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

The north Londoners go to Slovenia third in the group 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 Stadion Ljudski vrt before the return fixture at White Hart Lane in two weeks. “I think these two games with Maribor is going to be the decisive point of the group phase,” Tottenham boss Villas-Boas said.

“A point will not be a bad result as it will keep us tight with Maribor. Lazio can escape if they beat Panathinaikos tomorrow. I think these two games could prove decisive. You will get a clearer picture after these two games to see more or less what can we do.”

Maribor were defeated in the group stage by second-tier Birmingham in last season’s competition and asked whether they were a side Tottenham should be beating, Villas-Boas said: “Yes, for the players we have and the team that we have this is clear.”

Villas-Boas has brought a strong-looking 19-man squad with him to Slovenia, although he will have to do without several key names. Mousa Dembele remains sidelined with a hip complaint and goalkeeper Brad Friedel has stayed at home, meaning Hugo Lloris will start the game.

Bale also stayed at home after his girlfriend gave birth to their first child at the weekend, which saw him miss the 4-2 home defeat to Chelsea.

Adebayor is the other big name not to have travelled with Tottenham, which Villas-Boas says is due to back pain. However, there were reports the Togo striker could ask to miss the trip to Slovenia as he was unhappy about his chances of winning a starting berth. “He’s pretty happy,” Villas-Boas said of Adebayor. “I think we have got some excellent results that came to an end at the weekend against Chelsea, but the group has been extremely happy.”