@TMT_DEHINBO Previews Monaco v Tottenham

By Timothy Dehinbo

Tottenham will go to France for their must-win Champions League trip against AS Monaco full of confidence following their dramatic London derby win against West Ham.

Harry Kane scored a late brace to turn a potentially damaging Premier League defeat into a surprise win last Saturday, but Mauricio Pochettino’s injury-hit squad must regroup for another huge midweek test.

Spurs sit on four points after four games in Group E, and a defeat in the French principality on Wednesday would see Monaco qualify for the last-16 and also leave Bayer Leverkusen with the chance to progress if they defeat the Russian club CSKA Moscow.

Pochettino’s men will be more confident with Kane back leading the line in fine goal-scoring form, but Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco will be no pushovers having secured a 2-1 win against Spurs at Wembley back in September.

Spurs striker Kane says he is ready to play against Monaco and Chelsea next weekend after inspiring his side to the 3-2 win over West Ham following his comeback from injury.

Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela are out for Spurs, meaning Eric Dier should continue in central defence alongside Jan Vertonghen. Dele Alli was an unused substitute against West Ham and may get minutes with Spurs’
Champions League hopes on the line, but Pochettino has a few selection dilemma with a crunch clash against Chelsea just four days later.

Kieran Trippier has stared every European game at right-back, but Pochettino may be tempted to deploy first-choice Kyle Walker in a bid to get a result.

Joao Moutinho, Almamy Toure and Nabil Dirar are all doubts for Monaco. The game is really going to be tough, goals from both teams look likely.

PREDICTION: AS MONACO 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR