What Tottenham need to qualify for the Champions League knockouts via a top eight finish tonight
There’s so much on the line for Tottenham this week as they take on Frankfurt in the final league phase game in the Champions League.
Going into the game, Spurs are sat in fifth place out of the 32-team roster and stand a great chance of qualifying automatically for the next round as part of the top eight.
Making it through in the Champions League will be the only way Spurs can have any hope of winning a trophy this season, however unlikely that may feel.
Progress will also be crucial for Thomas Frank in keeping his job. And, while everything is in Tottenham’s hands, they cannot afford to slip up on Wednesday night.
Tottenham are in precarious position in Champions League
As we look ahead to Frankfurt vs Spurs, there’s no denying things look good for the Lilywhites. But, it could all fall apart very easily.
With 14 points on the board, Spurs could possibly finish as high as third in the table if they beat Frankfurt and results go their way – namely, if Liverpool and Real Madrid lose.
However, we have to be wary of the fact that a whopping eight teams sit just one point behind Tottenham heading into the final game.
PSG, Newcastle, Chelsea, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Man City, Atletico Madrid, and Atalanta are all on 13 points and any one of them could leapfrog Spurs if Frank doesn’t get a win this week. Inter Milan and Juventus (both on 12 points) could also usurp the Lilywhites.
Even a draw would not be ideal and certainly wouldn’t guarantee a spot in the top eight for Spurs. Indeed, on paper, we would at least expect Barcelona to beat Copenhagen, Man City to beat Galatasaray, and Atalanta to beat Union St-Gilloise. Atletico Madrid should also win at home to Bodo/Glimt, but you never know, given the Norwegian side got the better of Man City last week.
Those results alone, twinned with Spurs dropping points, would be enough to push the Lilywhites into the play-off places and put more pressure on Frank’s side.
Spurs have a good record vs Frankfurt
We should be feeling relatively confident of a Spurs win, though. They’ve been great in the Champions League this season, and have a strong record against Frankfurt.
The two sides have met six times throughout their history, with Spurs winning three and drawing two. They haven’t lost to the German side since 1982 and even got past them last season on their way to the Europa League final.
There’s a chance Frankfurt will field a weakened team against Spurs, which would help matters. But, of course, Tottenham have their own injury problems, with 12 first-team stars expected to miss out.
No matter who is playing, this will be a tense affair on foreign soil for Spurs. Frank and his men will need to be at their very best to secure a win, but a positive result and progress in the competition would go a long way to appeasing the fans.
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