Gareth Bale has told his Tottenham team-mates they only need to cast their minds back just over 12 months to remember what Champions League football is like.
It was a time when the Welshman and the rest of Harry Redknapp’s squad were terrorising names such as Inter Milan and making their way through to the Champions League quarter-finals.
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Bale set alarm bells ringing last week when he hinted he may have to look at his situation if Spurs fail to secure a place in Europe’s elite competition this term.
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The north Londoners now travel to relegation battlers Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night in a game which could have a major bearing for both teams.
Spurs, who are 12/1 to win the game 3-1 with Bale 11/2 to open the scoring, are 8/11 to finish in the top four of the Premier League while Bolton are 7/5 to be relegated.
Tottenham can take another giant step towards securing fourth spot with a victory, but Owen Coyle’s team will be scrapping likewise, knowing that three points can go a long way to keeping them in the Premier League for another season.
Spurs’ players will have no doubt received a massive boost with the news Redknapp is set to remain at the helm, with the FA now poised to appoint Roy Hodgson as the next England manager.
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And Bale admits: “We had a taste of Champions League football last season and thoroughly enjoyed it. They were very special nights at White Hart Lane.”
Chelsea boss Roberto di Matteo is expecting a tough clash against Newcastle on Wednesday as his side look to boost their hopes of a top-four finish.
Roberto di Matteo is expecting a tough clash against Newcastle.
The Blues’ interim boss will look to put the team’s respective FA Cup and Champions League final aspirations to one side as he still hopes to guarantee a place in Europe’s top competition by securing fourth position in the Premier League this season.
And, Chelsea, who are 11/10 to finish in the top four, will have a great opportunity to maintain the pressure on fourth-placed Tottenham by defeating Alan Pardew’s Magpies, who are one place and one point above the Blues, at Stamford Bridge this week. Chelsea are 1/2 to pick up the three points, Newcastle are 11/2 and the draw can be backed at 10/3.
Di Matteo is confident that Chelsea can come out on top, but he is anticipating a difficult evening against the Tynesiders.
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“I think every game is a must-win for us,” Di Matteo said. “We have to try our best and try and win. They have been in good form they’ve had a very impressive run and it will be a tough game.
“They have a very good squad, they some individual quality players and a lot of goalscorers. I am not that surprised they have done very well this season.
“We are just focused on getting into fourth that is most important to us. We are full of confidence at the moment.”
Chelsea will still be without David Luiz and Gary Cahill so Branislav Ivanovic, who returns from suspension, is likely to partner John Terry in defence.
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Newcastle have a fresh injury doubt surrounding right-back Danny Simpson after he picked up a minor ankle problem in Saturday’s shock 4-0 defeat at Wigan.
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Top 4 Betting
To finish in the top 4…
1/20 – Arsenal
8/11 – Tottenham
10/11 – Chelsea
8/1 – Newcastle
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