Champions League: Tottenham vs. Werder Bremen Preview
Harry Redknapp’s side has the chance to confirm their place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage with a win against Werder Bremen tonight. The London side will host the German team at White Hart Lane and will be looking
to continue with their good form in the competition. A victory today will guarantee them a place in the last 16 of the European competition.
The Spurs are at the top of Group A on goal difference after successfully seeing off Inter Milan, the defending champions. The Premier League side will be aiming for a fourth win at home in the European competition. They will be
confident going into the match, especially after defeating Inter Milan, which was mainly because of Gareth Bale.
Werder Bremen are at the bottom of the group after suffering a home defeat in their previous match against FC Twente. They head to White Hart Lane hoping to win their first match in the tournament this season. With just three points,
the Bundesliga outfit needs to win tonight if they wish to be able to challenge for a Europa League spot.
Tottenham could be without Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale, who are suffering from an ankle and shoulder injury respectively. They are undoubtedly Spurs best attackers and their absence tonight could affect the team’s performance.
The two were exceptional against London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League over the weekend, but may have over exerted themselves and as a result might not feature tonight.
However, striker Jermain Defoe has returned after two months, following an ankle surgery, and may make a start tonight. Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes will also be available; the Spurs first choice stopper received a red card on match
day three and had to complete a one-game ban. With the return of Defoe and Gomes, it will be a great boost for Harry Redknapp.
Nonetheless, Bremen are missing ten key players; Petri Pasanen is out with a virus, captain Torsten Frings is suspended and strikers Claudio Pizarro and Marko Arnautovic are sidelined with thigh injuries. New arrival Mikael Silvestre
is suffering from back problems and will not be featuring tonight. Because of all these injuries, Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf has had to include several players from the u-23 side to make up for the lack of players.
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