Tottenham Hotspur will want to mark their return to the top-most layer of the European competition with a win as they host AS Monaco under the Wembley arch which is expected to be filled to the brim tonight. Spurs last made the Champions League bow in the 2010-11 season where they made it to the quarter-finals under the stewardship of Harry Redknapp. That campaign would be etched in the minds of the English supporters for the emergence of Gareth Bale. Coming back to this season, Mauricio Pochettino’s troops will be quietly confident of progressing beyond the group stages where they have been bunched together with Monaco, Bayern Leverkusen and CSKA Moscow.
They would love to get the points on the board in their very first match against Monaco, who are expected to provide the stiffest challenge to them. Currently leading the Ligue 1, Monaco have got off to a very promising start in a season where they will be looking to end the domestic monopoly of PSG. The match is expected to be a lot closer than what transpired the last time both the teams met, with Tottenham Hotspur emerging 4-1 winners at the White Hart Lane, in the Europa league last year.
TEAM NEWS
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Tottenham have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Wednesday’s clash, with only Danny Rose currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. Ben Davies, who started against Stoke City on Saturday, is set to deputise once again.
MONACO
Monaco will be missing the services of Mendy (thigh) and Mbappé (concussion). On top of the two absentees, Subašić (thigh) is a doubt for the fixture.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1)
Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Wanyama; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane.
MONACO (4-4-1-1)
Subašić; Raggi, Glik, Jemerson, Sidibé; Dirar, Fabinho, Moutinho, Traoré; Silva, Germain.
KEY MEN
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
HARRY KANE
Last season’s star will be all set to make his Champions League bow and all eyes will be on the man the club hope will be instrumental in their journey this season both in the League and Europe. He was a bit slow to start off after a disappointing Euro 16 with England but netted in the 4-0 trouncing of Stoke City. Spurs need Kane to take his chances and be in form tonight else Monaco has the quality to hurt them.
MONACO
JOAO MOUTINHO
The midfielder, Spurs were so close to signing, will be one the English team will be wary off. The versatile and talented midfielder has been shifted to a more advanced area and will be looking to orchestrate Monaco’s attacking endeavours. He scored against PSG recently and will look to get on the scoresheet and show Spurs wat they narrowly missed out on.
LIKELY OUTCOME
Both the teams are on a scoring spree having netted 4 goals in their last match-ups and although it is not expected to be on similar lines, both the teams have young and attacking players who will be eager to showcase their skills. After receiving a trouncing last time around, Monaco coach will be wary of leaving too many gaps for the likes of Lamela and Eriksen to exploit.
T4O PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2- 1 MONACO
