Champions League Group A preview: Spurs, Inter on the verge

Tottenham can book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a win over Group A rivals Werder Bremen on Wednesday.

Spurs surged to the top of the group after an emphatic 3-1 win over European champions Inter Milan three weeks ago, their third successive Champions League victory at White Hart Lane.

A fourth win at home would ensure Tottenham’s place in the knockout phase while ending Bremen’s hopes of qualification, and manager Harry Redknapp urged his side to take their chance.

“That group is still wide open. We need results; we need a result on Wednesday,” Redknapp said.

“You don’t want to be going into the last game away to Twente needing to win the game to get through the group.”

“They’re not a bad side, they’re dangerous opposition and we need to put that one to bed if we can, get through the group.

“It is a tough group and to get out of it would be a good achievement.”

Gareth Bale will again be central to Redknapp’s plans after his brilliant form in Europe so far this campaign, while Rafael van der Vaart continued his goalscoring exploits with a strike against Arsenal in Spurs’ 3-2 win on Saturday.

Bremen boss Thomas Schaaf will bring an undermanned side to London for the match, with Claudio Pizarro, Clemens Fritz, Naldo, Sebastian Boenisch and Tim Borowski all sidelined through injury.

Like Tottenham, Inter can ensure their spot in the knockout stages with victory over Dutch champions FC Twente in Wednesday’s other Group A encounter.

Rafael Benitez’s side have been struggling on the domestic front but are still in good shape in Europe, level with Spurs on seven points after four matches.

However, their injury list continues to grow with confirmation Christian Chivu and Coutinho will both be unavailable for Wednesday’s match.

Chivu was injured during Romania’s 1-1 draw with Italy last week, while Coutinho picked up a thigh injury after a clash at training on Friday.

The pair join Maicon and Walter Samuel on the sidelines, leaving Benitez with plenty of headaches ahead of the match.

Twente will travel to the San Siro determined to take at least a share of the points to keep their qualification hopes alive, and will take heart from their 2-2 result against the Italian champions in their opening group stage enounter.