3 reasons why Tottenham will beat Gent in the Europa League this evening

Second string will have something to prove

Pochettino has never been the biggest fan of the Europa League, so he would have been reasonably satisfied to see Belgian’s eighth best team come out of the hat to face Spurs in the last 16.

And it’s likely that the 44-year-old will make several changes to his side in Gent, especially with Tottenham still battling in the FA Cup and near the top of the Premier League.

However, while making wholesale changes can be disruptive to the team, it gives those players who don’t always get into the side a real chance to piling pressure on the regular first teamers.

On many occasions, it actually brings the best out of them, so even if Spurs aren’t at full strength in Gent on Thursday, expect a good performance from players trying to force their way in Pochettino’s first team plans.