Sam Allardyce has predicted that Tottenham will beat Ajax in the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final tonight.
Talking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show (talkSPORT, Tuesday, 6am) he said that Tottenham have got to overcome the barrier that sees them fail on the brink of silverware.
But he also said he would “guarantee” that they scored at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Alan Brazil said a 0-0 would be a good result.
“They can cope with Harry Kane, the squad is good enough,” Allardyce said. “But Ajax are a super team, they’ve shocked everyone and are working with less pressure.
“But, if Spurs want to show what they’re all about… If Spurs fail it’s because they’ve failed themselves. Spurs have to overcome that barrier.
“I expect them to win and I guarantee they will score tonight.”
OPINION
0-0 wouldn’t be the worst result in the world but Tottenham are better than that and can get a lead to take to Ajax next week. Allardyce has “guaranteed” they will score a goal and we can’t see them not registering at least one goal tonight. The preparation against West Ham wasn’t ideal but the players won’t need anyone to lift them for what is an absolutely huge game in the new stadium. One thing they’ll have learned from the quarter-finals is how important a clean sheet is. That saved them when they went to the Etihad against Man City and it could see them through to the finals. Ajax are a great side – they’ve already dumped out Real Madrid and Juventus – but so are Spurs and it’s time for them to stand up and make themselves known on the biggest European stage of them all.