Spurs given more rest for Ajax semi

TOTTENHAM are set to receive help from the Premier League in their bid for Champions League glory, with their match against Bournemouth brought forward to allow more preparation time before the semi-final second leg.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino pleaded with the Premier League on Thursday to give his side the same time as Ajax ahead of both semi-final legs.

That will not be the case but the Premier League intend to move Tottenham’s match against Bournemouth, due to be played on Monday May 6, two days before the second leg in Amsterdam. Spurs now expect that match to be on Saturday May 4.

Ajax were due to play De Graafschap tomorrow week, two days before the first leg on April 30. Instead, the Dutch league delayed the full schedule for that weekend until May 15.

Tottenham will still face West Ham at lunchtime a week today, while Ajax have a free weekend to prepare. Pochettino (right) said: ‘We are talking but we’re not expecting much because it is so difficult. ‘For the semi-final, we need to make sure both teams have the same days to prepare for the game if we want to be fair. Both teams deserve the same preparation.’ Pochettino also warned his players not to take their eye off the ball in the race for top-four places. Only three points separate Manchester United in sixth from Tottenham in third and the north Londoners travel to title-chasing Manchester City today. Pochettino said: ‘City are going to fight for a massive thing which is to win the league and the principal challenge is to win the Premier League, for them. ‘For us, we need to think that we must be in the top four next season and that is our challenge. ‘We need to be sure that we are going to be ready to fight them and challenge them, and it will be tough.’