Twente is in good form and is playing very solid in the Dutch league where they’re currently sharing the first spot with PSV, and are hoping to win yet another title. Unfortunately for them, they did their best in CL and played up to their limits which was only enough for the 3rd spot and I think coach Preud’homme will be quite pleased with Europa League as well. For this match, they will be without their last season’s best scorer Bryan Ruiz, but they still have good attackers on the team like Janko and Chadli. They barely lost their last CL away game they played against Inter by 1:0, and this time they will be going for the win even though only 1 point would ensure them that 3rd spot they desire.
Weakened
Tottenham is currently first in the groups and will certainly try to hold that position after this last round as well, since that would get them an easier rival in the knockout stages. It could be said their CL debut was a bit surprising but a side that has got such good individuals totally deservedly holds the first place in my opinion. This time they will be without quite a few players such are long-term absent defenders King and Woodgate, as well as the terrific midfielder Van der Vaart and defender Kaboul. Gareth Bale is currently their best player and with him as well as with Modric in the squad, I think they are capable of beating anyone, and that’s why they’re optimistic before this away game, and another thing boosting their morale is the fact they’ve got 4 wins and 2 draws in the last 6 matches.
Open
I remember their clash played in London when Tottenham won by convincing 4:1, but it was only in the 2nd half when they managed to break the Dutchmen down. In that clash, Van der Vaart played brilliant against his countrymen but unfortunately for the Englishmen, he won’t be eligible to feature today. Both sides will be going for the win and playing attacking footie and I’m sure both are quite capable of scoring at least one goal each, while I’m somewhat closer to believing in Twente’s victory, who will try to revenge for that convincing loss against the Spurs from their first meeting. The odds are tempting and I’m willing to take it with high stakes.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.95
Bookie: Bet365
Tottenham Hotspur is placed in the 6th spot (22 points, 6W – 4D – 4L) in English Premier League. They are coming back to win the North London Derby against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. This fact didn’t happen since 1993. I’m quite sure weekend has been long for Tottenham’s supporters and even the players.
Spurs are being very unstable this season in Premier League, but this fact is not new for Tottenham. I always think that Tottenham and Atletico Madrid are the most unpredictable teams around the world. One day they win against Arsenal away from home, other day they are not able to win Sunderland at home. Simply Spurs are non-logic team.
Anyway they stay involved in great run in Champions League. They made two excellent matches at home against Twente FC (4-1) and Internazionale FC (3-1). Gareth Bale has revealed as the best sensation in Europe this season so far.
Spurs are plenty of injury players, so I expect something similar as the line-up in last weekend.
I’m expecting something like this: Gomes; Hutton, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Jenas, Modric, Rafael VdV, Lennon, Gareth Bale; Pavliuchenko (Crouch).
Thomas in Danger
Werder Bremen is placed in the 12th spot (15 points, 4W – 3D – 6L) in German Bundesliga. Werder Bremen stays in crisis, clearly in crisis. They played an important game last Saturday against Schalke and they were trashed (4-0) away from home. They have conceded 10 goals in their last two away games.
Thomas Schaaf (coach) is having a lot of problems with injuries and he isn’t being able to make good football and manage good results in Bundesliga and Champions League.
Werder Bremen has a lot of defensive problems. They conceded 4 goals against Internazionale FC, they also conceded 6 goals against VfB Sttutgart and finally they conceded 4 goals against poor Schalke this season.
Werder Bremen has a ton of injured players. Mainly they will have Claudio Pizarro out of 2 weeks more. He is their best striker and possibly the best player in the squad.
I expect something similar as the team which made a disaster this weekend: Wiese; Fritz, Mertesacker, Prödl, Pasanen; Frings, Bargfrede, Wesley, Hunt , Marin; Almeida.
Decisive for Spurs
This is a crucial match for Spurs. They will qualify if they are able to win Werder Bremen. This fact would be wonderful news for Tottenham’s home crowd which is thirsty and hungry of successes in last decades. Obviously, they are coming back from an emotional game against their eternal rivals and maybe they may be a little unfocused, but they can’t afford losing these points and have to play in the last fixture of the group against dangerous Twente FC away from home.
On the other hand, Werder Bremen will have to play a tight and important game against St. Pauli. They need those three points and I don’t think they play at full strength on Wednesday against Spurs when their chances to progress to the next round are minimal.
I think Spurs’ victory is highly probable and although the odds on AH (-1) are not quite appealing, I think they are going to win, but I’m not going to risk in another higher handicap because Spurs is capable of anything in this World. I expect a pretty open match. Spurs and Werder Bremen are offensive minded teams which are capable to score several goals in any matches.
This is a great chance to catch foe Spurs side and manage the dreamt qualification.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (-1)
Odd: 1.78
Bookie: Victor Chandler
Tottenham Hotspur is placed in the 6th spot (22 points, 6W – 4D – 4L) in English Premier League. They are coming back to win the North London Derby against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. This fact didn’t happen since 1993. I’m quite sure weekend has been long for Tottenham’s supporters and even the players.
Spurs are being very unstable this season in Premier League, but this fact is not new for Tottenham. I always think that Tottenham and Atletico Madrid are the most unpredictable teams around the world. One day they win against Arsenal away from home, other day they are not able to win Sunderland at home. Simply Spurs are non-logic team.
Anyway they stay involved in great run in Champions League. They made two excellent matches at home against Twente FC (4-1) and Internazionale FC (3-1). Gareth Bale has revealed as the best sensation in Europe this season so far.
Spurs are plenty of injury players, so I expect something similar as the line-up in last weekend.
I’m expecting something like this: Gomes; Hutton, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Jenas, Modric, Rafael VdV, Lennon, Gareth Bale; Pavliuchenko (Crouch).
Thomas in Danger
Werder Bremen is placed in the 12th spot (15 points, 4W – 3D – 6L) in German Bundesliga. Werder Bremen stays in crisis, clearly in crisis. They played an important game last Saturday against Schalke and they were trashed (4-0) away from home. They have conceded 10 goals in their last two away games.
Thomas Schaaf (coach) is having a lot of problems with injuries and he isn’t being able to make good football and manage good results in Bundesliga and Champions League.
Werder Bremen has a lot of defensive problems. They conceded 4 goals against Internazionale FC, they also conceded 6 goals against VfB Sttutgart and finally they conceded 4 goals against poor Schalke this season.
Werder Bremen has a ton of injured players. Mainly they will have Claudio Pizarro out of 2 weeks more. He is their best striker and possibly the best player in the squad.
I expect something similar as the team which made a disaster this weekend: Wiese; Fritz, Mertesacker, Prödl, Pasanen; Frings, Bargfrede, Wesley, Hunt , Marin; Almeida.
Decisive for Spurs
This is a crucial match for Spurs. They will qualify if they are able to win Werder Bremen. This fact would be wonderful news for Tottenham’s home crowd which is thirsty and hungry of successes in last decades. Obviously, they are coming back from an emotional game against their eternal rivals and maybe they may be a little unfocused, but they can’t afford losing these points and have to play in the last fixture of the group against dangerous Twente FC away from home.
On the other hand, Werder Bremen will have to play a tight and important game against St. Pauli. They need those three points and I don’t think they play at full strength on Wednesday against Spurs when their chances to progress to the next round are minimal.
I think Spurs’ victory is highly probable and although the odds on AH (-1) are not quite appealing, I think they are going to win, but I’m not going to risk in another higher handicap because Spurs is capable of anything in this World. I expect a pretty open match. Spurs and Werder Bremen are offensive minded teams which are capable to score several goals in any matches.
This is a great chance to catch foe Spurs side and manage the dreamt qualification.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (-1)
Odd: 1.78
Bookie: Victor Chandler
Bolton is coming after a somehow unlucky defeat to Liverpool last round when the draw could have been the fair outcome. But this was only their second defeat this season, the previous one coming at Emirates, against Arsenal. Otherwise, many draws and two wins showing they are a very tough nut to crack. Coach Owen Coyle has reasons to smile since Bulgarian winger Petrov recovered after an injury and could play tomorrow, leaving in infirmary only the long term injured Samuel, Davis, O’Brien and Gardner.
High flying
Tottenham is high flying after the resounding win over Inter in Champions League. We have witnessed another stellar performance from Gareth Bale who is looking better and better which every game he plays. They have lost at Old Trafford last round and they are in danger of losing the contact with the first four teams in case of another defeat. For tomorrow’s game, Van der Vaart suffer from a hamstring injury and, along with Defoe they could miss it, while Lennon is doubtful. They are added to the longer injury list of Corluka, Dawson, King and Woodgate, all defenders so it means Gallas and Kabould will pair again in the center of the defense.
Both to score
Both teams are looking to bounce back after their recent slumps so I expect a really entertaining game tomorrow on Reebook Stadium. Spurs suffers in the defense and I expect Bolton to score. On the other hand, Bolton is quite solid but Spurs has a lot of firepower up front so them scoring is also very expected. The AH line is set at 0 and this is fair imo, considering their domestic performances and the fact Spurs might be tired after the midweek game against Inter. The odds for over 2,5 goals are also tasty but again, it might be a long shot. But, since I expect both of them to score at least once, I will go for the safer option.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: Both to score
Odd: 1.73
Bookie: Gamebookers
The Nerazzurri have finally found some decent form, losing only once in the last 9 encounters, while at home they won three and draw once (10-1 the score line).
With last season`s key striker, Diego Milito, missing out with a groin problem, Inter have been heavily relying on Samuel Eto`o`s performances. Moved in his favourite position, the Cameroonian has scored 12 goals in 11 games in all competitions.
Important missings
Tottenham share the lead alongside Inter with four points each, a bright start at their maiden Champions League campaign and they are on a good run of three winning games, but they will have to face their toughest test so far without their most important players: Rafael van der Vaart is suspended, Jermain Defoe is injured, while Ledley King is also out with a groin injury.
The Spurs have been a hard nut to crack this season, losing only three of their 13 competitive games (all of them by the goal margin), but their defense was more vulnerable, as they only kept 2 clean sheets all season. With King out and an expected defensive pair: Gallas-Bassong, Eto`o should put a huge threat on Spurs` net.
Inter have not scored even once when Eto`o has failed to find the target, so taking a bet on the prolific striker to score anytime seems like the most logical bet.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: Samuel Eto’o to score anytime
Odd: 2.30
Bookie: Unibet
Probable starting eleven: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu; Zanetti, Sneijder, Stankovic; Chukwuma, Eto`o, Coutinho. Inter is in very difficult situation. Some of the key players are injured. Coach Rafa Benitez will be without Diego Milito, Esteban Cambiasso, Mancini and McDonald Mariga. The first two are very important and their absence is big handicap for Inter. Three other players are doubtfull: Goran Pandev, Thiago Motta and Jonathan Biabiany. Coach Benitez must put one relatively unknown player in the attack. I am speaking about Chukwuma, even the other player Coutinho is also young and inexperienced.
In good form
Probably starting eleven: Gomes; Hutton, Gallas, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Palacios, Bale; Modric; Crouch. Tottenham is currently in good form. They managed to beat Twente in second round of Champions League. They are also good in domestic Premier League, winning the last two games against Aston Villa and Fulham. Coach Redknapp also have some problems with injured players. Out of the team are Ledley King, Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson. Plus Rafael van der Vaart is suspended after he received a red card in the last game with Twente.
Tottenham can stay unbeaten
I think Tottenham can stay unbeaten in Milano. They are in excellent form, beating the last three matches. The players confidence is surely very high at the moment. Even Inter is playing good too, I think their attack is not too strong. Two important players will miss the game, Pandev and Milito. Now Benitez has only Eto`o as experienced striker. Both Chukwuma and Coutinho are young players. They are maybe good, but experience is also important in such games. That is why I am expecting Tottenham to stay unbeaten in Italy.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: X
Odd: 3.87
Bookie: Pinnacle
Tottenham are looking to bounce back after 2 losses in a row. They lost 1:4 against Arsenal in extra time for the Carling Cup, in a match that both teams came out with most of their reserve players. And the other lose was in the Premiership this weekend from West Ham 1:0. I think the atmosphere will be fantastic in this first ever Champions League clash at White Hart Lane. Spurs will be looking for a first win in the Champions League and i think that they will get it in this match against Twente.
Twente left in the summer by McClaren
Steve McClaren left the club in the summer as he won the Eredivisie and i was a bit surprised about his decision as he decided to join Wolfsburg. However now manager of Twente is Michel Preud`homme, who was in charge for Standard Liege and then left the club for Gent and from Gent came to Twente. Now i don`t think that the style that they played under McClaren is the same now and i don`t think that they are as dangerous as they were last year, so i really believe that Tottenham will get the win here over Twente.
Tottenham to win
I expect a win for Tottenham here, this is their first ever White Hart Lane match in the Champions League and the atmosphere will be fantastic. The players will get extra motivation from the fans and i believe that there will be goals in this match. So i will go for the home win with asian handicap of -1.
GL!
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (-1)
Odd: 2.75
Bookie: Bet365
West Ham seem to have pulled their socks up a bit. After 4 straight losses, they went up to Stoke as underdogs and came away with a very creditable draw via a goal from captain Scott Parker. Then, just to prove it was no fluke, they went to Sunderland and produced a solid 2-1 win, to progress to the 4th round of the Carling Cup. They now entertain Tottenham, who also had the smiles wiped off their faces in the Carling cup on the same evening. Avram Grant, the man who took the mighty Chelsea all the way to within a fluffed kick of a first Champions League trophy, comes into this having had his last weekend off, so will be nice and fresh to pace the sidelines.
Attacking
Tottenham have started the season in unconvincing fashion, and don`t look solid at all. They`ve lost against Wigan, drawn their opening Champions League match after having a 2-goal lead, and then had to do the same thing against lowly Wolves last week to get their win.
How will Tottenham fare now against a side with a new spring in their step, and a belief that they can get a result if they work their socks off? I don`t know. What I do know is that this Spurs team is just as capable of fighting back as they are of shooting themselves in the foot. So, while I think that Tottenham will ship a goal at Upton Park, I know they have enough talent in them to find at least a goal. They have the likes of Keane, Crouch and Pavlyuchenko and they will surely find goals from at least one of them.
Opening match
Clashes between West Ham and Tottenham always do have an extra edge to them and I definitely expect more of the say this time in what should be a cracker to watch. I am expecting a good, open game of football here. This could go any of three ways, so I`m not going to bother with the result bet. Instead I`ll take both sides to net ( or over 2.5 goals), and collect the beer money I`ll have spent earlier that day.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: Over 2.5
Odd: 2.00
Bookie: Skybet
Tottenham side is playing quite well this season but their manager Harry Redknapp will have a very tough task of keeping this team in form and avoiding the injuries of his key players since they are participating in several competitions this season such are Champions League, the domestic cups and the league. In CL they started out in a nice fashion managing to come back from 0:2 to 2:2 against Werder, and they showed their fighting spirit and the ability to turn the match around once again last week, when they were down by 0:1 against Wolverhampton at home, just to ensure a 3:1 win in the last 15 minutes of the game. There will certainly be some changes in their squad for this clash so King, Gallas along with Van der Vaart will most probably be rested, and the players that could start will be Dos Santos, Bassong, Palacios, and midfielder Sandro, so the Spurs will have good enough of a squad to once again defeat Arsenal.
Youngsters
After a phenomenal start in CL when they demolished Braga by 6:0 at home, Arsene Wenger’s players have disappointed a bit in EPL by only drawing away at Sunderland (1:1). In that match they were the better side for the most part but Fabregas scored quite a lucky goal for them, just for Rosicky to miss a penalty towards the end of the match, which would surely secure them the win. Of course, the punishment followed literally in the last seconds of the match when Sunderland managed to equalize after a total mess in Arsenal’s penalty box. Another negative thing for this team is that on top of all the injuries they’ve faced already, their captain Fabregas has been added to that list again, so Wenger will be seeking the foundation of their team for the Carling cup matches in his younger players per usual.
North London derby
This season, Tottenham finally managed to defeat Arsenal after failing to do that in their previous 21 meeting, so the hosts will certainly try to repeat that outcome for the 2nd time in a row. These matches are always very significant and prestigious for both of these sides but since both teams are participating in Champions League and will play their matches next week, I have no dilemma that both sides will be using mixed squads. Still, the match will be quite an open affair and the players that haven’t been playing too many minutes on the pitch this season are gonna want to prove themselves and knowing both teams are much better on the offense, I’ve got no doubts the goals are the right choice here.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.73
Bookie: Stan James
After they were shocked in the first half an hour of the match in Bern against Young Boys, when they conceded as many as 3 goals, the Tottenham side started to create a big turnaround when they scored 2 goals till the end of the match, and eventually ended that match with quite a favorable results considering the way that match was going. Their defense turned out to be quite insecure, and that’s why experienced Frenchman Gallas was hired, as he signed a 1-year contract with the club. It is expected that the entire squad performs at a much higher level and for the first time in the history of their club enters the Champions League. The players such as Pavlychenko, Modric, Kranjac, Crouch, Jenas, etc… really stick out with quality and it’s certain they are huge favorites in this clash.
Dangerous side
Young Boys from Bern are playing phenomenal this year in Europe and so far have overcome all expectations since they have already secured the place in the group phase of Europa League but thanks to one brave performance they even got one step near the historical participation in CL. On their ultra-artificial grass they are a very lethal and inhospitable team for any rival, having very fast-paced players who are also well-composed and their attacks and plays are almost unstoppable. Of course, just like any ultra-offensive side, their defense is by far the worst part of the team. One of the best Swiss teams, Zurich, also felt their huge home force this weekend, as Young Boys beat them by 1:0 thanks to a goal of one of their best players Degen, while other big threats for the opposing goalies are also Bienvenu, Hochstrasser, Lulic…
Madness
Here I see only one possible scenario and that is – attacking on both ends. Tottenham will be attacking cause they have to chase the deficit from the first leg, and besides I am sure they won’t settle for some narrow win and play bunker after 1 or 2:0 but will rather want to humiliate the rival cause of the shameful defeat from the first leg. On the other hand, Young Boys will be attacking cause they don’t know how to play different, so therefore the over 3 and 3.5 are probably the most logical choices for this match. I expect the odds to even drop more until Wednesday so I suggest you to take this now early for high stakes. Good luck!
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: Over 3
Odd: 1.85
Bookie: Pinnacle
Recent Comments