Tottenham vs RB Leipzig
Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 19 February 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London).
Performances may not have been all that convincing, but Tottenham has racked up three wins on the spin and go seven games without defeat in all competitions.
Jose Mourinho was brought in to change the fate of the Spurs', and slowly but surely he reaches it.
Gaps in the Premier League four now stands at one point ahead of Chelsea's match with Manchester United on Monday while waiting house meeting with Norwich City in the last 16 of the FA Cup early next month.
This discard the Champions League showdown with Leipzig into the mix and there is a lot to Tottenham to play in the coming weeks, which means that they have reached their best form at the right time campaign.
The Lilywhites conceded 14 goals in six of their group-stage matches - the highest tally among the teams left in the competition - with half of those goals came a 7-2 defeat at home to Bayern Munich.
Indeed, Stadium Tottenham Hotspur have seen more goals than any other place in the Champions League this season (20 goals - 11 for Tottenham and nine against).
Leipzig is likely to focus on a counterattack in the clashes Wednesday and they seem to have found their scoring touch again after putting three goals past Werder Bremen at the weekend.
That 3-0 win brought an end to a four-match winless run in all competitions that has threatened to derail their campaign somewhat.
julian Nagelsmann man is knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by Eintracht Frankfurt, but they are still within one point of Bundesliga leaders Bayern despite their recent wobble.
Leipzig ahead of a Champions League group that also includes Lyon, Benfica and Zenit St Petersburg, losing only one of their six games.
Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg played a major role in their development, and between them they are responsible for more than half of the 20 goals in the Champions League Leipzig.
To 16 for the first time in their history and the Bundesliga title race wide open, 2019-20 is shaping up to be one to remember for this Nagelsmann side.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Jose Mourinho has been handed a blow ahead of the return of his body Champions League action after Son Heung-min ruled out of the season due to a broken arm. Against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur will be without four first team players, with the attacks, in particular, pose a major concern.
Regardless of the Child, which Mourinho claimed most likely will not feature again this term, Harry Kane also sidelined long-term, due to a hamstring injury. Moussa Sissoko (knee) and Juan Foyth (groin) is another certainty is lost to Tottenham when they take the field against Leipzig.
In the absence of the Son and Kane, Mourinho is down to the bare bones in attack, especially with Erik Lamela also be hesitant to face Leipzig. Lamela will be assessed ahead of the game and if he is not passed fit, Ryan Sessegnon could start in the final third. Steven Bergwijn, Dele Alli and Lucas Moura, though, the automatic picks in attack.
Giovani Lo Celso did not start in the 3-2 win over Aston Villa this past weekend, but had to return to the lineup for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg. Lo Celso Harry must have bounced back briefly to the company in the double pivot midfield, with England midfielder who served harrying Leipzig during their build-up play.
In defense, Serge Aurier, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld that certainty. As for the left-back slot, Ben Davies is fit now and should prefer Japhet tanganga. Hugo Lloris takes itself in purpose and could be in for a busy night.
Possible Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Davies; Lo Celso, Winks; Lamela, Alli, Bergwijn; Moura
RB Leipzig
Like his counterpart in the dugout Tottenham, Julian Nagelsmann have a lot of major injury problems hamper preparations for the Champions League Round of 16 first leg match. On Wednesday, the manager of RB Leipzig will be without four first team players due to fitness problems Dayot Upamecano while also missing due to suspension.
People like Ibrahima Konate (hamstring), Willi Orban (knee), Tyler Adams (calf) and Kevin Kampl (ankle) are on the sidelines. The absence of Konate and Orban for their respective injuries coupled with the suspension of defensive options Nagelsmann Upamecano means is very limited.
As a result, the manager of Leipzig could return to the 4-2-2-2 formation, after preferred 3-4-1-2 lately. Marcel Halstenberg and Lukas Klostermann will play as an emergency center-back, with Angelino be Nordi Mukiele anf full-back pair. Péter gulácsi will be the one between the sticks.
Konrad Laimer is a definite starter in the middle of the park, but in the absence of Adams and Kampl, he could Christopher Nkunku as a partner. Upfront, marcel sabitzer and Emil Forsberg will assume responsibility for most creative, set up the striker, who will be Timo Werner and Patrik Schick.
Possible Lineup (4-2-2-2): Gulacsi; Mukiele, Klostermann, Halstenberg, Angelino; Laimer, Nkunku; Sabitzer, Forsberg; Schick, Werner
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 RB Leipzig
Tottenham have been going against the face side was awarded a run for their money Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season. Now, with the Son Heung-min face spells on the sidelines, the Spurs could be in for a tough night.
RB Leipzig will not have an easy, though, especially considering Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has witnessed some of the special European night. Expect little goalmouth action at both ends of the field.
In the end, however, the lack of options for Mourinho coupled with a strong away record visitors in the Champions League this season means Leipzig must have a bit of an edge, which is why Hard Tackle predict a 2-1 victory for Julian Nagelsmann & co.
Tottenham vs RB Leipzig Betting Tips
Dual Opportunity: Tottenham or Draw @ 1.40 (2/5)
Both Teams Score @ 1.60 (3/5).
