Spurs wait on Kane ahead of Real test
MY FEELING IS GOOD, SAYS COACH POCHETTINO OF STAR STRIKER FOR MADRID CLASH
ottenham Hotspur are anxious about the fitness of leading scorer Harry Kane ahead of Real Madrid’s visit tomorrow in a game that could decide the winner of Group H.
The teams are both on seven points after three matches, having drawn 1-1 at the Bernabeu two weeks ago, but this time Spurs might be without Kane.
The England striker missed Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United on Saturday with a hamstring injury and his absence resulted in a limited attacking display from Mauricio Pochettino’s line-up.
Madrid are experiencing domestic struggles of their own with a surprising 2-1 loss to Girona on Sunday.
However, both Tottenham and Madrid can play with the comfort of a six-point advantage over Borussia Dortmund and Apoel, and either team can advance to the knockout stage with victory.
“With the doctors and the player, we will take the best decision for everyone,” Pochettino said when asked by reporters about Kane’s return. “We must analyse and take the best decision for everyone.
“We will assess him and then we will make the best decision. My feeling is good. But it’s not my feeling, it’s Harry Kane’s feeling.”
Manchester United and Manchester City will be aiming to extend their perfect group stage records. A win for United against Benfica at Old Trafford today could secure progression from Group A, while City can do the same with a win at Napoli in Group F on Wednesday.
Unbeaten Paris Saint-Germain have scored nearly 50 goals this season and will be confident of sealing their place in the knockout stage with a win against Anderlecht.
Having lost the home game 4-0 two weeks ago, Anderlecht have genuine reason to be fearful on Halloween at Parc des Princes in today’s Group B match. PSG have won their three group games without conceding a goal and, at the attacking end, Edinson Cavani is in scintillating scoring form.
Must-win game
Cavani’s two goals against Nice last Friday took his tally to 15 from 13 games overall, including four in the Champions League.
Monaco were last season’s free-scoring team in France, winning the league in style and reaching the European Cup semi-finals with an attack brand of football. But coach Leonardo Jardim’s team would be happy with any win away to Besiktas tomorrow. It’s a mustwin game in Istanbul for Monaco, who are bottom of Group G with just one point. Besiktas could advance to the knockout stage with a win.
Monaco have won both their league games since losing 2-1 at home to Besiktas. With his new-look line-up finally looking like it is starting to gel, and top-scorer Radamel Falcao likely to return after being rested on Saturday, Jardim has some cause for optimism.
While Barcelona and Real Madrid remain in comfortable positions to advance to the knockout stage, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla enter the week needing good results to keep their hopes alive.
Atletico host Qarabag today bidding for their first win in Group C, which has Chelsea and Roma at the top. Atletico, after a disappointing league draw against Villarreal, trail Roma by three points and Chelsea by five.
Sevilla are coming off a demoralising 5-1 loss to Spartak Moscow in Group E, but they get a shot at revenge when the Russian team come to Seville tomorrow. The Spanish club have four points, one less than both Spartak and Liverpool.
This could be Napoli’s year in Serie A, and it might be affecting Romelu Lukaku
WD Standings Man Utd Basel CSKA Benfica
PSG Bayern Celtic Anderlecht
Chelsea Roma Atletico Qarabag
Barcelona Juventus Sporting Olympiacos *Inc. 2017 group stage their Champions League campaign. After six years of domination by Juventus, the Italian league title is a tight contest. Napoli beat Sassuolo 3-1 on Sunday to remain three points ahead of Juventus atop the standings.
But now is the visit of Group F leaders Manchester City and Sarri admits his players are focusing more on domestic matters than Europe’s elite club competition. L Home record in Champions League
“It’s also natural that in the minds of the players they focus more on the competition they’ve got a better chance at, but we must be eager to challenge ourselves against the best and right now Manchester City is the best side in the world,” Sarri said
Juventus are away at Sporting today as they aim to keep within three points of Barcelona in Group D.