Christian Ziege predicts Tottenham vs Leverkusen, says defence will be key

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The former Spurs star says it is a good time for his old side to play Bayer.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Christian Ziege has told the club’s official website that it is a good time for his old side to play Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Spurs go into tonight’s clash in decent form, remaining unbeaten through their first 10 Premier League fixtures of the season, but they are winless in their last five games in all competitions.

They secured a credible goalless draw at the home of Leverkusen in their last Champions League fixture and know that victory over the German side tonight at Wembley would pull them four points clear of their opponents with just two games remaining.

Leverkusen are unbeaten in the Champions League this term but have drawn all three of their group matches so far, and have been wildly inconsistent so far in the Bundesliga.

Spurs will be without top scorer Harry Kane once more for the clash, but Ziege believes that Spurs’ impressive defensive solidity and high-pressing style of play should see them emerge victorious even in the absence of the England international.

Ziege told the club’s website: “Leverkusen have some difficulties. They are under pressure as they are not performing the way they should because they have some fantastic players. Going forward, they have great quality but they suffer a lot in defence because of a lack of experience.

“They have talented players but at the moment they are going through a difficult time. So, for me, it’s a good time for Tottenham to play Leverkusen. I think if Spurs put on the high press as they always do in the Premier League then Leverkusen could have big problems.

“Both teams can score and in the end, it could be down to who defends better. When I look at the teams, the defence of Tottenham is stronger than the defence of Leverkusen so then it’s about if and how often you can punish the Leverkusen defence.”

If Spurs can indeed secure the victory tonight it would stand them in very good stead to secure progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League, something which has to be seen as a requirement if they hope to kick on this season.