Advantage Dortmund
It’s knockout football from here on in as the Champions League hots up but will it be Spurs or Dortmund in the draw for the last eight?
A step too far for Spurs?
In the circumstances, Spurs are coping reasonably well. Exiting both domestic competitions in four days was a hard one to take but even without messrs Kane and Alli, the wins and the points keep coming in the league to keep Spurs in the hunt for a maiden Premier League crown.
Four straight victories against Fulham, Watford, Newcastle and Leicester will certainly see them start confidently against Dortmund at Wembley.
But maybe herein lies the problem. The opposition mentioned amounts to teams Spurs should be seeing off regardless of injuries. And let’s not forget when the opposition was upped in the league cup semi with Chelsea their opponents, they lost.
As impressive as they’ve been during the course of an injury crisis, they’ve just about got over the line and have yet to be stretched. This will surely change when Dortmund visit the capital.
The toast of Germany
Bundesliga leaders Dortmund are not only being egged on by neutrals in Germany because - for once - Bayern Munich have some competition for the league they’ve won six times in a row, they’re playing some attractive football to go with it.
It’s a risk with reward
It’s a risk with reward style The Yellow Wall have been treated to before of course. Jurgen Klopp restored the glory days at Signal Iduna Park with his version of rock ‘n’ roll football and a similar brand of the stuff appears to be working a treat under the guidance of Lucien Favre too.
Despite a recent winless run of three which has allowed Bayern to close the gap and also resulted in a German Cup exit for Die Borussen (on penalties), only two sides have got the better of them so far in 29 games. That’s some going!
Away goal needed
It has come to light that UEFA may scrap the away goals rule from next season with critics arguing that the rule is tipped too far in favour of the away side.
But you can bet on the rule playing a significant part in this season’s competition, not least in this tie where you fancy both sides to go at the opposing backline.
Neither rearguard looked convincing at the weekend; Tottenham were cut apart at times by Leicester and fortunate not to concede more than just the one goal, while Dortmund showed their vulnerability by surrendering a three goal lead at home to Hoffenheim.
The visitors will also be wary of the ever increasing chance that Harry Kane may be fit to return for the second leg. They certainly won’t shoot themselves in the foot by going for the jugular but taking an advantage back to Germany will be a priority with Kane potentially waiting in the wings.
Betting tip
Arguably the tie of the round given the close nature of the two sides - it really could go either way.
This said, I’m sticking my neck out and tipping Dortmund to draw first blood. I feel Spurs, for as good as they’ve coped with the injury setbacks, may just run out of steam against better opposition.
Nick’s bet: Back the visitors with a DNB at handsome odds of 11/8 (2.32) with Unibet. Not only will you more than double your money should Dortmund win, a draw sees your stake returned.
Happy betting!
