Spurs Look to Compound Madrid Misery

Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Santiago Bernabeu this Tuesday evening for a Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid.

Manager Jose Mourinho lost his first home game as manager in over nine years of football when Madrid were defeated 1-0 by Sporting Gijon at the weekend. It was a result that effectively handed Barcelona the La Liga title leaving the European heavyweights to fully focus their attentions on the Champions League.

Spurs have enjoyed a spectacular debut season in the Champions League already defeating both Inter Milan and AC Milan en route to the quarter finals, but this will certainly be their biggest test yet.

Harry Redknapp is “hopeful” that winger Gareth Bale will be fit as the Welshman looks to further embellish his reputation on the Champions League stage that has ignited his career. Spurs do have defensive worries, though, with William Gallas rated doubtful and Alan Hutton, Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Younes Kaboula all definitely unavailable.

Despite rumours to the contrary Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo could feature. Madrid’s medical team will assess him, along with Karim Benzema and Marcelo, on Monday before a decision is made on their inclusion.

Nine European Cup triumphs and a wealth of Champions League experience amid their ranks means that Madrid are the unsurprising 4/9 favourites to take a first-leg lead in this tie. Spurs will be hoping that home defeats for Mourinho are like the proverbial London bus; they are 13/2 to make it two home losses in quick succession for the Portuguese manager.

Peter Crouch has flourished in the Champions League this season, whilst struggling domestically, and has seven goals to his name in the competition. His aerial threat means that he is almost certain to start the game and can be backed at odds of 10/1 to open the scoring.

Ronaldo and Benzema are available to back in the first goalscorer market at odds of 3/1 and 4/1 respectively, if they are named in the starting XI. Yet it is former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor who is likely to strike most fear into the hearts of Spurs fans, the Togolese striker scored nine goals in eight north London derbies during his time as a Gunner.

Spurs have been known as the Champions League’s entertainers this season but they may be forced to adopt a more pragmatic approach when they visit one of European football’s powerhouses this Tuesday. It promises to be a fascinating night of football.