PSV Eindhoven vs Tottenham Hotspur - It is do or die for both sides

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2018 by PA

PSV Eindhoven coach Mark Van Bommel admits it is do or die for both his side and Tottenham on Wednesday night.

Spurs travel to Holland to take on the runaway Eredivisie leaders with both teams needing a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Neither side have picked up a point so far in Group B following defeats to Inter Milan and Barcelona, so the clash at the Philips Stadion is a must-win for both.

“Winning means you are still in the group, but if you lose it’s almost over,” said Van Bommel.

“Spurs have a lot of quality players and weapons to win games, but we have that also.

“In my opinion Inter Milan, Barcelona and Tottenham are almost equal, there are no big differences.”

Spurs are facing a team who, on the domestic front at least, are probably the most in-form in Europe.

They are five points clear at the top of the Eredivisie having won all their nine matches so far with a goal difference of plus 33, having thumped Emmen 6-0 on Saturday.

Spurs are also enjoying their best start to a Premier League season despite their players’ supposed tiredness following the World Cup.

Harry Kane has still not hit his stride this term and looked jaded again during their 1-0 win at West Ham on Saturday.

“I think all the top teams in Europe have that problem, I don’t think Spurs are playing badly, they can play in several ways,” added Van Bommel.

“It’s difficult, they played a long road in the World Cup and have some injuries but I think they are doing well”

Tottenham will be able to call upon Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele following their recovery from abdominal and thigh issues respectively.

Dele Alli (hamstring), Danny Rose (groin) and Jan Vertonghen (hamstring) continue to miss out.

Mauricio Pochettino admits life on the road has been tough for Tottenham.

Spurs have been in good form away from home this season, winning five of their last six matches.

However, Pochettino admits the fact that they do not actually have a place to call home has taken its toll.

A delay to the completion of their new stadium has meant Spurs are still using Wembley as their temporary residence.

Pochettino said: “It’s true that it’s difficult to always feel like you’re playing away from home.

“We’re managing things so that we’re sure in the future (it) will be completely different.

“When I signed my new contract we expected a tough period, but it is tougher than we believed.”

Midfielder Eric Dier insists confidence is high in the Spurs camp despite the high stakes of the PSV clash.

He said: “We’ve done well away from home so far this season, and we’ve had some tough games away from home.

“We feel very good at the moment and we’ve got to try to continue that feeling tomorrow against a very good side. It’s a game we’re looking forward to and tomorrow is no different.”