Attack is best form of defence for Sevilla

LONDON, Apr 11 (Reuters) Holders Sevilla are unlikely to curb their natural attacking instincts when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final at White Hart Lane tomorrow.

They had to come from a goal behind to win the first leg 2-1 in a match marred by ugly scenes inside the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium where Spurs fans were involved in clashes with baton-wielding Spanish police.

Tottenham, looking to reach a European final for the first time since winning the trophy in 1984, boast an abundance of firepower in the likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane and the match promises to be an open contest.

Sevilla have been boosted by the return of Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano, who was suspended in the first leg, and Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen believes his side's best chance is to pinch an away goal.

''It isn't Sevilla's style to try and play for a 0-0 result.

We need to score in London because it would be tough to try and simply stop them scoring,'' he told the Sevilla Web site (www.sevillafc.es).

''They are strong and fast with very good players up front. I think it will be necessary to score one or even two goals to progress.'' Sevilla have not lost an away game in the tournament this season, although they will be without first-choice keeper Andres Palop who is ruled out with a calf injury and Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevanton, their top scorer in the competition with four goals, who has a muscle strain.

Coach Juande Ramos rested a number of key players for Sunday's 0-0 draw at home to Racing Santander, a result that prevented them overtaking league leaders Barcelona, who lost 1-0 on Saturday.

KING DOUBT Tottenham coach Martin Jol rotated his squad for the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday, leaving out Keane, Berbatov, winger Aaron Lennon and midfield dynamo Didier Zokora.

All four will start on Thursday in a match central defender Michael Dawson knows could define Tottenham's season.

''It's a massive, massive game in our season,'' he told the club's Web site (www.totenhamhotspur.com). ''We know what it means to the club and we know what it means for the season -- it can keep it going for us.'' Who plays alongside Dawson in the heart of Tottenham's defence is still not clear as coach Martin Jol sweats on the availability of club captain Ledley King.

King has not played since Christmas because of a foot injury, but with Anthony Gardner injured and Ricardo Rocha ineligible, Jol is running out of options and may risk the England international.

South Korean fullback Lee Young-pyo is also ruled out while right back Pascal Chimbonda may have to move into the middle should Jol decide not to bring back King.

Tottenham missed out on a record-equalling ninth consecutive win in the competition last week, although they were left seething after conceding a controversial penalty, tucked away by former Spurs striker Freddie Kanoute to equalise for the hosts.

With Tottenham's sense of injustice and Sevilla's determination to become the first club to retain the trophy since Real Madrid in 1986, the second leg promises to be a cracking contest.

Probable teams: Tottenham Hotspur: 1-Paul Robinson; 2-Pascal Chimbonda, 20-Michael Dawson, 26-Ledley King, 7-Paul Stalteri; 25-Aaron Lennon, 4-Didier Zokora, 8-Jermaine Jenas, 6-Teemu Tainio or 15-Steed Malbranque; 9-Dimitar Berbatov, 10-Robbie Keane Sevilla: 13-Cobeno; 4-Daniel Alves, 2-Javi Navarro, 14-Julien Escude, 3-David Castedo; 15-Jesus Navas, 8-Christian Poulsen, 11-Renato, 6-Adriano Correia; 9-Alexander Kerzhakov, 12-Frederic Kanoute Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria) REUTERS SAM RK0940