Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs team travel to the Netherlands for Thursday’s meeting with the knowledge that a strong comeback against newly minted Newcastle can do wonders for morale.
The Portuguese manager is still to show a consistent tactical game plan both domestically and abroad leading to a spate of mixed results. Three defeats in the Premier League, a shaky record in Europe and scrappy win on penalties in the EFL Cup have left the faithful feeling…uneasy.
The dissenters will baulk at Spurs’ inclusion in this year’s inaugural UEFA Conference League. The freshly painted stadium and not too distant memory of a Champions League final cloud the reality of form over the last eighteen months.
Realistically, however, a strong cup run likely remains Spurs’ best chance of lifting silverware this season. The UEFA Conference League fits firmly into that bracket.
Across the board the majority of betting sites currently have Spurs alongside Roma as the favourites to lift the first Conference League trophy. Betting experts at BetBlazers.com have an easy to follow and full step guide to online betting and getting the most from backing Spurs this season.
Both of Tottenham’s forward men found the net against Newcastle on Sunday which comes as a relief. The England captain in particular has endured a frustrating start to the season amid rife rumours of a proposed exit to oil-rich Manchester City.
In fact, stats relating to Spurs’ strikeforce show that Kane and Son’s link-up play has been vital in propelling forward the side in recent seasons. So far Kane and Son have combined for a total of 35 goals in the Premier League making them the second most scintillating duo in Premier League history, just one tap-in behind Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard who sit on 36.
Kane will be hoping to continue current form in European competition that has already seen him bag a hat trick at home to Slovenia side NŠ Mura in the last game of the competition. The Slovenian champions have had a remarkable rise to the top of their country’s domestic pyramid but still remain the weakest side in the group.
SBV Vitesse or more popularly known as Vitesse Arnhem, alongside French side Rennes, represent Spurs’ toughest test in Group G. The Dutch side are enduring mixed form in the Eredivisie and sit one point behind both Spurs and Rennes in their Conference League group.
Picking up points on the road has been a difficult ask for this Spurs’ side so far this season. Defeats away to Crystal Palace and Arsenal in the league have marred overall progress, while a surprise 1-0 loss to Paços de Ferreira left an uphill battle to even qualify for European competition in the first place.
A tight 2-2 draw away to Rennes in the Conference League opener was a timely reminder that Spurs can’t rest on their laurels despite what some may think about the stature of this third tier European competition.
Victory against Vitesse is a must if Spurs are to attempt to create some space for themselves at the top of the table and make it into the knockout stages. Strike partners Kane and Son will be bearing the brunt of the responsibility to get the job done.
