FC Anzhi Makhachkala will be hosting Tottenham Hotspur FC on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League.

The Spurs are coming off a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the English Premier League.

However, Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas will be resting key players so as to avoid fatigue and to be able to bounce back in the Premier League.

Defender Jan Vertonghen and Brazilian midfielder Paulinho will have time to have their bodies recover from a grueling Spurs schedule.

"We made that decision because both players were involved in the game (at Villa) two days after we played Cardiff," Villas-Boas told tottenhamhotspur.com.

"Kyle Walker has travelled, but we rested him for the game against Tromso. The logic is to rest these three players between these fixtures."

"Our strength in depth allows us to do that, so Jan hasn't travelled, neither has Paulinho."

Danny Rose (toe) is still in recovery phase, while Etienne Capoue (ankle) and Aaron Lennon (foot) are out due to injuries.

Meanwhile, Anzhi came off a 2-2 draw against Amkar which means that they have yet to secure a win in the Russian Premier League.

Anzhi defensive midfielder Jucilei is excited to go against the team from London and intimated the significance of the fixture.

"Of course, taking into account the level of our opponent, this game is going to be of big importance," Jucilei told fc-anji.ru.

"But I think we've got a good team, Anji has signed new players who are fitting in the squad."

"We're getting united and have chances to advance from the group."

Towering striker Lacina Traore is out because of his shoulder injury, as well as Alexandru Epureanu and Ilya Maksimov, who are also injured.

Schedule and Free Live Online Streaming (Link will be provided an hour before kick-off):
October 4, 2013 - 3:00 am (AEST)
LINK