90min

KF Shkendija vs Tottenham Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

By Adam McGroarty

A late goal from Tanguy Ndombele saw Spurs beat Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the last qualifying round
A late goal from Tanguy Ndombele saw Spurs beat Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the last qualifying round / Nikolay Doychinov/Getty Images
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Tottenham travel to Macedonia to face KF Shkendija in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday night.

Shkendija have played their two previous qualifying games away from home without conceding a goal in either tie. Spurs, on the other hand, found themselves 1-0 down late on against Lokomotiv Plovdiv, but a Harry Kane penalty, coupled with two red cards for Plovdiv, threw the tie back in the north London side's favour. Tanguy Ndombele's goal in the 86th minute proved to be the difference, with Spurs progressing with a 2-1 victory.

Shkendija are expected to be a step up in opposition for Jose Mourinho's side, with the Macedonian team ranked 350 places higher than Plovdiv in the UEFA Rankings.

Where to Watch on TV

Shkendija beat Botosani in the previous qualifying round
Shkendija beat Botosani in the previous qualifying round / OLE MARTIN WOLD/Getty Images

When Is Kick Off? Thursday 24 September
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:00 (BST)
Where Is it Played? National Arena Todor Proeski
TV Channel/Live Stream? Premier Sports (UK)
Referee? Ali Palabiyik

Team News

New Spurs signing Sergio Reguilon, who won the competition in August, can't feature just yet
New Spurs signing Sergio Reguilon, who won the competition in August, can't feature just yet / Lars Baron/Getty Images

Shkendija will be without Armend Alimi on Thursday night due to suspension. The midfielder picked up a red card when his side beat Botosani 1-0 in the previous qualification round, making him ineligible to feature against Spurs.

Mourinho fielded a very strong Spurs side in the second qualifying round against Lokomotiv Plovdiv, and his team's performance in Bulgaria wouldn't have eased his concerns ahead of the third round. Tottenham's narrow victory justified the team selection, with Mourinho desperate to make it through to the group stages before he begins to play rotated lineups in the competition.

This means it is likely another strong lineup will be picked to face Shkendija. Recent signing Sergio Reguilon cannot play due to squad registration restrictions, but can feature in the competition should Spurs make it to the next qualification round. Mourinho hinted the Spaniard would be involved towards the end of the week, and a cameo appearance against Shkendija would have been the perfect way to get the left-back's fitness up to scratch before Spurs host Newcastle on Sunday.

Japhet Tanganga has only just made a return to training, while new signing Gareth Bale is expected to be match-fit within one month. Mourinho does have a relatively fresh squad at his disposal, however, due to the cancellation of Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie at Leyton Orient.

Predicted Lineups

Mourinho will likely call on his main players to do the job
Mourinho will likely call on his main players to do the job / Nikolay Doychinov/Getty Images

KF Shkendija: Zahov; Murati, Krivak, Bejtulai, Pavic; Ramadani, Dita; Ahmedi, Totre, Doriev; Ibrahimi.


Tottenham: Lloris; Doherty, Dier, Alderweired, Davies; Sissoko, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso; Son, Kane, Bergwijn.

Recent Form

Heung-min Son is fresh off the back of a four-goal performance against Southampton
Heung-min Son is fresh off the back of a four-goal performance against Southampton / Robin Jones/Getty Images

Shkendija sit top of the Macedonian First Football League, winning four of their opening six games. Shkendija haven't actually lost a game since last December.

As for Spurs, defeat at home to Everton on the opening day has seemed to spark a reaction from Mourinho's men. The north London side have won both of their fixtures since, including a recent spectacular 5-2 victory over Southampton. With the introduction of Bale and Reguilon, there is a feel-good atmosphere now around Hotspur Way, which the squad will look to keep alive with a victory on Thursday.

KF Shkendija
Shkendija 2-1 Akademija Pandev (20/09)
Botosani 0-1 Shkendija (17/09)
Belasica 0-3 Shkendija (12/09)
Shkendija 1-1 Borec (31/08)
Sumqayit 0-2 Shkendija (27/08)

Tottenham
Southampton 2-5 Tottenham (20/09)
Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1-2 Tottenham (17/09)
Tottenham 0-1 Everton (13/09)
Watford 2-1 Tottenham (05/09)
Tottenham 1-0 Birmingham (29/08)

Prediction

Kane and Son can be the difference for Spurs
Kane and Son can be the difference for Spurs / Robin Jones/Getty Images

Despite Tottenham's quality expected to be too much for Shkendija to handle, the Macedonian side will not fall at Spurs' feet.

With Kane and Son coming into this fixture following on from their telepathic partnership on show at St. Mary's on Sunday however, Shkendija defenders could be in for a long night.

Prediction: KF Shkendija 0-3 Tottenham