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Charlie Nicholas predicts CSKA v Tottenham Hotspur

Mauricio Pochettino and Diego Simeone wait to leave Sapporo on their team bus June 8, 2002. (Reuters)
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Tottenham Hotspur could do with a win in tonight’s visit to Russia.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino celebrates at full time

Charlie Nicholas has told Sky Sports that he expects Tottenham Hotspur to earn a draw in tonight’s Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow.

Tottenham travel to the Russian capital with the knowledge that a defeat could be detrimental for their hopes of reaching the knockout phase of the competition.

They go into the clash after losing their Champions League opener 2-1 to Monaco at Wembley a fortnight ago, but have since restored something of a feel-good factor with narrow Premier League wins over Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough's Adama Traore in action with Tottenham's Ben Davies

With Harry Kane out injured, all eyes will be on Son Heung-min to provide the goals, having netted four times in three games domestically, but missing a player of the 23-year-old’s calibre is always going to negatively affect a team.

Defeat would leave Mauricio Pochettino’s side bottom of Group E and Nicholas warned to Sky Sports that an overly-enthusiastic effort to get the win could backfire tremendously tonight.

Tottenham's Vincent Janssen in action with Middlesbrough's Calum Chambers

“This is a tough game for Spurs and an awkward one because of their opening result. They might feel like they have to really go for it, which is dangerous.

“It’s a good time to go to Moscow in terms of weather, but the travel is still a problem. They didn’t finish the game particularly well against Middlesbrough and there will have been very little time between returning to London and setting off to Russia.

“Heung-Min Son was brilliant on Saturday but I think Spurs will still miss Harry Kane, so I think they’ll have to settle for a draw, which would still be a good result.”

Tottenham's Moussa Sissoko heads at goal