Tottenham’s exit from the Champions League earlier in the season means they will participate in the Europa League in the second half of the campaign, starting against Gent this evening (6pm kick-off).

Mauricio Pochettino’s men won just two of their six group stage matches, but their victory over CSKA Moscow in their final match secured them third place in their group, and thus a spot in Europe’s secondary competition.

And that’s where they’ll pick their European adventure up this evening when they travel to Belgium outfit Gent, who are currently eighth in the Belgian top-flight having won 11 of their 26 league games this term.

They lost their last league match 1-0 away at the side fourth from bottom on Saturday, so Spurs will be pretty confident of going there and getting a result this evening.

Pochettino’s men suffered a third Premier League defeat of the campaign at Liverpool on Saturday, so tonight provides the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways ahead of a few potentially season-defining weeks.

Thus, here are THREE reasons why Tottenham will get the victory in Gent 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.

Chance to state intent in competition

Like Manchester United, Tottenham have one of the strongest squads left in the Europa League, and have a genuine chance of winning it.

Pochettino’s men were meekly knocked out of the Champions League earlier in the season, but looking at the sides left in Europe’s secondary competition, there aren’t many, if any, that Spurs should fear.

On their day, Spurs can beat any side in England, and many sides around Europe, and they’ll have a real chance of stating some intent by going to Gent and putting in a commanding performance, and securing a commanding result.

Tottenham need silverware, their last trophy came when they won the League Cup nine years ago, and the Europa League represents a great chance to add another trophy to the cabinet.

The prospect of guaranteed qualification for next season’s Champions League, which is far from a done deal in terms of the Premier League, for the winners should be an added incentive for Spurs to go all-out and win the competition.

Need a response

Thursday night represents the perfect opportunity for Spurs to respond to both their defeat at Liverpool last weekend, and indeed their disastrous Champions League campaign earlier in the season.

Pochettino’s men won only two of their six Group E matches, and twice lost at Wembley, but it wasn’t just the results that frustrated Spurs fans, it was the nature of their side’s performances.

It wasn’t the same Tottenham who fired their way to third place in the league last season, and indeed made a good start to this season’s Premier League campaign – they lacked energy and urgency, and even defended in unusually shoddy fashion.

And it was that type of performance we also saw at Anfield last weekend, where two Sadio Mane goals were more than enough to see off Pochettino’s side on Saturday, in a Spurs performance lacking drive and attacking flair.

Nonetheless, the best response would be to win tonight, not only to put the lingering European demons to bed, but also to get back on track ahead of a tricky few weeks in both European and domestic competition.