Benji up for Besiktas challenge

Benji Stambouli is relishing the challenge of taking on Besiktas on their own patch for top spot in our Europa League group.

We lead the standings by two points ahead of our visit to the Turkish giants on matchday six and a draw in Thursday’s outing would be sufficient to cement our position as Group C winners.

Neither side can finish lower than second, meaning both clubs are already assured of a spot in the round of 32 in the New Year, but with pole position still up for grabs, midfielder Benji is ready to try to prevent Slaven Bilic’s men – who were knocked out of the Champions League at the play-off stage by Arsenal earlier this season – from leapfrogging us in the table.

“I think it’s a good challenge for us to go to Besiktas and to play for first place,” said the Frenchman, who scored the decisive goal in our 1-0 home victory over Partizan Belgrade on matchday five.

“The Europa League is a very good competition, we play against good teams and you know it’s always going to be a tough game

“We have the possibility to show what Tottenham are able to do, but we know we have to be solid.

“It’s always a pleasure to play in these games and we are looking forward to playing away to Besiktas.”