Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Rennes (courtesy of COVID or not!)
At the Tottenham stadium, kick-off at 8pm
It is all happening at Tottenham. No, I am not talking about Conte taking over and knocking heads together (which he probably did do), but coronavirus breaking out everywhere at the Spurs camp. Or, as the press put it, “the outbreak is ravaging the squad” as we prepare to host Rennes in our final Europa Conference League group stage clash tomorrow (Thursday).
We are second in Group G – level on points with Vitesse – while Rennes are already guaranteed qualification as group winners.
It remains to be seen what inferences the coronavirus will have for this game, but the game is expected to go ahead as we aim to right the wrongs of our fucked up NS Mura humiliation. Sadly many fringe players fucked up and failed to take their opportunities in Slovenia as we suffered one of our most embarrassing and humiliating defeats in our history.
With seven points taken from a possible 15 in Group G, we can no longer finish top of the group and are now fighting with Vitesse for a second-place finish, with the Dutch side only behind on goal difference. The good news is that Conte has a 100% home record. Winning four from four.
Tottenham Hotspur Europa Conference League form:
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Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):
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Rennes Europa Conference League form:
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Rennes form (all competitions):
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Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
No reports or statements have named the cluster of players who have tested positive for coronavirus. Still, Emerson Royal and Bryan Gil are believed to be two of the affected after missing out through ‘illness’ at the weekend.
Ryan Sessegnon is unavailable following his red card when playing against Mura. This could put Conte in a predicament at left-back with Sergio Reguilon taking a knock in the win over Norwich, joining Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso on the sidelines.
Because of the importance of this match, I am sure that we will put out our first-choice XI after players such as Dele Alli and Matt Doherty endured horrendous evenings in Slovenia.
My possible starting lineup:
Gollini; Sanchez, Dier, Rodon; Tanganga, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Davies; Lucas, Kane, Son
My prediction
This is going to be difficult to predict until the full extent of the reported coronavirus outbreak becomes clear. Granted, we have been impressive at home under Conte, but a fully-fit Rennes will sense a chance to claim a haunting win over an emaciated Spurs side and will do their best to achieve that.
So, and being optimistic, I am going for a 3-2 victory… and why not? A loss or even a draw (I think) will knock us out of the competition, and then no more European football until next season when we are in the Champions League (well… why not… a laugh is as good as a gag and supporting Spurs nowadays one needs their sense of humour… otherwise you go into Arsenal territory and depression, followed by trips around the lunatic asylum).
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
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