Charlie Nicholas has predicted Tottenham to just edge past Apoel Nicosia on Tuesday night in the Champions League and is expecting it to be a difficult encounter.
Spurs travel to Cyprus for a European clash and will be hoping to strengthen their position in their Champions League group.
They managed to beat Borussia Dortmund at home in the opening fixture and now face an Apoel side that last 3-0 to Real Madrid in their first group game.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side will start as favourites for the midweek clash, despite being away from home and having seven senior players unavailable.
Christian Eriksen will miss the Apoel game due to illness, while Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen are both suspended.
Four other senior players in the shape of Victor Wanyama, Mousa Dembele, Danny Rose and Erik Pamela are also absent with injuries.
Sky Sports pundit Nicholas has backed Spurs to win 2-1 away to Apoel despite their squad limitations, but is expecting a very difficult contest for them.
“I saw people questioning Dele Alli’s performance against West Ham but I think it was the same last season when him and Kane took a while to get going,” Nicholas told Sky Sports. “His absence through suspension, along with Jan Vertonghen, is definitely a concern.
“What they’ll get here is a physical scrap. APOEL will be awkward to break down and well organised, so I think it could be a tight night for Spurs.”
OPINION
There are never normally any easy away games in the Champions League and Spurs must be fully prepared ahead of Tuesday night. Pochettino may be tempted to make wholesale changes to rest key players for the Premier League, but the Champions League also needs to be prioritised by the North London club. They made a brilliant start with a win over Borussia Dortmund and reaching the knockout rounds has to be a minimum aim. Apoel are likely to ask questions of the Spurs defence on the counter and will hope to make it a difficult contest for them, with the Premier League side unlikely to get much room in the final third.