Match Preview :

Tottenham Hotspur travelled to Rusia without Manager Harry Redknapp after the boss had to undergo minor heart surgery yesterday. Now the team will aim to beat Rubin and give him the perfect get well present and qualify for the knockout stage of the Europa League.

Therefore in the absence of Redknapp, Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan will take charge of tonight's game as Spurs look to complete back-to-back wins over Rubin and advance to the last 32. Tottenham started off with a goalless draw with PARK Salonika but that was soon followed by home wins over Shamrock Rovers and Rubin and have often mix and match their side in Europe this season.

Rubin have a very impressive home record, having lost just once in their last 14 European matches, although the majority of those games have finished as draws. It has to be said that a point would keep Rubin in the hunt for qualification to the last 32 and they will look to build on a 2-2 draw with PAOK in their previous home match in the group.

Team News :

The likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker have not featured in the competition, Luka Modric has made just one substitute's appearance and Rafael van der Vaart was not registered for the group phase.

However, Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is expected to start again after scoring the only goal two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Jermain Defoe is likely to play alongside Pavlyuchenko, while Hereulho Gomes and Sebastien Bassong are other senior names who should be involved.

Spurs have also received a boost with Steven Pienaar and William Gallas both in line to make their first starts of the season after being passed fit. Midfielder Pienaar has been out with a groin problem and defender Gallas, who was on the bench for Sunday's victory over Queens Park Rangers was out with a calf injury but is now fit.

Academy trainees Jack Bartham and Kevin Stewart have travelled to Russia, but Giovani Dos Santos misses out due to a calf injury. But the likes of Vedran Corluka, Niko Kranjcar, Danny Rose, Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson are all absent due to injuries.

For Rubin, Former Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins could face his old team-mate Bassong, while ex-Spurs forward Sergei Rebrov ended his career at Rubin.

Predictions :

Take Tottenham not to lose and accept the 1/2 ball.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

Rubin 1-1 Tottenham

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Go for the draw here.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main Bet:
Take Tottenham +1/2 AH