Besiktas vs Spurs - Mauricio's preview

Mauricio Pochettino is determined to land top spot in Group C of the Europa League when we face Besiktas this evening (Thursday, December 11).

We go head-to-head with the Turkish Supa Liga leaders for first place in the final group fixture at the Ataturk Oympic Stadium. Kick-off is 6pm UK time (8pm local).

Both teams are unbeaten but we top the group going into the finale and a draw will see us through to the knockout stages as group winners.

In fact, both teams are guaranteed a place in the competition’s last 32, but Mauricio stated: “This is not a friendly.

“We play for first place in the group and this is important because there is a good benefit to finishing first, you have the chance to play away in the first leg in the knockout stage.”

Kyle Walker is back from injury, Federico Fazio is available after suspension and Mauricio has kept Jan Vertonghen, Ryan Mason, Harry Kane, Nabil Bentaleb, Christian Eriksen and Kyle Naughton back at Hotspur Way.

Mauricio added: “It’s important for us to play well, to finish top and after that, it’s also an opportunity for players who haven’t played in the last couple of matches to show their quality.

“We expect a very difficult game because Besiktas is a strong team. It was difficult at Tottenham but now we are ready to compete and we want to get a victory to be at the top of the table.”