Gary Lineker has predicted that Tottenham will be knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund over the next few weeks.
Spurs play against the Bundesliga leaders in the first leg of their round of 16 knock-out clash at Wembley on Wednesday night before travelling to Germany on March 5 for the second leg.
Lineker believes that Dortmund are in the driving seat to win the tie over two legs, claiming that the draining effect of Tottenham still playing at Wembley could have an impact on the squad having already had an impact on the club’s supporters.
“Spurs have done brilliantly in the Premier League especially when you consider the injuries they have had and losing a couple of cup ties in quick succession. To bounce back from that with two late victories, one coming from behind, without Harry Kane and Dele Alli, was a bloody good effort,” Lineker said on the iNews website.
“Spurs have a decent squad but they don’t have what City have, they don’t have two and a half teams. And they don’t even have a proper home ground. You can see even Spurs fans are fed up of going to Wembley now. Dortmund will be really tough for them but they do continue to surprise. People say “oh Tottenham will let you down in the end” but they have shown great grit and character all season.
“If they could get Kane back, perhaps for the second leg, that would give them a great chance. Dortmund are flying, playing fast exciting football. Tottenham are second favourites but I don’t think they are that far behind. If my mortgage depended on it I would pick Dortmund but not with any great confidence.”
OPINION
People keep talking about Tottenham missing the key duo of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, but since their injuries, Mauricio Pochettino’s men have revived their Premier League title bid with four league victories in a row. Yes, Spurs were knocked out of both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in January while the two players were sidelined, but Pochettino should have named stronger starting line-ups in those games, regardless of Kane and Alli’s injuries. Dortmund are flying but they are definitely beatable. They bottled a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Hoffenheim on Saturday, making in three wins in a row without victory for the Bundesliga leaders. Tottenham are in much better form and players like Heung-min Son and Christian Eriksen could turn the tide in the favour of the North London club if they are on top of their game. Don’t write off Spurs just because Kane and Alli are out.