It was about a fortnight ago that Tottenham Hotspur absolutely rolled Red Star Belgrade, 5-0 in Champions League group stage play. Now comes the reverse fixture, in Serbia, which sees Spurs sitting second in the group B standings, one point ahead of third place Red Star.
This is a critical match, in terms of who advances to the knockout round, to say the least. That’s why it’s absolutely critical that Tottenham talisman and centre forward Harry Kane get right in time for this clash. Kane is battling a virus that keeps his status in doubt for this one.
Central defender Jan Vertonghen is also a doubt, due to a hamstring injury while goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris is ruled out until after the calendar flips (elbow injury).
Also, forward Heung-min Son might be given the night off given what happened on the weekend at Everton.
The South Korean left the pitch at Goodison Park in tears and holding his head in shame after he was shown a red card and sent off for his challenge on Andre Gomes.
Son definitely seems like one of the good guys in the game, so no doubt he felt AWFUL for all the damage accidentally inflicted on Gomes, who clearly suffered a very serious injury.
Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction: Gazzaniga; Walker-Peters, Alderweireld, Foyth, Rose; Winks, Dier; Lucas, Alli, Lo Celso; Kane
Tottenham Hotspur vs Red Star Belgrade FYIs
Kickoff: Nov. 6, 8pm Red Star Stadium
Google’s result probability: Tottenham Hotspur win 57%, Draw 24%, Red Star Belgrade victory 19%
Form Guide: Tottenham- WLD Red Star Belgrade- LWL
Prediction: Tottenham 3, Red Star Belgrade 0
Even with all the turmoil and poor form recently, Spurs have enough of a talent and depth advantage to get a very positive result here. They certainly did so in the reverse fixture.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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