Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Ludogorets Razgrad 8pm, Thursday.
I've just heard that Deigo Maradona has died today. May he rest in peace. I've seen him play for Spurs (Ossie's Testimonial & The Rest of the World v The Football League at Wembley).
Venue: Tottenham
Hotspur Stadium
Before we go into that match, some news about fans coming back into the
stadium. As you all have probably read we will be allowed back into the stadium,
one caveat though; it will be limited to 4,000. Which, according to my
calculations could end up costing the club more money (they will still have to
employ staff, security, police etc.). Also; we have a 62,000+ seater stadium,
which means that it is doubtful that you will get more than one peak this season
(also depending on when this panic is over).
Jose Mourinho says the return of supporters to games provides "a
good feeling" for his players and for the "passion of the fans".
True. Something Is better than nothing though.
As I said, a maximum of 4,000 fans will be allowed at outdoor events in
tier one areas when the four-week lockdown in England ends on 2 December. Up to
2,000 people will be permitted in tier two areas but none in tier three.
Mourinho responded to this with, "First we have to see which tier
London is to see how many fans we can have at a home match".
The capacity across indoor and outdoor locations is limited to 50%, and
a decision on which areas are in which tiers is expected this Thursday. So
there you have it.
To the Europa match.
We are currently at the top of Group J on goal difference, with three
teams level on six points after three matches. On top of that, we go into this
match being at the top of the English league. This should boost our confidence even
more, and no doubt we'll fight like men possessed.
There had been doubts over the match taking place, with reports in
Bulgaria suggesting some Ludogorets players had tested positive for
coronavirus. However, that seems not to be true.
Team News
Sadly we will be without defender Toby Alderweireld when we play
Ludogorets. He suffered a groin injury in the 2-0 win over Manchester City on
Saturday, but it is not as bad as first feared. "He has a muscular injury
but not as big as we initially thought," said Spurs boss Jose Mourinho. He
then went on and said, "He will
have time to be out, but not like a month which was immediately what we
thought. I would say between two and four weeks. It's bad news. He was playing
his best football. He's an important player that we'll miss."
Matt Doherty is available again following a positive coronavirus test
while on international duty, but Mourinho says forward Erik Lamela remains
absent with a foot injury. Apart from that, we are ready to go. We have a good
squad that should be able to cover every eventuality.
I am also expecting Bale to start.
My prediction 4-0.
I am expecting us to go out and clinically take this team apart and I
am hoping for a high scoring game.
The best of the
stats
Tottenham have won both of their previous meetings with Bulgarian
opposition (2-1 v Lokomotiv Plovdiv, 3-1 v Ludogorets), with this the first
time they've hosted a Bulgarian side.
Ludogorets have lost four of their five meetings with English sides in
all competitions (D1), conceding 16 goals in the process. Their only previous
visit to London ended in a 6-0 defeat by Arsenal in October 2016.
None of our past 16 home games in European competition has ended in a
draw - we have won 11 and lost five. There have been 62 goals in these 16
games, with us scoring 40 and conceding 22.
Ludogorets have conceded four goals via set-pieces this season in the
Europa League, the most of any side.
Ludogorets have faced the most shots of any side in the Europa League
so far this season (62), while only five sides have had more attempts at goal
than Tottenham (50).
So, there you have it. No doubt us fans are excited about this match. I
will be watching the game on my phone app, as I did the previous Europa games.
Until next time,
take care and Up the Spurs!!!!
Glenn
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