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We wanted the high profile, high-stakes Champions League matches this season, and we’re getting them. Tottenham Hotspur enter into today’s “home” match against Bayer Leverkusen at Wembley Stadium needing a win in order to feel comfortable about their chances of escaping the group stages of the Champions League, and there are some major questions about the team heading into it.
Spurs haven’t lost in the Premier League, but they have dropped matches against Monaco at Wembley and were raked over the coals by Bayer two weeks ago in Germany. They’re winless in their last five matches in all competitions, and head to Wembley today minus their best striker in Harry Kane, best defender in Toby Alderweireld, and arguably best pressing midfielder (assuming Erik Lamela doesn’t play today).
Without Alderweireld anchoring the back line and Eric Dier in the midfield, Spurs have looked offensively adrift and without ideas. And now they’re up against a very good Bayer team that already has the blueprints on how to beat Spurs. Not great, Bob.
It’s not all gloom and doom, however. The first half in Germany was very good and if Spurs can recapture some of the magic that they used to annihilate Manchester City, then today’s game could be a watershed moment as they head towards Sunday’s North London Derby. If they’re going to start turning things around, though, now would be a very good time.
COYS!
Lineups
#THFC team: Lloris (C); Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Davies; Wanyama, Dembele; Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele; Son. #COYS pic.twitter.com/hPEu5my5dp
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 2, 2016
Subs: Vorm, Carter-Vickers, Rose, Winks, Onomah, Nkoudou, Janssen. #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 2, 2016
Here's the starting XI for #THFCB04! pic.twitter.com/dWjFEQCotY
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) November 2, 2016
How to Watch
Date/time: Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 8:45 p.m. (UK), 3:45 p.m. ET (USA)
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London, UK
Official: Jonas Eriksson (SWE)
TV: Fox Sports 1 (USA), BT Sport 2 / BT Sport 4 HD (UK), beIN Sports (Canada), beIN Sports (Australia), other listings at livesoccertv.com
Streaming: Fox Sports Go / Fox Soccer2Go (USA), BT Sport Live Streaming (UK), beIN Sports Connect / fubo.tv (free 24 hour trial, Canada only)
Radio: Audio streamed at tottenhamhotspur.com, also often at BBC Radio London, BBC Radio 5 Live, and TalkSport
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