Tottenham Hotspur vs Ajax, CL Semi-Final 1st Leg, RTE2, VM Sport, BT Sport 1, 8pm

Mr.Nice Guy

1st Leg Match Odds

Tottenham 6/5
Draw 9/4
Ajax 23/10

To qualify

Tottenham evens
Ajax 4/5

It's a semi-final warming the hearts of many neutrals as Spurs and Ajax prepare to do battle for a place in the Champions League final. Both teams have defied the odds to get here and are three games away from an extraordinary triumph.

The home side go into the game once more without their talisman Harry Kane, while Heung-Min Son picked up a costly booking against City that sees him suspended this evening. Harry Winks and Serge Aurier miss out with injuries but Jan Vertonghen is set to return against his old side, while Moussa Sissoko has trained. Noussair Mazraoui is considered a doubt for the visitors.

As well as Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld are all former Ajax players and it should be an extra special tie for them. It will be particularly interesting to see if old Ajax favourite Eriksen or the new star Frenkie de Jong shines brightest over the two legs.

How do you see the game going? I'm picking Tottenham to advance to the final but I think the first leg might be a somewhat cagey affair. I'll say 1-1 tonight.

GLaDOS

Hope Ajax can produce some more of the football they displayed against Real and Juve. Would be a bit of a fairytail if Ajax could get to the final.

Mr.Nice Guy

Teams are in:

Tottenham XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama, Dele Alli, Eriksen; Llorente, Lucas Moura.

Ajax XI: Onana; Veltman, De Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico; Schone, Frenkie De Jong, Van de Beek; Ziyech, Tadic, Neres.

Sissoko and Mazraoui make the respective benches. Not a lot of firepower amongst Tottenham's subs due to the injuries and suspensions, so up to the first team to do the business.

Just over an hour to go until kick-off.

Agent Coulson

van der Sar asking Son for a selfie lol

NIMAN

Really split on this, as a neutral.

I'd love to see both of them win!!

But if I had to pick one, would have to plump for Ajax.

Shanotheslayer

As a neutral going for Spurs here. Would like them to win the CL as well if not Barca

DJIMI TRARORE

Gonna be a tough night for Spurs,just hope they can keep the tie alive. Can see Poch setting up defensively,which will only encourage Ajax

Arghus

Richard Dunne speaks like he's in room with a sleeping baby.

martyos121

A more defensive performance would be wise for Spurs tonight, prevent the away goal while your best forwards are unavailable and try to hit them in the ArenA next week with Son back in the team.

I don’t think Poch will be setting his team up to be cautious though. Ajax could do some real damage on the counter attack. I’ll go for 1-2 or 0-2.

NIMAN

Can Poch do cautious?
Its not in their nature.

As a gooner, I want Ajax to hockey them : D

Agent Coulson

Poch laying his cards on the table there saying the Champions League is more important than the Premier League.

Fromvert

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Poch laying his cards on the table there saying the Champions League is more important than the Premier League.

I think most non English coaches/players say the same. They all want their hands on the European Cup, that's the big one.

Harry Palmr

Did Hamilton just mistake Rose for vertongan?

Agent Coulson

The way Hamilton is these days he would mistake Houghton beside tonight for Beglin.

HalloweenJack

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Poch laying his cards on the table there saying the Champions League is more important than the Premier League.

Well, they are twenty-odd points behind the leaders. What would you expect?

Anyone who is a regular watcher of Ajax able to share some light on what happened to Dolberg? he seemed to be hot **** a few years back but his record since is far less impressive.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Tottenham really did a great job of their stadium. White Hart Lane was never really known for an unreal atmosphere. So they have really gained something special here.

They learned from Arsenal's mistakes.

GSPfan

Spurs without Kane and Son is cruel on them.

GLaDOS

Ajax starting to settle after a bit of a scrappy start.

GSPfan

That Ajax keeper is dying to come out and get involved. Hope he gets caught out.

Agent Coulson

To easy for Ajax.

Hopefully they go on and muller Spurs now.

Arghus

Well that was coming.

bad2dabone

Niiice

LuckyLloyd

Ajax playing them off the park, massive gulf in class the first 15 minutes

martyos121

It was coming. I knew Ajax would have a lot of joy here, and they fully deserve the lead.

GLaDOS

Spurs torn asunder.

martyos121

Think his foot is offside.

Never mind, goal is given.

Harry Palmr

Great goal, played onside by Trippier

sligeach

Have to say it's a good goal by Ajax. They've definitely been the better team.

Kiith

Awful defending.

Mr.Nice Guy

Cool finish by van de Beek. Ajax doing well.

GavRedKing

Ajax are class

Agent Coulson

Right now Spurs are there for a hammering if Ajax can get another one quickly.

Osmosis Jones

This Ajax team is so much fun, every one of their players seems to have a perfect first touch.

Johner

Ajax are just unreal to watch.

A Dub in Glasgo

Ajax just waltzed through the Spurs defence, well worthy of their lead

sabat

Ladjz itsch Shpursh

golfball37

Spurs embarrassing at back

blueser

Only one team in it so far. Spurs chasing shadows out there.

Luckycharms_74

Spurs still in dressing room. Ajax are a super side and will give Liverpool or Barca a serious test should they qualify

Quazzie

Rose should be booked for that tackle

Arghus

Ajax are something. The angles they find and the runs they make are amazing.

GavRedKing

Hopefully Ajax v Barca in the final. Would make for excellent viewing.

GLaDOS

Ajax's finishing was poor in previous rounds, should have scored a lot more. Spurs better hope they dont improve because it looks like they're going to be carved open at will.

NIMAN

IF Ajax keep playing like this, the tie will be over tonight.

Agent Coulson

de Ligt is a monster of a player and he is only 19.

GLaDOS

Agent Coulson wrote: »

de Ligt is a monster of a player and he is only 19.

Has everything to go on and be a once in a generation type player

RollieFingers

Spurs are brutal without Kane or Son up top, hope Ajax fill their boots here.

Johner

Boys against men so far. :pac:

Agent Coulson

Rose can't handle the pressure.

Harry Palmr

Rose may not make it to half time