NK Maribor v Tottenham: Easy ride for Spurs in Slovenia

Maribor suffered defeats both home and away to Championship side Birmingham City in last seasons’ Europa League so it’s difficult to envisage this trip being too problematic for Spurs, should they field a strong side.

They’re 8/11 to win the game which could prove a very good price. Andre Villas Boas is taking this competition with a greater degree of severity than his predecessor did and, with the likes of Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson and Clint Dempsey on the pitch, the Slovenian champions will not be able to cope.

Star-men Gareth Bale and Moussa Dembele are missing for the visitors, yet a solid defensive unit will be able to stem the flow of 13 goals scored in Maribor’s last five home games, while they will have the pace and creativity to end their run of as many clean sheets in front of their own fans.

Domestically, Spurs have scored three goals in their last three away matches and the 5/2 that says they’ll score over 2.5 goals in this one represents great value.

They’ve also scored three of their last four away goals in the first half of games. Getting out of the blocks quickly could see them kill the game off before half time and the 9/4 on offer for the first half to produce the most Spurs goals is worth getting involved with for this reason.

Given the gulf in quality between these two sides Maribor’s strong home form is worth discarding; the most tempting price in this match is the Tottenham win with a handicap of two goals applied, while the one-goal handicap win is almost nailed on, making the 2/1 available very difficult to refuse.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date