Champions League: Why Spurs have great opportunity to beat Real Madrid

Follow us on Google Discover

Tottenham have a really great chance to beat Real Madrid and move ever closer to topping their Champions League group.

Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur and Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid battle for possession during the UEFA Champions League group H match.

Tottenham Hotspur go into their Champions League clash with Real Madrid with a superb opportunity to win and move to the top of what seemed a very tough group.

Spurs are currently tied with Wednesday’s (November 1) opponents at the top of Group H with seven points, ahead of Borussia Dortmund and APOEL Nicosia.

Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks on during the Premier League match against Manchester United.

Although the North Londoners are on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League, Madrid are arguably even more devoid of confidence after their own 2-1 La Liga loss to Girona.

There are real similarities between the two sides’ starts to the new season, with both in third in their respective divisions with 20 points from ten matches and eight points off the leaders.

However, whereas for Tottenham they are once again overachieving to be competing with big spenders Manchester City, United and Chelsea, Zinedine Zidane’s men are expected to be at least level with rivals Barcelona, if not ahead of them.

Head coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid CF looks on before the Copa del Rey, Round of 32, First Leg match against Fuenlabrada.

It is why football journalist Raphael Honigstein believes Zidane is under great pressure, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “Managers have been fired for far less misdemeanours than finishing eight points behind Barcelona. It’s unforgivable.

“Everything he has done before will count for absolutely nothing if he doesn’t improve the league form.

“So Zidane has his work cut out absolutely.”

Mauricio Pochettino and his team have a real opportunity to lay down a marker and their European credentials when a vulnerable Los Blancos visit Wembley Stadium, which is a scenario that doesn’t come around very often.