Republic of Ireland already having reached its conclusion.

Did you know?

Having suffered five losses in Group A so far, this will be Shamrock Rovers’ final match of the season. The League of Ireland season ended back in October, with the Dublin side crowned league champions.

Manager Michael O’Neill will take charge of the Hoops for the final time on Thursday evening. The 42-year old is out of contract at the end of the month and is in the frame for the Northern Ireland job.

Also out of contract is striker Karl Sheppard, who has impressed during Rovers’ Europa League campaign this season. He has been linked with a host of English clubs including Sunderland.

Former Tottenham midfielder Rohan Ricketts is currently under contract with Rovers, although he is unlikely to feature in the starting line-up for this fixture.

21-year old Shamrock defender Enda Stevens could find himself facing Spurs more often in the future. The Irish left-back has agreed to join Aston Villa and will link-up with Alex McLeish’s side in January.

Following their loss at home to PAOK, Spurs will need the Greek side to beat Rubin Kazan to have a hope of progressing. Harry Redknapp’s team trail Rubin by three points and will also have to overturn a five-goal deficit in the goal difference column.

Spurs find themselves on the verge of being knocked out having also lost to Rubin in Russia, while they only drew with PAOK away from home in Greece.

Redknapp has put his faith in some of his younger players during the competition this season. The key trio of Rafael Van Der Vaart, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale has been restricted to only one start each in the tournament.

Goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko, Jermain Defoe and Giovani Dos Santos sealed a 3-1 victory for Spurs when the two sides previously met at White Hart Lane. Stephen Rice had opened the scoring.

Spurs have conceded just one goal in their three Europa League away matches against Hearts, PAOK and Rubin Kazan so far. Bibras Natcho’s solitary strike was enough to hand the Russians victory in November.

Players to Watch:

Karl Sheppard – The highly touted 20-year old seems to be set for a move to England upon the expiry of his contract at the end of December. This match is the perfect opportunity for the Irishman, who recently won his first under-21 cap for the national team, to put himself in the shop window.

Sheppard will likely face the considerable task of taking on the Spurs back four as a lone striker, a role that didn’t stop him from bagging his first goal in the group stage against PAOK in Greece.

Giovani Dos Santos – The talented midfielder is still finding his opportunities in the Premier League restricted but nevertheless, this season can be seen as a step forward for the Mexican. Still only 22 years old, Giovani has made eight appearances in all competitions during the current campaign.

Although he has spent time out on loan that means he has already matched the total of eight outings he has made for Spurs in the previous two seasons. Giovani’s long-term future at Spurs is in doubt and with the January transfer window approaching, he will be keen to take any opportunity to impress potential suitors.

Prediction:

Shamrock Rovers 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Redknapp should have a strong spine fresh and available for selection here, which will be enough to seal the points. Spurs will be aware of the need not to let up on their hosts, however, as they look to close the goal difference gap between themselves and second place rivals Rubin Kazan.

en themselves and second place rivals Rubin Kazan