Tottenham v Leverkusen: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Article summary
Wembley "needs to inspire us", said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, mindful that his side "need to take the three points" at home against Leverkusen to breathe life into their campaign.
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Article body
- Pochettino reckons it is a must-win fixture for Tottenham
- Spurs five games without a victory, failing to score from open play in that time
- Leverkusen have drawn all three of their group matches to date
- The teams drew 0-0 when they met in Germany a fortnight ago
Possible line-ups
Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama, Dembélé; Son, Alli, Eriksen; Janssen.
Out: Alderweireld (knee), Kane (ankle)
Doubtful: Lamela (illness)
Leverkusen: Leno; Henrichs, Toprak, Jedvaj, Wendell; Baumgartlinger, Aranguiz; Volland, Kampl, Brandt; Hernández.
Out: L Bender (heel), Kruse (thigh), Pohjanpalo (foot), Bellarabi (groin)
Doubtful: Toprak (muscular problems), Tah (muscular problems)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham manager
We need to be clever now, to play with intensity from the first moment of the game. [Wembley] needs to inspire us: 90,000 people that support you and are behind you must be a big problem for our opponents. It's important for us because we understand that this game will be key.
We understand that Leverkusen are a very good team. It'll be tough but we are conscious that we need to take the three points if we want to go to the next round.
Roger Schmidt, Leverkusen coach
We're really looking forward to playing here at this very special venue. Wembley is truly a highlight. Obviously it's an important game and it's down to us to show what we can do on the pitch. We want to perform to our best and if we perform as we can then we have a very good chance.
We know from the first game how tough Tottenham are, but we showed in the second half that we can cause them problems. We'll be looking to do the same again here. We know that Tottenham are outstanding in the transition. But so are we.
Weekend results
Tottenham 1-1 Leicester (Janssen 44p; Musa 48)
Spurs have not won in five games in all competitions – four of those games in draws – after Vincent Janssen's second penalty conversion in four days was not enough to unsettle fellow group-stage contenders Leicester.
Wolfsburg 1-2 Leverkusen(Arnold 37; Mehmedi 79, Jedvaj 83)
Tin Jedvaj's first strike since August 2014 clinched a comeback victory for Leverkusen, who had not won in their previous four outings, and lost out to lower-league opponents on penalties in the German Cup in midweek.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Tottenham: DWDDDL
Leverkusen: WDLDLW
Reporter's view: Daniel Thacker (@UEFAcomDanielT)
Without a win in five, Tottenham welcome Leverkusen to Wembley for perhaps the Lilywhites' biggest match of the season so far. Pochettino has repeatedly stressed the need for his side to be sharper in front of goal, although the Argentinian also confirmed that Harry Kane will not be included in the squad for this one. The onus is therefore on Heung-Min Son, Dele Alli and Janssen to find their shooting boots if Spurs are to take a major step towards progressing from a tight Group E.
Did you know?
Tottenham's heaviest European defeat came in Germany – an 8-0 loss in 1995. Find out more in our in-depth match background.