Spurs Can Pick Up First Champions League Win in Eindhoven
The Champions League hasn’t been kind to Tottenham so far, and they head into week three without a point from their first two games. Losses away at Inter Milan and at home to Barcelona have not made this a ‘must win’ game but it is certainly close to that. There is no doubt that Spurs have the quality to progress into the next round, even from the position they are in at the minute, but they have to start picking some points up soon, and the game on Wednesday night represents a good opportunity to do so.
If there is one comfort that Spurs can take going into their game on Wednesday it is that PSV Eindhoven have exactly the same record so far, they too have lost games against Inter Milan and Barcelona. PSV look to be the weakest team on paper in this group, and many expected them to finish bottom behind the big three. However, three points here would do them the world of good, and put them in a position where they can challenge for the third spot, to get into the Europa League.
This is the first of two meetings between these clubs and these two games are going to decide the fate for both of them. Six points puts Tottenham back in contention to make the next round, with the likelyhood of a deciding game against Inter Milan at Wembley to follow. However, anything less and the Italians would probably have the driving seat going into the final games. As far as PSV go, they are expected to finish bottom, so anything other than that would be seen as an achievement. They could really do with getting something from this game to give themselves hope, and three points would certainly give them a chance of upsetting the odds and finishing in third ahead of Spurs.
What are the Expectations for Tottenham Football Club?
The general feeling about Tottenham right now is that they are in no mans land, and struggling to find a place where they belong. They have made the Champions League for a few years now, and they do look capable of competing at that level, although should the club miss out on qualification I don’t think it would be too disastorous for them. They don’t appear to be close to challenging for the league title on a domestic level right now, but a certain level is expected from them due to the players they have in their squad. Again, in a similar way to the Champions League, if Spurs finished sixth it wouldn’t be a good season, but at the same time they are not a huge club, so it wouldn’t be damaging to them too much.
The situation they are in is probably what led them to making the decision to sign no one in the summer, something that could come back to haunt them, unless they make some moves in January. Spurs didn’t feel the need to strengthen to make themselves better because they are some way off challenging for the league title. However, they have enough quality in their team to maintain the position they have, so they didn’t feel the pressure from those below them and invest because of that reason.
The signals coming from the club are mixed too, do they want to challenge for the title, or are they happy where they are? The later isn’t a good signal to send to the fans, but it is seemingly what they are saying right now. I don’t think it is fair on Tottenham to fully judge them until they are in their new stadium, settled and have a summer to think about their next move. That means I won’t be judging their moves until next summer, when hopefully they have moved into their new stadium, although the cynical people out there may wonder if that will be the case.
With a brand new ground, Spurs will have a great facility to show to their possible new signings and state of the art facilities that they can use. With the additional capacity, more revenue should come into the club and be available for growth. Those two together should see Tottenham improve as a club, both on and off the field over the coming years thanks to this stadium. If that is the case then a tilt at the league title is something they will certainly be pushing for, despite seemingly not going for it right now.
If I’m a Tottenham fan then I’m probably still on the side of caution as to what will actually happen at the club over the next three or four years. The foundations appear to be there, the promise is certainly there, but will the club be able to make the last step and challenge? The last step appears to be the toughest, will they make it, or will it be a step too far?
PSV Eindhoven vs Tottenham Betting Tips
In the third game of six in the Champions League group stage, this can’t really be called a must win game. However, it is very close for Tottenham if they are to have any hopes of securing second place in the group. There is also a little pressure on PSV though, they could really do with winning this game if they want to push for third and make the Europa League.
There is one difference between these two and that is the quality that they have. There is no doubt that on paper this Tottenham team is much better than the one that PSV will put out on the field. We have seen Spurs put up some good away performancs in Europe, so playing away from home shouldn’t be a problem for them. PSV don’t offer an intimidating atmosphere to play in, so there should be no reason why Tottenham can’t go away to Holland and feel comfortable, leading them to take all three points from this game.
That is what I am backing them to do, and in the process they look set to kick start their qualification hopes. After this game they will be at the half way stage, and they simply cannot go into it with anything less than three points. A win here makes the league table look much better, and that is my prediction for what will happen.
This is an important tie for Spurs, but one that I am backing them to win in Holland on Wednesday night.