Champions League Qualifier Preview:

Young Boys – Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs are favourites, but it won't be easy...

By Richard Parry

There Are No Easy Games In Europe

Ever since Steve Bennett blew the final whistle at Eastlands on May 5, Tottenham fans have been looking forward to Tuesday's Champions League fixture more than any other.

Admittedly, BSC Young Boys may not be the main ingredient when mustering up a glamour European tie, but the unveiling of the Swiss side’s name following the draw of Spurs' would have been greeted with widespread cheers across the white and blue half of north London.

Nevertheless, BSC, especially in the away leg, present Spurs with a trickier test than many would anticipate.

After all, the conditions alone will have an effect on the White Hart Lane outfit. The Wankdorf Stadium boasts a synthetic pitch, and for a side that has had a tendency over the years to cower at any available obstacle when on the brink of the big time, Redknapp will need to have his players fully-focused on the job in hand.

The hosts are not enjoying their start to the domestic campaign, currently languishing in seventh spot in the Swiss Super League — and there are only 10 sides — from a sequence which has seen them record one win in five games. Nonetheless, that match was away from home, and against Grasshoppers, which goes to show that Young Boys have the ability to overpower the big men.

This was demonstrated in the previous round, where they eliminated Turkish side Fenerbache over two legs; including an impressive 1-0 victory in the imposing Sukru Saracoglu after drawing 2-2 at home.

Know Your Enemy

Fundamentally, Spurs’ biggest danger is their own mentality. Should they lose focus, which is what BSC’s last scalps did, with former Brighton and Sheffield United man Colin Kazim-Richards sent off for Fenerbahce, then Redknapp’s side could be embarrassed in Bern.

But this a massive game for Tottenham, as big as the match against City in May, and the Spurs players will know that they cannot afford to waste their glorious efforts of last season, and if they don’t Redknapp and Joe Jordan will make sure they do.

During pre-season, Redknapp worked excessively on perfecting a 4-2-3-1 formation, with particular emphasis on European away matches (and away days against the Premier League's elite), and he may choose to operate under this framework on Tuesday evening.

Not only does this offer versatility to his side, it shows Redknapp’s awareness and thorough planning ahead of Spurs’ Champions League campaign, and in particular, a prolonged participation in it.

All in all, Redknapp will have Spurs white-hot for Tuesday’s showdown.

TEAM NEWS

Young Boys

Coach Vladimir Petkovic will want to see the same level of performance that his side showed against Fenerbahce, and will be hoping that defender Emiliano Dudar can help his side keep another clean sheet.

Set to play is David Degen, twin brother of former Liverpool man Philipp, and having earned the last minute penalty which saw Young Boys grab a last minute equaliser against the Turkish outfit, his advancing runs down the right could test Assou-Ekotto.

Possible Starting XI: Wolfli; Dudar, Sutter, Affolter, Spycher; Degen, Doubai; Lulic, Jemal, Constanzo; Bienvenu.

Tottenham

Harry Redknapp has confirmed that he will not pick Ledley King for what would be his second match in four days.

With Jermaine Jenas sidelined following an injury sustained against Villarreal in pre-season, Wilson Palacios is the most likely man to come in to partner Tom Huddlestone, with the Spurs boss likely to move Luka Modric to an advanced role.

Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Palacios, Huddlestone; Lennon, Modric, Bale; Crouch.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Young Boys

Thierry Doubai will have to be watched closely by Spurs on Tuesday, and his power and high fitness levels will almost certainly see Palacios involved from the start.

The Ivorian midfielder is as competent in attack as he is at breaking up play, and will look to feed his strikers with defence-splitting passes whenever possible.

Tottenham

Heurelho Gomes may not find his goal peppered on Tuesday evening, but the Brazilian 'keeper will be key in terms of keeping his side's focus.

With 49 Champions League appearance thus far (from his spell with PSV), Gomes is by far Spurs' most experienced player in the competition. In a squad which cannot boast much Champions League playing time, this could prove invaluable.

PREDICTION

A professional performance is required from Spurs on Tuesday, and that is what I expect them to deliver.

Their play will be patient at times, but can soon explode on the counter attack into the kind of free-flowing football which tormented Manchester City in the first half at White Hart Lane.