Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur Champions League Betting Odds & Preview

Tottenham Hotspur have been rewarded for their great strides during their inaugural Champions League campaign, with a quarter final tie against Spanish giants Real Madrid. If Spurs are going to win the Champions League, then they are going to have to do it the hard way, because Barcelona could be standing in the way come the semi finals. First of all though, there is the not so small matter of Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid. Tottenham Hotspur have been a breath of fresh air in the competition this season, playing a brave style of football which has won them many plaudits. Boss Harry Redknapp has not been afraid to take the game to the opposition, no matter who they may be. They have created some fantastic atmospheres at White Hart Lane in the tournament, and their performances have fully backed up the home support. There was the crucial win over Inter Milan in the group stages. There was the battling second leg draw against AC Milan in the round of last sixteen, which saw them through. This is just where Tottenham want to be, and the draw is really set up for them to have at least two more magical Champions League nights. This is, undoubtedly their toughest test of course, but Spurs have shown great aplomb and Redknapp must be hugely applauded for his tactical approach to the games. He has pretty much got things down to a tee, and now he has the chance to pit himself against one of the best teams in the world. To start this fixture, Spurs will take a trip to the Bernabeu, against a club which has won the European Cup nine times. It will be a return to familiar surroundings for Rafael van der Vaart, who left Real Madrid in the summer to join Spurs. The first leg is played in Madrid on Tuesday, April 5th, with the return in London on Wednesday, April 13th.

Jose Mourinho has once again shown what a special touch he has, as he guided Real Madrid to the quarter finals for the first time since the 2003/04 competition. Real finally buried their bogey team Lyon in the last sixteen, even though the French could have made it a lot more difficult for Real, had their strikers been in any kind of form. With Cristiano Ronaldo in tremendous form this season, holding on tight at the back in Spain, is just what Spurs will need. But they won’t be afraid of pushing forward, that is, if they can get the ball. They will have watched how Barcelona passed Arsenal off the park in the round of last sixteen, and much of the same can be expected from Real Madrid on their home turf. However, that having been said, Spurs are likely to get a lot more of the ball against Madrid, than they ever would against Barcelona. Madrid play lovely football, but they do concede possession more readily and rely on defensive work. Finally a bit of caution may need to be aired by Redknapp, in this fascinating tie. Jose Mourinho (who can become the first man to win the Champions League with three different clubs) can’t wait, not because he tie is easy he said, but because he really likes playing in England. With Spurs making their first foray into the Champions League, you have to go back to the 1984/85 UEFA Cup to find a meeting between them. Real Madrid won that on a 1-0 aggregate. However, there is a lot of hope for Tottenham to really give this one a good go. Real Madrid do not have a great record against English teams, losing four of their last five matches against English opposition. Tottenham could really write one of the biggest chapters of their history here. Not too surprising that Real Madrid are favourites to progress, and they are only one of two sides left in the competition who remain unbeaten (Man Utd being the other). Real Madrid are 2/5 favourites at Paddy Power To Qualify, with Spurs out at 3/1 with Bwin.