Champions League betting – Spurs vs AC Milan

Spurs vs Milan betting preview, odds and tips

Tottenham Hotspurs: League Position: 5th, League Form: WWWLD

Ask any football fan how a team should prepare for a crucial Champions League knockout tie against the might of AC Milan and their response would not be a defeat at Blackpool followed by a draw at Wolves. Since triumphantly outplaying the Italian giants in their own backyard at the San Siro, Tottenham’s defence has shown itself to be weaker than originally thought. They need only a clean sheet to progress through the round, they’ve let in six goals in the past two games against two of the poorer teams the Premier League has to offer.

The positives are there for all to see, and their attacking nature and outstanding pace were highlighted all the more against their stagnate opponents in the first leg of this tie. Joint top scorers of the group stages, they were always likely to threaten Milan. In a controversial game it was of no surprise to English football fans to see Aaron Lennon rip a tired Milan backline to shreds with raw pace before presenting Peter Crouch with an unmissable chance. He took it, and Tottenham got a result they deserved. A performance of anywhere near the amount of class will ensure them safe passage, especially with Bale and Van Der Vaart both likely to return.

AC Milan: League Position: 1st, League Form: DWWWW

The story of Milan’s group stage varies massively to that of Tottenham. Earning only eight points, they scored only seven goals, conceding that same amount, and did the Italian thing; just enough. However, they could barely handle Spurs, and there is no doubt they will be a little bit scared.

Without Pirlo, Ambrosini and Gattuso, rightfully charged for his ridiculous behaviour in the last tie, Milan have lost their core, their most experienced and successful players, although Flamini and Van Bommel can add much of the bite Gattuso’s absence. They will again rely on Ibrahimovic and Robinho to go out and win them the game, with Seedorf, Pato and Cassano as options on who will support them.

Unbeaten since December in domestic football, they’ve only lost three league games this season, and the Tottenham defeat was their first in 11 games. They cannot be accused of weakness away from home either, having this weekend travelled to Turin to defeat Juventus 1-0. Safe to say, they don’t feel this tie is over. And they may be right.

Match Prediction: Tottenham Win – 2.25 Paddy Power

Form and statistics can tell you a lot of things, but so can 90 minutes of football. Tottenham were superior across the park in the San Siro during the first leg, and they seem to have a style to stifles Europe’s finest. Attack is the best form of defence according to many, and there’s no doubt a Harry Redknapp side will play to attack.

As for the tie as a whole, Milan need to score, and two would do them very handy. Their defensive instincts may need to be thrown away. This is why this tie intrigues, both sides could do with learning a little from the other. The absence of Pirlo, Ambrosini and, to a lesser extent, Gattuso limits Milan’s midfield influence, but it’s the pace of Spurs they seem to struggle with. Lennon showed them before why he’s dangerous, and the possibility of combining him with Bale in this match could be electrifying.

Peter Crouch got the decider in the reverse fixture, and got under his opponents skin all evening. They couldn’t handle his lofty frame, or his elegant touch, and he’s overpriced at 8.00 to repeat the first goalscoring trick, especially with the width Tottenham play with at home.

There should be goals, Milan need them and Spurs can’t help but search for them, even if it means conceding a few on current form.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 2.00 Bet Fred
First Goalscorer: Peter Crouch – 8.00 Sky Bet
Correct Score: Tottenham to win 3-1 – 19.00 Blue Sq
Both teams to score: Yes – 1.83 Sky Bet

By Chris Wilkerson

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