Spurs' sole previous encounter with Swedish opposition saw them beaten 2-1 by Östers IF in the Intertoto Cup back in 1995, a match played at the Goldstone Ground in Brighton, while Elfsborg will face an English club for the very first time.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg Preview
Tottenham Hotspur are in a great position in the Europa League, but fair to say the mood in N17 ahead of this tie will not be a celebratory one. At the weekend, despite taking the lead through Richarlison's header, Spurs were beaten yet again in the Premier League, this time catastrophically defeated 2-1 at home by a Leicester side who were in the bottom three, having lost seven successive matches. As a result, Ange Postecoglou's men have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games, losing four on the spin and yielding a solitary point from their last seven outings, hence why they're down in 15th, a mere eight points clear of the drop zone. For now, Postecoglou does remain in situ, but this game will be played in front of a mutinous atmosphere, with most of the anger directed at ENIC and Daniel Levy.
Despite all of that, Spurs are actually on course to reach the Europa League round of 16, currently sixth in the table, following last Thursday's 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim; Son Heung-min the scorer of a brace at Rhein-Neckar-Arena. This took Tottenham's points tally to 14, knowing only a victory here will make sure of a top eight finish. Well, considering Spurs are unbeaten in 18 Europa League home group games, dating back to 2011, you'd think there will only be one outcome, but you just never know with Postecoglou's team right now.
As for Elfsborg, this season is just the third time they've qualified for a UEFA group phase, perviously doing so in 2007 and 2013, having come through four rounds of qualifying in the summer, the first of which was played on 11 July, three days before the final of the Euros. Thus, this'll be the Yellow Ones' 16th European match of the season already, determined to ensure their adventure will not end here, currently 20th in the table, just two points clear of the all-important dotted line, but in danger of elimination should they suffer defeat in North London.
Oscar Hiljemark's side massively enhanced their qualification changes by beating Nice 1-0 a week ago, Gustav Henriksson the only scorer at Borås Arena, having also defeated Qarabağ and, most-notably, Roma at home, albeit they've lost all three away matches so far, beaten by AZ, Galatasaray and Athletic Club on the road. Having finished seventh in last year's Allsvenskan, Elfsborg will not be in Europe next season, unless they manage to win the Svenska Cupen, and with the new Swedish season not starting again until 30 March, they have not played a league fixture since 10 November, so will they prove well-rested or rusty? Thus, can Elfsborg reach the knockout phase of a UEFA competition for the very first time, adding to Tottenham's misery?
Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg Head-to-Head Record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News
James Maddison missed the weekend defeat with a slight knock, joining Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke in the ever-expanding treatment room. Meantime, January signings Antonín Kinský and Yang Min-hyeok as well as defenders Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilón are not in the UEFA squad. Kinský's absence means Brandon Austin will be donning the gloves, as he did against Hoffenheim, while Yves Bissouma was an unused substitute on Sunday, hoping to feature for the first time in a fortnight. Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kuluševski would all miss the first leg of a knockout tie if booked.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup vs Elfsborg: (4-2-3-1): Austin; Porro, Drăgușin, Davies, Gray; Bissouma, Bentancur, Bergvall, Kuluševski, Son Heung-min; Richarlison.
Tottenham Hotspur Player to Watch vs Elfsborg
Dejan Kuluševski scored his fourth and fifth goals for Sweden back in November so, set to face Swedish opposition, can Spurs' best player this season add to his nine goals for the campaign.
Elfsborg Team News
Oscar Hiljemark isn't expected to change too much from last Thursday's crucial win over Nice. Key midfielder Michael Baidoo, who'd featured in all 14 European matches before last week, joined Plymouth Argyle for £1 million earlier this month, underlining Elfsborg's minnow status. Goalkeeper Isak Pettersson as well as defenders Sebastian Holmén, Terry Yegbe, Niklas Hult and Simon Hedlund have all been near ever-presents during their Europa League adventure that began in early-July with victory over Pafos. However, Hult, Yegbe and Hedlund are all one booking away from a ban, if there is indeed a knockout tie to be suspended for.
Elfsborg predicted lineup vs Tottenham Hotspur: (3-4-3): Pettersson; Yegbe, Henriksson, Holmén; Hedlund, Qāsem, Zeneli, Hult; Zeneli, Rapp, Abdulai.
Elfsborg Player to Watch vs Tottenham Hotspur
Ahmed Qāsem has three goals in the Europa League to his name so far, including the winner against Qarabağ last month, to add to the five he managed in the Allsvenskan in 2024, and the 21-year-old is highly rated, so can he shine on a big stage?
Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg Prediction
Despite their recent catastrophic form, we are backing Tottenham for victory here, seeing Spurs safely through to the last 16, but leaving Elfsborg in danger of elimination: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Elfsborg.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg FAQs - Europa League
How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg Europa League game on TV channel?
Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg Europa League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 2
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg Europa League game on live streaming?
Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg Europa League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: discovery+
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg in the Europa League?
Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg takes place on Thursday 30 January 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).