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Spurs' record in Europe:-

U.E.F.A Champions League
 
 P  W   D   L   F - A
45 19   9  17  82 - 68

(Finalists 2019)
 
European Cup
P   W   D   L   F - A
8   4   1   3  21 - 13
 
(Semi-Finalists 1962)
 
European Cup Winners Cup
 
P   W   D   L   F - A
33  20  5   8  65 - 34
 
(Winners 1963)
 
UEFA Cup/Europa League
 P    W   D   L   F - A
141  79  36  26  278-122 
 
(Winners 1972, 1984
 Finalists 1974)

Total
P    W   D   L   F - A
227 122 51  54  446-237

Spurs determined to take one step closer

Whilst Jose Mourinho clearly had a plan for yesterday's postponed game at Leyton Orient, and he apparently intended to play a completely different team from the one he intends to play tomorrow, it must be a benefit to the club not to have had to fulfil last night's fixture. We still do not know if that game is to be a postponement or if it is to be given to Spurs (which would be within the current Carabao Cup rules), and therefore we do not know if Spurs have a fourth round game to play next week. To that extent, it must be an advantage that Spurs can seemingly concentrate on progressing to the Europa League without a Carabao Cup distraction. In the current Covid-19 climate things can change within a day, so we have to be prepared for all exigencies.

Spurs have travelled to Northern Macedonia today and Dele Alli was with the squad. Jose would not commit himself to whether or not Dele would start, or indeed as to whether Dele would remain with the club, although I got the impression from his press conference that he wants the player to stay and to claim back a place in the team. Harry Winks was selected for Spurs' pre-departure press conference, so we must assume that he will be playing tomorrow night. I have no doubt that once again Jose will pick a strong team. The manager is determined to take Spurs one step closer to the Europa League group phase. Sergio Reguilon is not yet registered with UEFA, so has not travelled, but at this stage registration is on a game-to-game basis, so Sergio could play next week, or indeed against Newcastle on Sunday. Gareth Bale is a) not registered, and b) not yet fit to play.

KF Shkendija football club is based in Tetovo, North Macedonia. The location is not quite as far as Plovdiv, where we played last week, so the journey for Spurs will be similar. There is no funny nickname for this team, simply known as "The Red and Blacks". The stadium holds 15,000, but of course once again the game will be played behind closed doors. No doubt Spurs will have to cope with the noise of over-excited locals assembling outside the ground.

Shkendija finished third in their league last season, which was curtailed due to Covid-19, and ended in March. Their season resumed in early August and they already have 6 league games under their belts, along with two Europa League qualifiers. While we were in Bulgaria the Macedonians were in Romania beating Botosani (never heard of them either) 1-0. The goalscorer was 33-year-old Besart Ibraimi, now in his seventh season with the club. Ibraimi has scored seven goals so far this season, four of which have been from the penalty spot. Shkendija are top of their league with 14 points from 6 games.

Shkendija won their first qualifier (also away) with two goals, both of which were penalties. Ibraimi took one of these. The other was scored by Ljupche Doriev. The losing team was from Azerbaijan - Sumqayit, who play in the same league as a team we have played before - Qarabag.

Doriev is one of two Shkendija players who are currently members of the Northern Macedonia International squad. The other is right back Egzon Bejtulai who has been an ever-present for the club so far this season. Leeds have another Macedonian International Ezgjan Alioski in their squad. Alioski is in his fourth season with the Yorkshire club.

Having won their league title in 2018/19 Shkendija entered the Champions League last season but were beaten in the first qualifying round. The Macedonian side were then defeated in a Europa League second qualifying round tie. Their top scorer in league matches last season was midfielder Armend Ali who is now 32 and has been with the team for 6 previous seasons. Alimi scored 9 goals, but they were scored in four games. In fact five of his goals were scored in the home and away games against Borec.

The match kicks off at 7pm UK time tomorrow (Thursday) and is being shown here on Premier Sports. We must hope for a better transmissiom than we endured last week from Bulgaria. I'll take Spurs to win confortably, either 2-0 or 3-1.

The winners of our UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie against KF Shkėndija have been drawn at home to either Russian side Rostov or Maccabi Haifa of Israel in the play-off round of the competition.

Once again we will see a new referee (to Spurs) for this game. Mr. Ali Palabiyik and his on-field officials are from Turkey. I note no less than 9 straight red cards and 8 second yellow offences in the games he has handled over the last year. All of these have been in domestic football, so perhaps we can put those down to the nature of the game in Turkey! This will be Mr. Palabiyik's first European game since February (Eintracht Frankfurt v Salzburg) when he showed just two yellow cards.

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