Everything is very, very bad for Tottenham Hotspur right now, but the opportunities are still on the table. For Ange Postecoglou to save this season — and maybe his job — silverware is looking like a necessity, or some deep runs in cup competitions at the very least. A trophy may feel overly hopeful, but supporters need something to grasp onto as the season drags on.
Spurs are still in decent position in the Europa League despite zero wins in their past three League Phase fixtures. Wins against Hoffenheim on Thursday and Elfsborg next week are likely requirements for a bye into Round of 16. Dropped points could still see them advance to the knockout stage, but continued failure against struggling opposition would undoubtedly intensify the ever-growing frustration.
Hoffenheim (27th, 6pts) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (t-8th, 11pts)
Date: Thursday, January 23
Time: 12:45 pm ET, 5:45 pm UK
Location: PreZero Arena, Sinsheim, Germany
TV: Paramount+ (USA), TNT Sports 2 (UK)
Hoffenheim finds itself in even worse form than Tottenham. Sitting just three points above the Bundesliga relegation zone, Saturday’s win over 17th-place Holstein Kiel was its first victory in seven league matches and only the second in the last 11 outings. The Europa League has not been any more promising, with one win in six matches and just two goals scored in the last four matchweeks, putting the German side outside the top 24 heading into Thursday.
These sides have never met in a competitive fixture, though Tottenham has plenty of experience against Bundesliga opposition. Spurs took four points off Eintracht Frankfurt in last season’s Champions League group stage but were dreadful in the 2019/20 campaign against both Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. Hoffenheim’s European history is limited, but they have faced Liverpool and Manchester City in recent years, losing all four matches.
Pillow fight of attrition
Both teams come into this match hampered by significant injury lists. Spurs’ absences are well-documented, with key players unavailable across all areas of the pitch and the absentees growing by the day. To compound matters, Antonin Kinsky is ineligible for Europa League selection, as are Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon, leaving Postecoglou with even fewer options. Hoffenheim is also missing several regulars, though it does not seem to take much quality to trouble Tottenham right now.
Hoffenheim’s attack has struggled to score, ranking 13th in the Bundesliga this season and sitting among the bottom 10 in the Europa League. While Spurs’ defense full of backups remains a concern, this is where the match could be decided. Hoffenheim had plenty of success on the ball and attacking the net last season (sixth in the Bundesliga) but has completely fallen off this year. However, if Dr. Tottenham appears once again, the visitors are going to be in trouble.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s ability to generate scoring opportunities feels marginally more reliable. Hoffenheim’s defensive record in Europe has been better than domestically, but three of its last four European opponents have scored multiple goals. Even with all the injuries — now including Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson — Spurs should get some chances, especially against a side likely to play openly at home. With mounting failures and increased pressure on the cups, anything other than three points will not be received well.
