Club Focus – Tottenham Hotspur – Spurs to go Dutch in bid for first spot

After the weekend's draw away at Birmingham, Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to get back to winning ways in their final Champions' League Group A match when they travel to the Netherlands to take on FC Twente.

A win for the London side could see them top the group depending on goal difference, and Harry Redknapp believes it is vital for his side to finish first if they want avoid teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Spurs have already qualified for the last 16 knockout stages after previous wins against FC Twente at White Hart Lane and current European champions Inter Milan in a game where arguably Tottenham's most prized asset, and one of the most improved players in the Premier League over the past 18 months, Gareth Bale starred.

Bale has been instrumental in most of Tottenham's key play this season, scoring 13 goals and being regarded as the biggest threat in the side with his pace, strength and skill. The 21-year-old Welshman had a torrid time at the start of his Spurs career, failing to record a single win in 24 starts after signing from Southampton in 2007. But, he has turned his fortunes and last week received BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2010, succeeding fellow Welsh footballer Ryan Giggs in achieving the accolade.
Redknapp himself will be hoping his latest prize winner will be on top form to help spur his team on toward finishing top of Group A tonight in Holland.

The injury list at Tottenham continues to grow it seems. Despite the returning Jermaine Jenas being declared fit, Croatian playmaker Luka Modric is highly doubtful with illness. Rafael van der Vaart is still missing, along with defender Younes Kaboul.
Redknapp faces more long-term problems in his side though with Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King, Tom Huddlestone and Jamie O'Hara all facing lengthy spells on the sidelines, but it is expected Sebastien Bassong will start tonight alongside William Gallas after his goal at Brimingham, despite the return of influential defender Michael Dawson.

Even though Twente are out of the Champions' League, they have qualified for the Europa League so any hope of an easy ride for Tottenham will easily be overlooked as the Dutch champions will look to create some form when they head into another competition after Christmas. The presence of former Wigan Athletic midfielder Denny Landzaat will be key to Twente's push for form against Spurs, and highly-rated striker Luuk De Jong is expected to be in the squad.

The pressure of playing a big side like Barcelona or Milan so early after the group stages will be a path Redknapp wants to avoid. His side's inexperience playing at this level means he will want his side to finish top to learn and develop their European game.

Redknapp will not take Twente for granted. Despite a resounding win against the Dutch side at White Hart Lane earlier in the group stages, the manager knows the De Grosch Veste stadium is not the easiest place to come away with points. Having Bale in his side will be important for Redknapp, but after the lack of form in his strikers, the side's ambition for goals could prove essential.