UEFA Champions League 2018-19: Predicting the outcome of each Round of 16 tie

#4 Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund

Can Tottenham cope without Kane?

If you’re looking for an action-packed, fast-paced tie in the Round of 16, you need not look further than Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund. Both teams like to play effervescent, attacking football and are a sight to behold on the counter attack.

Though many initially favoured Spurs to go through, the dynamics have changed considerably due to several injuries to high-profile players. Spurs would be without their talismanic English duo of Harry Kane and Dele Alli while Dortmund would miss their skipper, Marco Reus.

At the moment, there is nothing to separate the two sides with Tottenham on an outstanding winning run and Dortmund sitting pretty at the top of the Bundesliga. Thus, the tie would be decided on extremely fine margins.

In the past, Spurs have fumbled when faced with pressure situations and that would surely be playing on their mind. Additionally, Spurs have been stretching their thread-bare squad to the limit recently and it seems only a matter of time before the elastic snaps. Moreover, the absence of Kane would impact their offensive play significantly.

Dortmund, meanwhile, have ample attacking options to offset the loss of Reus and also have the benefit of playing the second leg at home.

The tie promises to be a humdinger yet I expect the German side’s exuberance and energy to trump over Spurs’ slightly tired squad.

Winner: Borussia Dortmund