Tottenham travel to RB Leipzig trailing by a singular goal today in search of a route to the Champions League Quarter-Finals. Elsewhere Valencia host free-scoring Atalanta as they attempt to overturn a three goal deficit, we've previewed both Champions League games below where you can also take advantage of some of Paddy Power's Power Prices specials tonight.
RB Leipzig vs. Tottenham
Tottenham have had a torrid time against German opposition this season. The Lilywhites have already faced Bayern Munich twice in the Champions League Group Stages where they lost 3-1 away and their 7-2 loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the biggest ever margin of defeat by an English team at home in any European competition. Since then they have drawn RB Leipzig in the Round of 16 and thanks to a Timo Werner goal have lost all three matches against German opposition this season. This run will certainly need to come to an end tonight should Jose Mourinho's men have any hopes of reaching the Champions League Quarter-Finals for a second consecutive season.
RB Leipzig on the other hand are flying this season under new manager Julian Nagelsmann, Die Roten Bullen currently sit third in the Bundesliga, just five points behind Bayern Munich, and have only lost five times in the thirty-five matches they have played across all competitions this season. Star Striker Timo Werner is flying equally as high this season, the German has currently scored twenty-seven goals across all competitions this season, the most he has ever scored in a single season. In fact a win tonight will guarantee Julian Nagelsmann's men make history for the club as they will reach the Champions League Quarter-Finals for the first time in the club's history.
Bookmakers Paddy Power have Tottenham to qualify tonight at 9/2 with RB Leipzig at 1/7.
Team News
Tottenham are riddled with injuries, the Lilywhites have three of their main forwards out through injury; Harry Kane, who suffered a hamstring injury against Southampton in January, is likely out for the majority of the season. He is joined by Heung-Min Son, who suffered a fracture to his arm against Aston Villa last month, and Steven Bergwijn, who sprained his ankle at Turf Moor on the weekend. Outside of Tottenham's forwards they also have Moussa Sissoko (knee), Ben Davies (hamstring) & Juan Foyth (thigh) missing through injury.
RB Leipzig on the other hand have confirmed that German international Willi Orban will be out as the defender suffered a knee injury against Wolfsburg back in October. Die Roten Bullen also have Kevin Kampl (ankle), Ibrahima Konaté (hamstring) and Timo Werner (thigh) carrying knocks however the latter will most certainly shake that problem off for tonight. Elsewhere Julian Nagelsmann's men will also be with centre-back Dayot Upamecano who is available after missing the first leg due to suspension.
Valencia vs. Atalanta
Valencia will have a lot of work to do tonight as they trail Atalanta 4-1 on aggregate going into this second leg, in fact the only positive they can take from the first leg is that they did manage to get an away goal. To make matters worse Albert Celades' men will have to play the game without the famous support of the Els Taronges faithful, as the game will be played behind closed doors due to the threat of the coronavirus outbreak. Valencia will be looking to seasoned-veteran Dani Parejo to help them break down the Italians. The Spaniard is the club's joint-top scorer this season with his ten goals and on top of that has also racked up five assists to accompany. Valencia will likely start with Kevin Gameiro leading the line, who is no stranger to European competitions, in fact the Frenchman has been directly involved in forty-one goals in the eighty-nine matches that he has played in them.
Atalanta have one clear mission tonight, defend and counter-attack. La Dea have plenty of pace and creativity at the top of the field and with playmaker Alejandro Gómez in the middle they are always a threat when attacking. The little Argentinian has fifty-three goals and sixty assists for Atalanta in the two hundred and twenty-two games he has played for them across all competitions. Valencia will also have to be wary of striker Josip Iličić, whose is currently the club's top goalscorer at seventeen goals. In fact Valencia will be very familiar with the Slovenian, whose goal in the first-leg helped Atalanta to their 4-1 lead. Paddy Power have Iličić to score anytime tonight at 13/8 with Alejandro Gómez at 23/10.
Bookmakers Paddy Power have Valencia to qualify tonight at 14/1 with Atalanta at 1/80.
Team News
Former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista, who was sent off in Valencia's 1-0 win at Ajax in the Group Stages, is still suspended meaning Albert Celades will likely play a similar back-line to the first leg. Defenders Ezequiel Garay (knee) and Cristiano Piccini (knee) are all also ruled out with their respective injuries. Valencia, who are in need of goals, will feel most aggrieved about losing star striker Maxi Gómez since the first leg. The Uruguayan, who is the club's joint-top scorer this season with ten goals in twenty-eight matches, broke his toe in the club's 2-1 win against Real Betis last week and is set to miss several weeks subsequently.
Atalanta on the other hand only have one doubt as they make the trip to Spain, with Brazilian centre-back Rafael Tolói struggling with a muscle issue. Gian Piero Gasperini will however be wary of a number of his first-team players that, should his side qualify, are just one card away from a suspension.
You can also take advantage of Paddy Power's Power Prices special tonight as they have Tottenham and Valencia to win tonight, which was originally at 11/1 boosted to a massive 16/1.
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