Andy's Tuesday tips - Spurs are in trouble
The defining weeks of the season are upon us and Tuesday night plays host to the first two Champions League quarter-final matches. Here's how I see them going...
Real Madrid v Tottenham
These are really exciting times to be a Tottenham player and fan. In your first season in the big time, you top a very tough group that includes the holders, Inter Milan, then you draw and beat AC Milan and now you're up against one of THE glamour sides of European football. Even Harry Redknapp is walking around like a schoolboy with the whole of the summer holidays in front of him.
Tottenham have to be a little careful about getting carried away though. Getting to the last eight is a massive achievement and the financial rewards alone will be greatly appreciated by Harry when the summer transfer market opens, but now that they've made it this far, they have to believe they can keep on going.
The neutrals always want to see the world's best players in action on the biggest stages but Spurs fans will be praying that Brazilian full back Marcelo, the in-form Karim Benzema and, in particular, Cristiano Ronaldo will all miss the first tie at the Bernabeu as Jose Mourinho has suggested.
Of course, it wouldn't be the first time the Portuguese manager has played these sort of mind games but if one of the latter two does miss the game, it will be a huge boost to the Tottenham dressing room.
Another boost came of course over the weekend when Real Madrid lost at home to Sporting Gijon; stats lovers will be aware it was the first match in 150 that a team managed to Jose Mourinho had lost at home in the league.
That defeat will have angered the Special One but you can't imagine it will have dented his confidence and with the team wounded by that result, they may actually be that little bit more dangerous than usual.
My one concern for Spurs ahead of this match is that there aren't too many players in their squad who have played these sort of matches. Rafael van der Vaart has plenty of European experience, including a number of games whilst playing for the hosts.
William Gallas has but he is an injury doubt, Peter Crouch has for both England and Liverpool and Heurelho Gomes played plenty of Champions League football during his time at PSV Eindhoven. But beyond this foursome, you're struggling. The latter in particular is going to have to have a cracking match and make a handful of top quality saves because he's certainly going to have plenty to do.
If the north Londoners can go back to White Hart Lane with just a one-goal deficit to overcome they have every chance, especially if they score an away goal. That's a big ask though and I can see Real getting a big enough lead to be even stronger favourites to progress by the time the second leg comes about.
Recommended Bets:
Back Real Madrid to win at [1.43]
Back Real Madrid to win 2-0 at [8.0]
Back Angel Di Maria to score at [3.7]
Inter v Schalke
With all due respect to the German outfit, I'm surprised that Schalke have got this far. I thought Valencia would knock them out in the previous round but all credit to them for having a superb campaign in Europe despite falling apart in the Bundesliga.
Inter aren't quite the side they were last season under Jose Mourinho, far from it, and defending their Serie A title looks very tough now after a 3-0 defeat against city rivals and league leaders AC Milan.
But despite that setback, they're gradually rebuilding under Leonardo and the spirit and determination they showed in beating Bayern Munich from an almost impossible position shows just far how they've come since the Brazilian took over at the club.
Schalke have started life post-Felix Magath fairly well and were beating St Pauli on Friday when the match was controversially abandoned late on but with all due respect to the latter, Inter are a different kettle of fish. We have to side with the more settled team who are constantly improving by backing Inter.
Recommended Bets:
Back Inter to win at [1.62]
Back Inter to win 2-0 at [7.6]
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Published: 5 Apr 2011
Roy Singh (April 5, 2011 6:22 AM) said:
We need at least two quick goals & thereafter concentrate on our defence & the occasional break that may arise. Thereafter, substitute skillfully to gain fresh legs.
Alan Maile (April 5, 2011 10:15 AM) said:
Roy Singh, I think you have been reading Roy of the Rovers too much. This is a real match not Melchester Rovers and if Spurs can't score in 4 attempts against Wigan & West Ham, where on earth are 2 quick goals against Real Madrid going to come from. I hope for your sake that I am wrong.