It’s all to play for in Germany as Tottenham Hotspur travel into the lion’s den at Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday night, with a place in the Europa League semi-finals hanging in the balance.
After a tense 1-1 draw in North London, the tie remains on a knife’s edge — and now, under the roar of the Frankfurt faithful, the real battle begins.
Eintracht Frankfurt have made this stage their fortress, winning 4 of their last 5 Europa League games at home and thriving under the spotlight of European nights. With 7 wins from 11 in the competition so far, they’ll be hungry to finish what they started — and punish any hesitation from Spurs.
But Ange Postecoglou’s side have shown grit this season. They know what’s at stake. They have the weapons to strike, the firepower to silence the crowd, and the hunger to go all the way.
It’s knockout football at its best.
Eintracht Frankfurt have been a real force in this season’s Europa League campaign, proving that their continental pedigree is no fluke. Automatically booking their spot in the last 16 after a strong group-stage showing — five wins, one draw, and just two defeats — the German outfit have looked like a side with serious intent.
When drawn against former European champions Ajax, many tipped them to struggle. But Frankfurt tore up the script, storming to a stunning 6-2 aggregate win and sending a message to the rest of the competition. They even struck first blood against Spurs in the first leg — a reminder that they won’t be pushed around, even against Premier League opposition.
Boosted by the return of Can Uzun and Elye Wahi to their forward line, Oliver Glasner’s men will be missing key winger Ansgar Knauff, who remains sidelined with a knee injury — a blow for their width and counter-attacking threat.
Still, the standout figure from the first leg, goalkeeper Santos, will be trusted to guard the posts once more with Kevin Trapp still nursing a shin issue. With backup Jens Grahl ineligible and Oscar Hojlund also unavailable for Europe, Frankfurt's options are slightly stretched — but don’t expect them to back down.
It’s time to see if they can finish the job.
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT predicted lineup vs TOTTENHAM: Kaua Santos (GK); Kristensen, Koch, Theate, Brown; Shkiri, Tuta, Larsson; Gotze, Ekitike, Bahoya.
Tottenham Hotspur enter this crunch clash with everything to play for — and nothing to fall back on. Spurs carved a similar path through the early stages: five wins, two draws, and a single slip-up. But their route to the quarter-finals was anything but smooth. After a shock 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the last 16, Ange Postecoglou’s side roared back in North London with a commanding 3-1 win to keep their European dream alive.
Now, the pressure’s on. With their domestic form stuttering and Champions League qualification slipping away in the Premier League, this competition has become their lifeline. Postecoglou knows it. The players know it. And that sense of urgency could be the fuel they need in the cauldron of Deutsche Bank Park.
There are concerns, though. Captain Son Heung-min — on the brink of breaking the club record for European appearances — remains a doubt with a foot injury that kept him out against Wolves. Postecoglou is optimistic, but the South Korean's availability could be decisive.
Wilson Odobert was rested at the weekend to ensure he's fresh for this one, while the likes of Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie, and Micky van de Ven also started on the bench — a clear sign that Thursday’s showdown has taken top billing.
The return of Dejan Kulusevski adds another weapon to Tottenham’s frontline, especially vital if Son doesn’t make it. However, the backline remains depleted, with Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin both ruled out.
Tottenham have the quality. They’ve got the motivation. But under the lights in Frankfurt, they’ll need to show steel — and maybe a touch of magic — if they’re to keep their European hopes alive.
TOTTENHAM predicted lineup vs EINTRACHT FRANKFURT: Vicario (GK); Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son.
Crowned champions in 2022, semi-finalists in 2019, and now once again knocking on the door of the final four. With a strong home record, a seasoned European core, and real momentum behind them, it’s no surprise they head into this decisive second leg as favourites.
Spurs, meanwhile, find themselves on the ropes. Their away form has been dismal — both in Europe and on the domestic front — and the first leg offered a golden chance to seize the initiative, only for it to slip through their fingers. Now, in the hostile atmosphere of Deutsche Bank Park, they're staring down the barrel.
For Ange Postecoglou, this could be a make-or-break night. Tottenham’s season — and perhaps his immediate future at the helm — may hang in the balance.
Frankfurt smell blood. Spurs are wounded. Drama is guaranteed.
Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt wins.
