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Tottenham look to get things back on track as they welcome Sporting to north London in the Champions League tonight. Antonio Conte’s side go into the match having suffered back-to-back defeats against Manchester United and Newcastle, producing concerns displays at both ends of the pitch.
Spurs were also beaten by Sporting in Portugal earlier this season but still sit top of Group D, even if only three points separate top from bottom. Victory tonight would be enough to send them into the knockout stages, and if it’s coupled with an Eintracht Frankfurt win over Marseille then Tottenham will be confirmed as group winners with a match to spare.
Sporting have suffered consecutive defeats to Marseille, picking up three red cards across those matches, but will be looking to pick up another positive result against Spurs to take their bid for qualification to the final round of matches next week. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below.
Live updates
How it stands in Group D
If you want the quick version, it’s extremely tight. Tottenham are top with seven points, with Eintracht Frankfurt bottom but only three points behind.
Spurs will book their place in the last 16 if they win tonight, and if Frankfurt also beat Marseille then Antonio Conte’s side will be confirmed as group winners with a match to spare.
If the hosts fall short against Sporting though, it starts to get a bit messy. It would leave Tottenham having to go to Marseille next week and a get a result just to get out of the group.
It’s in Spurs’ hands as it stands – that’s all that really matters for now.
This season’s Champions League winner is…
No surprise that Manchester City are backed to finally go all the way in Europe this season, with Pep Guardiola’s side already safely through to the knockout stages as group winners.
Bayern Munich and PSG well-fancied – not much love for Tottenham though. That might chance if they actually get through to the last 16, which is far from certain as it stands.
Latest Champions League winner odds:
Man City: 15/8
Bayern Munich: 5/1
PSG: 6/1
Liverpool: 7/1
Real Madrid: 11/1
Chelsea: 13/1
Napoli: 16/1
Tottenham: 25/1
Odds via Betfair
Evening Standard prediction
Spurs played some of their best football of the season before Newcastle’s controversial opener at the weekend, but the lack of response will have concerned Conte. His squad simply need to improve in midweek and have the tools to do so, and should do with a knockout stage spot up for grabs.
Sporting are depleted, along with Spurs, but missing numbers in defence and in key man Goncalves will prove the difference.
Spurs to win 2-0.
Sporting team news
Sporting are without both Pedro Goncalves and Ricardo Esgaio, who are suspended after being sent off against Marseille. Goalkeeper Antonio Adan is available after serving his own suspension.
Paulinho should make his first Champions League start of the campaign, but key defender Sebastian Coates has been ruled out.
Tottenham team news
Spurs will again be missing both Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski in attack, so Harry Kane and Heung-min Son will lead the line in a 3-5-2.
Both Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cristian Romero will need to be assessed ahead of the game though Oliver Skipp impressed against Newcastle in his first start of the season. Ivan Perisic should be called upon at left-back after Ryan Sessegnon started at the weekend.
Predicted Tottenham XI (3-5-2): Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Bissouma, Bentancur, Perisic; Son, Kane.
How to watch Tottenham vs Sporting
TV channel: The match will be televised on BT Sport 3, with coverage starting at 7.15pm.
Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will be able to watch the match online via the BT Sport website or app.
Live blog: You can follow all the action right here, with Dan Kilpatrick providing expert analysis from the ground.
Good evening!
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham vs Sporting in the Champions League.
Big night for Spurs, who come into it after two poor performances and defeats against Manchester United and Newcastle, but victory tonight and they will be through to the knockout stages.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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