Spurs will be hosting German giants Bayer Leverkusen in the fourth round of the Champions League group stage on Wednesday 2nd November. Exactly, one month back, the Lilywhites won a game for the last time and that was a sensational 2-0 victory against then high-flying Manchester City. They are winless in five games in all competitions after that. Group E is still an open affair with each of the four clubs having a decent chance of making the round of 16.
Leaders of this group, Monaco have five points while Spurs and Leverkusen have four and three respectively. Even bottom-placed CSKA Moscow have a decent chance to of finishing in the top two having two points to their name. This will be a vital game for both Spurs and Leverkusen for their chances of progressing.
The two sides met each other last month at BayArena and Spurs somehow managed a 0-0 draw thanks to the heroics from their skipper Hugo Lloris under the bar. Spurs were dominated by Roger Schmidt’s side that time out and will have to come up with much better display in the reverse fixture to put an end to their frustrating run of results.
Team news
Spurs
Tottenham could welcome Harry Kane back to the match day squad for the visit of Bayer Leverkusen. Toby Alderweireld is doubtful for the game, though. Erik Lamela is expected to return to the match day squad after missing this weekend’s game with illness.
Bayer Leverkusen
Vladlen Yurchenko, Omer Toprak, Lars Bender, Jonathan Tah, Karim Bellarabi and Joel Pohjanpalo are all unavailable with injuries.
Predicted Lineups
Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli, Lamela; Son.
Bayer Leverkusen (4-4-2): Leno; Henrichs, Jedvaj, Dragovic, Wendell; Brandt, Aranguiz, Kampl, Calhanoglu; Volland, Hernandez.
Key players
Spurs- Christian Eriksen
Spurs are going through a difficult spell and to pick themselves out of it, they need their magician to fire. Yes, Christian Eriksen needs to pick up his game in order to drag Spurs out of the poor spell. The Dane has been below par this season having just two goals and three assists to his name from 13 games in all competitions.
Bayer Leverkusen- Javier Hernandez
13 games, 7 goals and 2 assists- Chicharito’s figures speak for how well he has done for the German contingent this season. The former Manchester United star knows English football very closely and will be keen to impress in his return to England.
Odds
Tottenham win: 19/20
Draw: 13/5
Bayer Leverkusen win: 3/1
