Tottenham host Olympiacos on Tuesday night as they look to secure qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League in José Mourinho’s first home game in charge.
Spurs will be through to the knockout stages should they beat the Greek side, while even a draw will be enough should Red Star fail to beat Bayern Munich elsewhere in Group B – a result that is highly likely.
Mourinho will be hoping to go one step further than his predecessor and lift the famous old trophy in Istanbul in May, especially following his comments claiming that finishing as runners-up ‘is not history’.
Here are all the facts and stats you need to know ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League encounter, courtesy of Opta.
Win or Lose
Remarkably, Tottenham have never drawn a home Champions League group stage match. They’ve won ten and lost just four.
As previously mentioned, a draw could well be enough for Spurs to progress, but considering they’re incapable of drawing they may have to go for the win.
Barren Streak
Tottenham may not be overly worried by tonight’s opponents, as the Greek side haven’t won in 12 Champions League games.
Having said that, the last time Olympiacos avoided defeat was against Spurs back on matchday one of the group – a 2-2 draw in Piraeus.
Moreover,
Greek Conqueror
Tottenham’s Harry Kane has scored five goals in his last three appearances against Greek teams in European competition, after failing to net in his first two such games.
The England captain opened the scoring via the penalty spot against Olympiacos earlier this season.
Record on the Line?
Tottenham’s last two UEFA Champions League wins have been 5-0 and 4-0 victories over Crvena Zvedza; the only team in the history of the competition to win by four or more goals in three games in a row are PSG in October/November 2017.
Sounds like the kind of record Mourinho will want to break.
Asia’s Finest
We all know Son Heung-min is class, but he has reached new heights both personally and as a representative of Asian football this season.
Son has scored five Champions League goals this term, becoming the first Asian player to reach the tally in a single season in the competition.
Unhappy Hunting Ground
If Spurs need more encouragement, they need only look at Olympiacos’ record on English soil.
Olympiakos have only ever won once in their 14 away games against English teams in European competition (W1 D1 L12), winning 3-2 vs Arsenal in September 2015 in the Champions League.
Shot-shy, Goal-shy
The visitors have really struggled away from home in Europe this season.
Olympiacos have managed just two shots on target in their two away Champions League games this season and didn’t manage a single effort on target in their 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich.
Tottenham’s Lineup
📋 #THFC: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose, Dier, Winks, Dele, Lucas, Son, Kane (C) @WilliamHill latest (18+) https://t.co/WUt9ZgL30G #UCL ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/NlLx7j1OgB
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 26, 2019
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