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Apoel can compete with weakened Spurs

Pochettino will make changes

Dele Alli is set to start for Tottenham
Dele Alli is set to start for TottenhamCredit: Laurence Griffiths

Champions League Group H
BT Sport 3, 7.45pm Tuesday

Tottenham's Premier League form has dipped spectacularly during a run of just one win in six games and Mauricio Pochettino will surely decide to put the Champions League first for the rest of the season with Spurs already trailing Manchester City by 18 points.

But that won't be the case when the Lilywhites host Cypriot side Apoel at Wembley in their final group game as Tottenham are already assured of top spot following some stunning Group H displays.

Spurs have beaten Borussia Dortmund at home and away, earned a point against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and outclassed the holders when they came to London last month.


Champions League Group H

Premier League


They also saw off a spirited Apoel effort when Harry Kane chalked up a hat-trick in Nicosia, but the prolific striker is among several likely absentees as Pochettino looks to manage the fitness of his key men.

Kane is set to be joined on the sidelines by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, defender Kieran Trippier and midfield men Eric Dier and Christian Eriksen, but bookmakers still believe that Tottenham should make their class tell, making Spurs 1-4 shots to end their group campaign in style.

Apoel's Champions League ambitions are over for another year but Giorgios Donis's team still have a Europa League place to fight for and a point would be enough if Real beat Dortmund at the Bernabeu.

They produced two resolute defensive performances to limit Die Borussen to a brace of 1-1 draws and they may opt for similar tactics because there's a strong chance that Dortmund, who are struggling under Peter Bosz, will fail to get anything from a trip to the Spanish capital.

The Apoel coach is unlikely to roll the dice against a Spurs team who will be without some of their leading creative players so those expecting a Wembley goalfest could be disappointed.

Under 2.5 goals can be considered but Tottenham still have flair on the pitch with Dele Alli a confirmed starter and Heung-Min Son, Moussa Sissoko and Fernando Llorente in contention, so backing under 3.5 goals in the game could prove to be the smarter play.

Recommendation
Under 3.5 goals
2pts 4-6 Sky Bet

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com


Team news

Tottenham
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Dele Alli will start but Hugo Lloris, Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Eric Dier are set to be rested.

Apoel
Centre-back Carlao (ankle) should be fit after limping out of Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Ermis. Goalkeeper Boy
Waterman is out until 2018.

Key stat
Tottenham have not scored more than two goals in any of their last six matches


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Joe ChampionRacing Post Sport

Published on 5 December 2017inFootball tips

Last updated 17:39, 6 December 2017

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