Tottenham Hotspur face CSKA Moscow tonight in what will be their 2nd match of the group stage. Spurs will know a victory is paramount after the setback against Monaco. They can hardly afford any more slip ups and will be buoyed by their domestic form which sees them sit in the 2nd spot below Manchester City. CSKA Moscow earned a credible 2-2 draw against Bayern Leverkusen in their opening match and will be quietly confident facing Tottenham on their home ground, where CSKA are traditionally hard to beat.
DATE, TIME AND VENUE
The Arena CSKA will host Tottenham’s clash with CSKA Moscow. Kick-off is scheduled for 7.45pm on Tuesday, September 27.
WHERE TO WATCH
BT Sport 3 will have live coverage of the match.
TEAM NEWS & PREDICTED LINE-UPS
CSKA MOSCOW (4-5-1)
Akinfeev; Fernandes, V Berezutski, Ignashevich, Shchennikov; Dzagoev, Wernbloom, Ionov, Eremenko, Golovin; Traore
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1)
Harry Kane has been ruled out of the tie with the ankle injury sustained previously. Spurs will also be missing left-back Danny Rose and midfielders Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele and Moussa Sissoko, who have not made the trip to Moscow.
Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Wanyama, Alli; Eriksen, Son, Lamela; Janssen
KEY MEN
CSKA MOSCOW
ALAN DZAGOEV
The attacking midfielder will be the torch-bearer of CSKA’s attacking endeavours. Although in what might be a major blow, the player has picked up a minor knock and the manager will put off a decision until the last moment before kick-off. He has not yet scored in the league but has provided 3 assists. Although he has got off the mark in the Champions League with a goal in the opening match.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
ERIC LAMELA
Spurs have a bevy of attacking options at their disposal. But Lamela is nailed-on to start with Pochettino usually keeping him fresh for their European exertions. He has started off the bench in the last couple of Premier League matches and is in line for a start against CSKA Moscow. His trickery and invention from the right-wing will be crucial in the absence of Kane and Pochettino will be hopeful he carries on his good form into the match.
LIKELY OUTCOME
The match will be the first competitive meeting between the two. Tottenham Hotspur are the better team on paper but their away form in the Champions League aligned with CSKA Moscow’s notorious ability to cause all sorts of problems at home for the opposition teams, bodes well for the home fans.
BETTING ODDS
CSKA MOSCOW-21/10
DRAW-12/5
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR-29/20
