Tottenham head to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night for a crucial Champions League clash.
Both teams have yet to get off the mark in Group B and are desperate for a victory to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at the main talking points:
Do or die
All set! 🎙
🗣 @MarkvanBommel6 🗣 @angel_tasende69 #PSVTOT pic.twitter.com/hbu2DQfTNe
— PSV (@PSV) October 23, 2018
PSV coach Mark van Bommel admitted “a win means you are still in the group, if you lose it’s almost over”. With both teams stuck on zero points after two matches and playing catch-up behind Barcelona and Inter Milan, this already has a must-win feel about it.
Harry’s hangover
Harry Kane has still yet to hit his stride this season with many observers claiming he needs a rest following his World Cup exertions. But Spurs are leaning on the England striker heavily and he needs to find his goalscoring boots at the Philips Stadion.
Form side
⚽| Matchweek 9⃣ is over and the top-5 ⃣ doesn't make a single mistake👌 which player made the most beautiful goal of this round? #Eredivisie #MadeintheEredivisie pic.twitter.com/jIaWpkEC5I
— Eredivisie (English) (@EredivisieEN) October 22, 2018
Spurs may have made their best start to a Premier League season but they are facing a side in blistering domestic form. Nine games into their Eredivisie campaign and PSV still have a 100 per cent record, a five-point gap at the top of the table and a goal difference of plus-33. Van Bommel’s side have won their last two matches 4-0 and 6-0.
Gruelling schedule
🏴 🛫 🇳🇱
Next stop: Eindhoven. #COYS pic.twitter.com/6J4eAAW4VF
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 23, 2018
Saturday’s hard-fought 1-0 win at West Ham marked the start of a run of seven matches in 21 days. Tottenham’s endurance will be tested to the maximum in Eindhoven before they face Manchester City on Monday night and the Hammers again, in the Carabao Cup, just 48 hours later.
Eriksen’s return
Christian Eriksen got a late run-out as a substitute at the London Stadium and Spurs will be desperately hoping the Denmark international is fully fit and available in Eindhoven following an abdominal problem. Eriksen’s input could have a huge bearing on the match and Tottenham’s European ambitions.
