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Spurs and Inter jostle for top spot

With 12 teams already through to the round of 16, the last four will be decided in matches to be played today and tomorrow.

In group A matches,
Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspurs are already through to the next
round but the issue of who tops the group is still in contention.
Tottenham lead before tonight’s games on account of a better head to
head record against the defending champions. Spurs lost 3-4 at the San
Siro but bettered the Italians,

3-1 at White Hart Lane.

Spurs’ manager on
this maiden European trip says that his team must retain top spot as
they travel to face tricky opponents, Twente Enschede.

Redknapp said: “We
want to finish top if we can. Inter Milan will go to Germany looking to
win because that top position is important. Otherwise, it’s the likes
of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the next round.”

Dutch champions, FC
Twente on five points will also be assured of a spot in the Europa
League – they are mathematically certain of getting the third spot in a
very difficult group. They have a better head to head record against
Werder Bremen.

Spurs are joint-top
scorers in the competition, and in Gareth Bale, have a player that has
already set the Champions League alight with his three goals at the San
Siro. With Chelsea as their next opponent in the English Premier
League, Spurs will get confidence boost if they successfully retain top
spot today in Holland.

Inter are rocking
and off the back of another woeful performance away to Lazio, where
they lost 1-3, Coach Rafael Benitez will be feeling the heat off the
nostrils of Massimo Moratti.

Inter will gladly
welcome Samuel Eto’o back into the team, the Cameroonian captain is
currently serving a three-match ban, with the Lazio match, one of the
three suspensions.

Rumours are already
rife that former Inter keeper, Walter Zenga, may replace the Spanish
coach with the FIFA Club World Cup the last fleece. But as it was when
he left Liverpool, Benitez will be due €4 million in compensation.

Lyon hope Schalke fail

Group B also has
the top spot in contention. German side, FC Schalke have overcome a
difficult beginning and are now assured of a tie in the round of 16
matches.

Also, serial French champions, Lyon are assured of qualification because of a better record against Benfica.

Lyon will be
confident of beating Hapoel Tel-Aviv in France and will be hoping that
Schalke fall in Portugal as they confront Benfica. If that happens, the
French side will move ahead with 12 points to Schalke’s 10 points.

Vincent Enyeama’s
Hapoel still have a slight chance of getting a Europa League berth –
but they have to beat Lyon, and pray that Schalke do the business
against Benfica in Portugal. If it happens it will be the first ever
away win in the competition for the modest Israeli club side.

Other fixtures

In Group C today’s
match will also determine the group winners. A rested Manchester United
side – their Premiership tie away to Blackpool was cancelled due to a
frozen pitch – will be at Old Trafford to face Valencia.

The Spaniards,
beaten on Saturday by Real Madrid need to out-score the Red Devils, but
that looks daunting as United have not conceded any goals in Europe
this term. Scottish champions, Rangers will finish third no matter the
outcome of their match against Bursaspor but the Turkish debutants;
will be hard pressed to obtain their first points in the competition.

In Group D, with
Barcelona being hailed as the best football side in the world, Russian
side, Rubin Kazan will make the trip to the Camp Nou, knowing that only
a win can help fuel their desire for a round of 16 ticket. Barcelona
are already through as leaders but can now determine, who will come in
second.

FC København could also become the first Danish club to make the
round of 16 with a positive result. København have seven points to
Rubin Kazan’s six and will progress as long as they match any result
that the Russian champions obtain in Spain.