Bale and Adebayor out for ‘decisive’ Spurs clash

Gareth Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor will be missing as Tottenham start what Andre Villas-Boas believes will be a “decisive” Europa League double-header with Maribor.

The North Londoners come to Slovenia third in Group J following draws in their opening matches at home to Lazio and away to Panathinaikos. Now comes a double-header with Maribor, starting with tonight’s clash at the People’s Garden before the return fixture at White Hart Lane two weeks from now.

“I think these two games with Maribor is going to be the decisive point of the group phase,” Tottenham boss Villas-Boas said.