Spurs vs Olympiacos preview, predictions & confirmed team news
Spurs host Olympiacos on Tuesday in Jose Mourinho’s first Champions League game since taking over from Mauricio Pochettino.
The Portuguese’s era in north London got off to the perfect start on Saturday, with Spurs winning 3-2 away at West Ham United and even leading 3-0 at one point before being pegged back late on.
The Lilywhites can seal qualification with a win against the Greek side who, so far, have taken just one point from their four group matches. The objective for them now is to overhaul Red Star Belgrade to seal a Europa League spot, but they will surely take confidence from a draw versus their Premier League opponents earlier this season.
Read on for our Spurs vs Olympiacos preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Spurs vs Olympiacos and where can I watch live?
Competition: Uefa Champions League
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Tuesday, 26 September 2019
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 2
Previous meetings: Spurs vs Olympiacos
18 Sep 2019: Olympiacos 2-2 Tottenham (Uefa Champions League)
08 Nov 1972: Olympiacos 1-0 Tottenham (Uefa Cup)
25 Oct 1972: Tottenham 4-0 Olympiacos (Uefa Cup)
Aggregate Score: Tottenham (DLW) 6-3 Olympiacos (DWL)
Ones to watch
Spurs: Dele Alli
He’s had his critics, but Dele Alli has shown signs of improvement recently and really looked back to his old self against West Ham at the weekend.
The England international assisted Spurs’ first goal and pulled off a wonderful flick in the build-up for the second, earning a glowing reference from an impressed Mourinho after the match.
A strong showing in the Champions League to back that up will only increase Alli’s confidence further – and see him take another step towards ‘golden boy’ status under Mourinho.
Key stat: Alli has been directly involved in three goals in his last four Spurs appearances, scoring one and assisting two.
Olympiacos: Konstantinos Tsimikas
Mourinho looks set to field both Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura, meaning Spurs will be deadly from wide areas.
Left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas will be charged with keeping these wing wizards quiet on Tuesday, while manager Pedro Martins will be relying on him getting down the flanks if and when Olympiacos have the chance to counter-attack.
Key stat: Tsimikas has made more interceptions (11) and tackles (10) than any other Olympiacos player during this season’s Champions League group stages.
Team news
Spurs
Tanguy Ndombele was a doubt having struggled with a groin injury, and is only fit for a spot on the bench. Meanwhile Ben Davies – who came off during the win over West Ham with a muscle problem – misses out completely, being replaced by Danny Rose.
There is also a place on the bench for Jan Vertonghen, with Mourinho only making one change from his first XI.
Confirmed XI: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose; Dier, Winks, Alli; Lucas, Son; Kane.
Jose Mourinho pleased with early Spurs progress
Olympiacos
Olympiacos are without midfielder Konstantinos Fortounis, who has been out since July with a cruciate ligament rupture and isn’t expected to return until January.
Other than that, Martins has a fully fit squad to choose from, with Mathieu Valbuena – key to the first game – on the bench.
Confirmed XI: Sa; Omar, Meriah, Semedo, Tsimikas; Guilherme, Camara, Andreas; Podence, Masouras, El Arabi.
Squawka prediction
For 73 minutes on Saturday, Spurs were absolutely fantastic and dominated West Ham.
Mourinho has attributed their late wobble against Hammers to the stress caused by the events of the past week but after some more time on the training pitch with his players, don’t expect that to happen again here.
A comfortable win and qualification for the Champions League knockout rounds is on the cards for the hosts.
Scoreline prediction: Spurs 3-0 Olympiacos
