LONDON — Premier League duo Tottenham and Swansea put unbeaten records on the line in the third batch of Europa League group action tonight.
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Spurs can even qualify for the knockout stages with three games to spare should they see off FC Sheriff in Moldova and the other Group K tie ends in stalemate. Wins in Russia last time out against Anzhi Makhachkala and Norwegians Tromso have left Andre Villas-Boas’s high-flyers coasting in a competition in which they reached the quarterfinals last season.
Villas-Boas, who lifted the 2011 Europa League trophy with FC Porto, told uefa.com: “This trophy means a lot to Tottenham — last year we embraced the competition in a serious way, and we aim to do so again this season.
“Our objective is to progress.”
Speaking after the Anzhi victory the Portuguese commented: “A win is what we wanted and gives us the opportunity in the next games against Sheriff to ensure qualification.”
Spurs striker Jermain Defoe is on the brink of rewriting club history as one more goal will swell his European catch to 24 and draw the England striker level with club record-holder Martin Chivers.
Swansea made it two out of two to lead Group A with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Saint Gallen in south Wales at the start of the month.
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Tonight they are back at the Liberty Stadium playing host to Russian visitors Kuban Krasnodar, facing a Premier League side for the first time.
Like Tottenham, Swansea, competing in Europe for the first time since the 1991/92 season, are not only unbeaten but they have yet to concede a goal.
Both Spurs and Swansea, who were applauded by the Valencia fans after stunning the Spaniards 3-0 in their opener, are in good heart after stylish wins on the home front at the weekend. Britain’s third contender, FA Cup winners Wigan, are out to build on their first ever home European win – a 3-1 triumph over Maribor of Slovenia – when they host Rubin Kazan.
The Russians represent tough opposition, firing in nine goals to top Group D, with Wigan two points behind in the all-important second spot which gains qualification to the next round.
Sevilla, winners of the predecessor to the Europa League the 2006 and 2007 Uefa Cups, are undefeated and lead Group H, a position of superiority they are out to confirm when they travel to Slovan Liberec of the Czech Republic.
Group E leaders Fiorentina, buoyed by a 4-2 defeat of arch-rivals Juventus in Serie A on Sunday, are in Romania to tackle Pandurii Targu-Jiu.
With Germany striker Mario Gomez sidelined American-born Giuseppe Rossi, back after three operations in two years, has answered his club’s call, scoring a hat-trick against Juve.
