Tottenham Hotspur vs Real Madrid. UEFA Champions League Group H.
Wembley StadiumAttendance83,782.
Wednesday 1 November 2017 17:44, UK
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League by beating Real Madrid at Wembley on Wednesday.
Mauricio Pochettino's side currently sit top of Group H, ahead of the defending champions on goal difference, after their 1-1 draw with Real at the Bernabeu last time out.
With both teams six points ahead of third-placed Borussia Dortmund and last-placed Apoel Nicosia, victory for either would see them progress to the last 16.
Tottenham have been boosted with the news that in-form striker Harry Kane is hoping to shake off a minor hamstring complaint to face the La Liga champions.
Pochettino said he was "very confident" the England international would feature at Wembley, with the Spurs manager confirming he will make a late decision on the player's fitness ahead of the game.
"He is on the list, we have one day more to assess him," he said. "I think maybe it can be possible he will be available to play tomorrow, but I don't want to be 100 per cent sure about that decision, because we have one day more.
"Today and yesterday were good in training. Now with the medical staff, we will try to make the right decision, because it is important to make the right decision for tomorrow."
Spurs have lost two of their three matches since drawing against Real Madrid, including a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.
Real, meanwhile, suffered a shock 2-1 away defeat to Girona on Sunday that left them eight points behind Barcelona in La Liga.
"We're not going to watch anything related to Girona," said Pochettino. "We only analyse the Champions League games, and 15 days ago when we play against them.
"I think Real Madrid have the capacity and quality to change completely in two days."
Kane will be assessed ahead of the game, but Erik Lamela is available again following a year-long problem with his hips.
However, midfielder Victor Wanyama will definitely miss the clash as he continues his recovery from a knee problem.
Meanwhile, former Spurs star Gareth Bale has been left out of Real's squad after failing to recover from a calf strain.
Madrid are also without centre-back Rafael Varane (muscular) and first-choice 'keeper Keylor Navas with injury and long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Mateo Kovacic remain unavailable after missing the home tie against Spurs.
There is some good news for Zinedine Zidane, though, as attacking midfielder Isco is available for selection, despite coming off with a thigh injury during Madrid's defeat to Girona.
Real Madrid are unbeaten against Tottenham in European competition; they have faced each other five times previously, with Real winning three of them (D2).
Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 30 Champions League group games (W22 D8), their last defeat dating back to October 2012 away against Dortmund.
Real Madrid have failed to score only once in their last 53 Champions League group games (Paris SG 0-0 Real Madrid, October 2015).
Having previously gone four home Champions League games without a win (D1 L3), Spurs have since put two victories back-to-back in such matches.
I would think Harry Kane would be very keen to play this but I would think it would be one hell of a risk. Hamstrings take a long time to settle down fully, even if he does feel fit to play.
Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to play him but he is a strong enough character to think his side are virtually through and if there's any doubt then it is not worth it.
Real Madrid had a shocking result losing to Girona on Sunday and if Kane is fully fit then they are there for the taking. They look all over the place and looking to blame each other, with Sergio Ramos likely to be up to his old tricks and Cristiano Ronaldo unhappy with the physical treatment he'll get from Tottenham's defence.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Kane to score first (30/1 with Sky Bet)
Real Madrid are Sky Bet's 11/10 favourites for the victory with Tottenham priced at 23/10, while another draw is a 13/5 chance. Zinedine Zidane's men are currently 4/1 outright favourites while Spurs have shortened from 33/1 to 25/1 following their impressive European form, which sees them offered at 18/1 to fail to qualify by finishing third. Cristiano Ronaldo heads the first goalscorer betting at 11/4 while Harry Kane's importance is evident from his price of 7/2 to break the deadlock and 10/11 to net anytime.
