Tottenham Hotspur vs Eintracht Frankfurt: Preview & Team News

Ange Postecoglou’s managerial tenure at Tottenham Hotspur comes down to beating Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Despite easing past Premier League basement boys Southampton last weekend, Spurs can’t avoid their first league finish since 2008.

They’ve finished eighth or better ever since, but this season, they must settle for a gut-wrenching place in the lower reaches.

However, Postecoglou can still make good on his pre-season promise and win a piece of silverware in his second season in charge of the Lilywhites.

‘All or Nothing’

Postecoglou’s career in North London has reached a ‘make or break’ point.

Despite hitting back at a ‘negative agenda’ around Tottenham in the build-up to this fixture (via Daily Mail), Postecoglou needs results on the field to save his job.

With European qualification through a league finish already a pipe dream, Spurs must go all the way in Europe’s second-tier competition to feature in continental action next term.

Achieving that feat would also see the London outfit arrest an embarrassing 17-year title drought and give the devastated home faithful something to cheer about.

The omens look good for Spurs after they overhauled a first-leg deficit to beat AZ Alkmaar in their round-of-16 tie, courtesy of a dominant 3-1 win on this ground.

Promising signs

As aforementioned, Postecoglou’s future in the dugout depends on earning Champions League qualification through what would be Spurs’ first UEFA Cup/Europa League triumph since 1984.

Confidence comes from Tottenham’s formidable European form on home soil, as they’ve not lost a continental fixture in North London since the start of the 2020/21 season (W15, D3).

Except for a stomach-wrenching 2-2 draw against Roma on matchday five, they have won all four remaining home matches in this season’s Europa League, including three without conceding.

In addition to their decent defensive record, Postecoglou’s charges have been firing on all cylinders, netting at least two goals in 70% of their European outings in 2024/25.

Replicating that feat would likely earn them an all-important first-leg advantage against a Frankfurt side they defeated 3-2 in their only previous home meeting in October 2022.

Tricky Opponent

Tottenham would be naive to take Die Adler lightly, even though standout forward Omar Marmoush left the club midway through the campaign to join Manchester City.

Marmoush’s exit left ex-Paris Saint-Germain forward Hugo Ekitike as Frankfurt’s most intimidating attacking threat, with the Frenchman enjoying the form of his life.

Closely followed by several top European clubs, Ekitike has tallied 19 goals and eight assists in 40 appearances this season, racking up six goal contributions in ten Europa League games (G3, A3).

Dino Toppmoller’s side made Marmoush’s departure go unnoticed in the previous knockout tie by beating runaway Eredivisie leaders Ajax in both legs.

Indeed, they defied their pre-match underdog status in Amsterdam en route to a 2-1 win, highlighting their tactical discipline, resilience and growing confidence on the European stage.

However, the German visitors have blown hot and cold recently, alternating between winning and losing across their last four competitive matches (W2, L2).

Team News

Spurs will miss several players through injuries, with Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso still on the sidelines with various fitness problems.

However, Micky van de Ven’s return to the fold can put the smile back on Postecoglou’s face, with the Dutchman available for selection after a lengthy spell in the treatment room.

Per football.london, Postecoglou still contemplates his attacking options as Brennan Johnson fights Wilson Odobert for a place in the starting line-up after netting a brace against Southampton.

How Could Tottenham Line Up?

(4-3-3): Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Maddison, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, Son.