Chris, via text: Benfica overcame Newcastle in the Europa league, however I think Tim Sherwood will opt for more aggressive tactics than Alan Pardew did. Tottenham to go through 4-1 on aggregate.

Tottenham have been inconsistent of late, winning four and losing three of their last seven matches. But the statistics for tonight's match are in their favour at least. The Londoners are unbeaten in 11 European home games since their defeat by Greek side PAOK FC in the 2011/12 Europa League group stage. Spurs also have a fine record against Portuguese opposition because they are unbeaten in five home games against teams from Portugal.

BBC Sport's Shamoon Hafez reports: "Make no bones about it, this is a tough last-16 tie for Tim Sherwood's Spurs side, coming up against a Benfica outfit who are seven points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga and unbeaten in all competitions since November. Sherwood said during the week his players are playing for their futures. Will they heed his advice and bounce back from the 4-0 thrashing by Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday?"

The deadlock has finally been broken in Porto with Jackson Martinez giving the home side a 1-0 lead over Napoli. Elsewhere, 10-man Valencia have extended their lead over Ludogorets to 3-0. Former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos has added to goals from Antonio Barragan and Fede Cartabia. Quite an achievement after they were reduced to 10-men after just 26 minutes when Seydou Keita was sent off for bringing down Roman Bezjak and denying a goalscoring opportunity.

"I'm a manager, not a babysitter," said Tim Sherwood ahead of this tie. "A lot here are playing for their future and they realise that now."

Sherwood then went on to inform us that he's a shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy. "They are all men. They all appreciate that I am singing it from the heart, not from the script. I'm not an actor. I work on impulse."

It'd be a darn good scrip by Sherwood, though... Tense and emotional...

Jason Roberts on Radio 5 live

"You would expect what the manager said to be kept in the dressing room, but I think that shows the sense of feeling from Tim Sherwood.

"He is looking for a reaction tonight but it can go two ways: they can either react very well or they can shrink a bit. It is a gamble from Tim Sherwood and we will see which way it goes, but by making the changes today he has stood by what he said.

"If there is a good performance by the players and they do respond then everyone will think it was great by Sherwood."

You can listen to full 90 minute commentary from White Hart Lane on BBC Radio 5 live and online.

As you've probably already heard, Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood accused his side of "lacking guts and character" against Premier League leaders Chelsea and says his squad are playing for their futures during the next two months, starting against Benfica this evening. So, the heat is on.

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Naughton, Lennon, Paulinho, Sandro, Eriksen, Adebayor, Kane. Subs: Friedel, Rose, Soldado, Townsend, Chadli, Fryers, Bentaleb.

Benfica: Oblak, Silvio, Luisao, Garay, Siqueira, Fejsa, Ruben Amorim, Sulejmani, Rodrigo, Cardozo, Markovic. Subs: Artur Moraes, Djuricic, Lima, Gaitan, Jardel, Andre Almeida, Perez.

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)

Tottenham youngster Harry Kane makes his second start of the season, alongside striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen shakes off a back problem to take his place in the side while Younes Kaboul is captain in the absence of Michael Dawson, who misses out with a hamstring problem.

Towering striker Oscar Cardozo starts for Benfica after recovering from a back injury, and Bosnian Miralem Sulejmani comes in to the side, too. But tricky midfielder Nicolas Gaitan has to make do with a place on the bench. Captain Luisao and Ezequiel Garay, who have conceded just one goal in the last 16 games, marshal the central defence again.

A two-legged tie against a team which has won 18 of their last 20 matches might not be what a doctor would have ordered for Tottenham after their 4-0 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday but, sometimes, people find strength through adversity and what better way to get back to full health than by beating one of the competition's favourites.

Infostrada Sports:, external @RedBullSalzburg's 10-match winning streak is the longest current win streak in European competitions. Last def 3-1 at Fenerbahce in August

It's currently goalless in their game away at Basel.

BBC Radio 5 live

There are many ways to keep tabs on this evening's shenanigans. You could pop over to White Hart Lane, but if that is not an option then just sit back, put on a smoking jacket and let us feed you with the latest news and scores. There's Europa League build-up on BBC Radio 5 live now, with live commentary from White Hart Lane at 2005.

Roberto Soldado will start on the substitutes' bench against Benfica, while Harry Kane makes the starting line-up, as does Christian Eriksen. Younes Kaboul will captain Tottenham in the absence of the injured Michael Dawson.

There's no time to shilly-shally - there's only just over an hour to go until the match gets under way at White Hart Lane. Here are some of the evening's headline matches (all times GMT):

Tottenham v Benfica (20:05)

FC Porto v Napoli (18:00)

Ludogorets Razgrad v Valencia CF (18:00)

Juventus v Fiorentina (20:05)

Sevilla v Real Betis (20:05)

Europa League live scores

Hello and welcome to live text coverage of the Europa League round of 16 matches. Tottenham - the only Premier League club still in the competition - host Benfica and there's also a Seville derby and an all-Italian ding-dong to keep an eye on. Let's get going.

If watching millionaires playing for their future employment tickles your fancy then, ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, roll up, roll up and step this way. There will be guts on show (or there might not), there will be character (or there might not) but there will not, I repeat, will not be any need for babysitters.

Image source, Getty Images