Former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Michael Owen has shared his prediction ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League semi final first leg between Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax,
Mauricio Pochettino is without the services of six first team players for the visit of the Dutch outfit and will have limited options to shuffle his side following Saturday’s lethargic defeat to West Ham United, which was the first at their new 62,062 capacity seater stadium.
Ajax travel to London fully rested having not played at the weekend following Dutch official’s decision to postpone Eredivisie matches to give the Amsterdam-based side the best possible chance against Tottenham (The Sun).
They were due to play relegation-threatened De Graafschap just two days before heading to London while Spurs had to play in the Premier League against West Ham United on Saturday.
It was a tired display from Pochettino’s side in North London against the Hammers and they will certainly have to up their game if they still want to be in the tie come the second leg next Wednesday.
Despite injuries, Owen has tipped Tottenham to win the first leg.
He said on his BetVictor blog: “Ajax are the first side to win at both Real Madrid and Juventus in the same season in European competition and they are also the first side to qualify from two knockout rounds of the European Cup/Champions League having failed to win the first leg at home.
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“Spurs have won eight of their last 10 Champions League home games – including the last four – but they lost their perfect home record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when West Ham took all three points in the Premier League at the weekend.
“I expect Spurs to take a lead back to Amsterdam next week, but this young Dutch side will fancy their chances of finding the back of the hosts’ net in what promises to be an open entertaining clash with chances at both ends.”
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