Friday, February 4, 2011

| by

0

05-02-2011 16:00 Tottenham Hotspur - Bolton Wanderers

Race For Champions League Places Hots Up

As the battle for a place in the top four intensifies, Tottenham will be hoping to keep their credentials intact with a win over Bolton.

Spurs currently sit in fifth place in the table, only three points behind Chelsea in fourth and right in the mix for European qualification.

But manager Harry Redknapp has conceded his side face a huge battle to retain top flight European football at the Lane after Chelsea threw down the gauntlet by spending £75 million on Fernando Torres and David Luiz.

The Spurs boss said: "For us to finish above them would be a real feat.

"They have spent about £70m in the transfer market but we have just got to keep going and it would be a fantastic achievement."

He also believes Chelsea's recent transfer activity could catupult them back into the title race, even though they are 10 points behind leaders Manchester United.

“I would not write Chelsea off from winning the championship," he said.

"Although Manchester United look as though they keep getting results, they are not playing as well as they have done in the past.

“They are red-hot favourites but Chelsea have won the championship and have Torres to come in.

“They could go on a run and be a big danger to everyone.”

But, despite the worry of Chelsea's newly bought strength, Tottenham will be hoping to keep the pressure up on them with a win.

They will have to do it without a host of first-team names but can take comfort from the fact they are unbeaten in 10 league games at White Hart Lane.

Competition For Places At The Reebok

While Tottenham struggle with an injury list as long as Harry Redknapp's shopping list, Owen Coyle has a number of selection dilemmas to solve.

After recruiting Daniel Sturridge and David Wheater in the January transfer window, Coyle has plenty of options to choose from for the first time in his stint as Bolton boss.

And he believes this strength in depth played a massive part in their win over Wolves.

He said: "We haven't had any luck in the last month. Probably everything that could conspire against us has gone against us.

"We've worked very hard in the January window, I think it's been a very good window for us.

"We've kept the group together, as I stressed all season we would, and we've added to that."

The strength of his squad has left the former Burnley boss struggling to find room for some of his stars.

"It wasn't easy to leave David Wheater out given he had a quality debut in the FA Cup on Saturday against Wigan," he added.

"It wasn't easy to leave Robbie Blake out of the 18 but that's because we've built up the squad.

"That gives me some selection dilemmas but as a manager I've shown all throughout my career I'm not afraid to make big decisions."

And no-one will be complaining if Bolton manage to complete a league double over Champions League chasing Tottenham.

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham

Michael Dawson returns to the squad after completing his suspension following the red card against Fulham in the FA Cup.

The England international should return at the heart of Harry Redknapp's defence alongside William Gallas, easing the club's crisis at the back.

Gareth Bale is doubtful and will have a late fitness test on a back injury that has kept him out of the side for the past week.

That's where the good news stops for Spurs as Younes Kaboul (knee), Luka Modric (appendicitis), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Steven Pienaar (concussion) are all still on the sidelines.

Club captain Ledley King was supposed to go under the surgeon's knife this week but due to a lost passport has had to reschedule the surgery in Germany for next week.

Possible starting XI: Gomes; Hutton, Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Van der Vaart, Jenas, Palacios, Lennon; Crouch, Defoe.

Bolton

Bolton will look to rotate their squad after their tough game in midweek against Mick McCarthy's Wolves.

Lee Chung-Yong, who played his first game since returning from the Asian Cup in the win, could be rested after his exploits during the week.

Owen Coyle must decide whether to recall new signing David Wheater to the side after he was left out of the team that won 1-0 at Wolves.

The Trotters boss also has selection issues in attack and could hand new loan signing Daniel Sturridge his first start for the club after netting the winner as a second-half substitute in midweek.

Jlloyd Samuel is out of the squad and the only injury casualty for the club with a calf muscle strain.

Possible starting XI: Jaaskeleinan; Ricketts, Cahill, Wheater, Robinson; Lee, Holden, M Davies, Taylor; Elmander, K Davies.

Prediction
Despite Bolton managing to beat Tottenham at home earlier this season, I just can't see them doing it again.

Tottenham 2-1 Bolton