Hardly anyone expected Young Boys to play as well as they
did in the first leg, as they thoroughly outmatched Harry Redknapp's Tottenham
from the opening whistle.
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The Spurs fought back as the game wore on and were able to
bring the score back to 3-2 in favor of the Swiss side.
Those two goals will make Tottenham's task much easier come
Wednesday as the Londoners aim to reach the group stages of the Champions
League.
Now back in the comfortable confines of White Hart Lane, the
Spurs will need a comprehensive victory to seal progression and further
lucrative paydays.
Paddy Power lists Tottenham's chances of advancing at 1/5
while Young Boys are priced at 3/1.
In terms of the outcome of the actual match, the Spurs are
seen as 2/9 favorites to beat the Swiss outfit with the underdogs at a dubious
11/1 odds.
Redknapp's players looked out of sync on the artificial
surface in Bern and quickly saw themselves down 3-0 within the first 30 minutes
before eventually clawing their way back. The squad should fare much better in
a familiar atmosphere back in London.
Jermain Defoe, who has been battling a nagging groin injury,
was rested for Tottenham's league encounter against Stoke City but his
availability for Wednesday's crucial European clash is still in doubt. If the
nifty forward does suit up, he is the favorite to score at 8/13 odds.
Fellow strikers Roman Pavlyuchenko (ankle) and Robbie Keane
(knee) as well as playmaker Luka Modric (groin) may also miss out which would
leave the Spurs well below full strength.
See how the injuries effect the betting on the Golden Boot in the Premier League
Trusty defender Ledley King was given the weekend off and
should slot back into the starting lineup while new signing William Gallas
cannot play after arriving after the registration deadline.
Gareth Bale, who spared the team's blushes with a brace
against Stoke, is certain to feature and is worth a look at 11/4 to find the
net yet again on Wednesday.
Young Boys will likely roll with Henri Bienvenu up front who
scored in the first affair back in Switzerland. You can find odds of 3/1 that
he will get another goal at White Hart Lane.
David Degen (9/2) and Senad Lulic (15/2) could also get on
the scoresheet for the Swiss squad after the pair caused all sorts of problems
against the Londoners last week in Bern.
Tottenham's refusal to give up in the opening leg has given
the Spurs the critical advantage of having scored two away goals. Even a 1-0
victory on Wednesday will be enough to see Harry Redknapp's crew advance.
The Spurs now control their own fate and only have
themselves to blame if they cannot pull through with the win. Expect a pulsating
match as these two teams battle to stay alive in the biggest competition in
club football.
PREDICTION:
Tottenham 3 Young Boys 1
AGGREGATE:
Tottenham 5 Young Boys 4
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