Back Spurs to comfortably complete their Italian job

14Mar 2013

Europa Liga

Kevin Hatchard has fancied Spurs to win the Europa League for some time, and he expects them to cruise into the quarter-finals against an Inter side short of both form and confidence...

Inter Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur

Thu 18:00 BST, Live on ITV4

Match Odds: Inter 2.42, Spurs 3.15, the draw 3.6

Before the knockout phase began I suggested in this column that Spurs were a good bet to win the tournament at 16.5. After their dramatic progress against Lyon and last week's breathtaking 3-0 win over Inter Milan, Spurs are now 4.4 favourites in the Winner market. I've seen nothing to change my mind about Spurs - manager Andre Villas Boas' total commitment to the competition and the ferocity of Tottenham's counter-attacking is a winning combination.

Tottenham lost their long unbeaten run in the Premier League on Sunday, but we shouldn't read too much into the 3-2 defeat at Liverpool. Spurs were in control after an hour at Anfield against a very good side, but individual errors were to blame for the loss rather than a collective breakdown. After demolishing Inter in the first leg, Tottenham's confidence should still be high, and Inter's dire need for goals should play into Spurs' hands.

Gareth Bale is suspended, while Clint Dempsey and Emmanuel Adebayor face late fitness tests, but Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon (if he shakes off a hamstring injury) will give the visitors plenty of speed on the break.

Inter looked bereft of confidence and team spirit at White Hart Lane last week. They defended appallingly, and came off second-best in challenges all over the field. Morale will have been further dented by Sunday's 1-0 home defeat to Bologna - not only did Inter lose to a mid-table team, but they were outplayed for large parts of the match.

Inter need a 3-0 win just to force extra-time, and they haven't won any of their home games by a three-goal margin this season. I think Spurs will try to slow the game down and hog possession as much as they can, springing the counter-attack when appropriate. If Inter don't score early, they may well give up, and we could see the game adopt a testimonial-style pace.

On that basis I like the look of backing Under 2.5 Goals at 1.99. Spurs have no need to force the issue, and know just one away goal would leave Inter needing to score at least five.

Recommended Bet

Back Under 2.5 Goals at 1.99