Tottenham Hotspur vs RB Leipzig Predictions

*Preview and predictions published on February 17th before news of Son’s injury broke.

• 100% of Spurs’ games in this competition this term have seen over 2.5 goals land.
• Eight of Leipzig’s last 10 UCL games have seen at least three goals.
• The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has seen more goals than any other ground in this season’s competition.

The Old and the New

Jose Mourinho’s Spurs reign has been more understated than his previous roles, but Wednesday could be a decisive night for his future at the club. Having made the Champions League final last year, this encounter with the Bundesliga leaders is an interesting test.

Mourinho needs to earn his keep in big games like this – it’s where he built his reputation. However, Mourinho’s methods are considered tired by many, which makes this an interesting clash as he meets one of Europe’s up-and-coming managerial talents.

The New Favourite Son

Tottenham’s win at Aston Villa was another meeting of old and new. The Sky cameras documented the run-in between Mourinho and John Terry, one of the Portuguese’s many die-hard loyal players from his career. The way things are going, Son Heung-Min could fill the same role at Spurs.

The forward is stepping up in Harry Kane’s place once again. His late winner at Villa was his sixth goal in five matches. That should continue here, as Son has scored nine goals in his last 10 Champions League starts. In the knockout stages with Spurs, his record is five goals in seven starts. We’re backing him to score anytime here to add to that.

Another Tottenham Thriller

Tottenham’s two Champions League games against German opposition this season have produced 13 goals, so we expect a high-scoring encounter here. All their Champions League games this season have seen at least three goals, as have eight of Leipzig’s last 10.

Tottenham conceded 14 goals in this season’s Champions League group phase, the highest tally among the remaining teams in the competition. Unsurprisingly, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has seen more goals than any other venue in this season’s Champions League (20 goals; 11 for Tottenham, nine against).

Leipzig have seen 73% of their away trips in the league finish with over 2.5 goals scored. We’re backing that to continue here, with over 2.5 our main tip. Meanwhile, Spurs have won eight of their last 10 at home, so we see them edging the first leg. A 2-1 home victory is our correct score pick here, having landed in three of the hosts’ last six matches.