APOEL vs. Tottenham: Champions League preview

Spurs, after a demonstrative win against Dortmund on Match Day One, travel to Cyprus to meet APOEL for the first time in the Champions League. 

Unbeaten in six matches in all competitions (4 wins, 2 draw), Spurs are looking to strengthen their Group H position in anticipation of playing back-to-back matches against holders’ Real Madrid. It’s a must win for Tottenham, as any slip up against the Group H minnows would lead to an automatic early exit from the competition.

Harry Kane is in scintillating form, the striker scoring eight goals in six September games for club and country. He’s bagged a brace in three of his last four matches with Spurs, including a double against Dortmund at Wembley in their first Group H match.

Historically, Spurs haven’t performed well away from home in the Champions League, winning only two of eight fixtures. That record, however, is in stark contrast to the club’s away form domestically. Tottenham have won five on the trot away from home in the Premier League, outscoring opponents 21-4.

Fortuitously for Spurs, they aren’t attempting to invade an impenetrable, impregnable fortress, as APOEL have won only two of their nine home Champions League group games. They did, however, make it to the quarterfinals of the competition in 2012 where they lost to Real Madrid. The Galacticos also brushed APOEL aside on Match Day One, beating the Cyprus club 3-0.

APOEL haven’t managed to score a goal in four of their last five matches and are struggling to find consistency. APOEL, three matches into their domestic campaign, have a single win.

The storied Cyprus club are also struggling mightily in the Champions League of late. They haven’t mustered a win in nine matches, a record that includes eight defeats. You’d have to go back to 2012 to find their last win in the competition. It came against Lyon in the second leg of the round of 16.

Spurs are forced to play without Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen, both of whom are suspended for the fixture.

Next: Tottenham beat West Ham 3-2 in nail-biting finale

Tottenham won 2-1 in Larnaca against AEL Limassol FC the last time the club travelled to Cyprus. I’m sure you can guess who scored the winner. It was none other than Kane, who bagged the 80th minute deciding goal during the 2014-15 Europa League playoff match.

Expect a similar outcome in this one, with Spurs’ talisman once again taking his rightful place under the spotlight.