Tottemham Hotspur to Win Champions League +3740 I just got down more on Tottenham again to win the Champions League. As I posted two weeks ago, I already have a ticket in my hand at +5125 and doubled down again at +3740 at Pinny, which averages me in at somewhere near 45/1. I also have Arsenal at +1500 and Barcelona at +320.
I love the group Spurs are in even though it means butting heads with Inter Milan, who is no doubt a better side but in terms of value the Spurs will advance out of their group, if not win it.
For those of you not familiar with Champions League rules when it comes to the round of 16 draw, Tottenham can't face another English Club, so that rules out Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, and they can't face Inter Milan b/c they were from their own group. So that leaves the following possible teams if the groups play out like I think they may:
Real Madrid or AC Milan from Group G (clearly want to avoid Real Madrid but AC Milan is a shell of the '07 champions)
Bayern Munich or Roma from Group E (I'll take my chances with either one of those teams)
Group B offers Lyon, Benfica, or Schalke as a possible opponent which again doesn't scare me
Group D winner is Barcelona and that is not the draw Spurs want as Barca is the class side of the tourney and my "gun-to-head" selection of who is going to win it...
The bottom line is you have a squad that has been largely dismissed and have shown they can play with and win against the best clubs in Europe at the Europa Cup and within the English Premiership. I am expecting a great deal from all of England's sides and wouldn't be surprised if we saw all four of them in the final 8. That being said, when you are playing a 37-1 shot, you will need to catch a few breaks, however, these setups are what create value and allow you to lay off some risk if they are inclined to advance.
What's also important is that the transfer window is still open. Tottenham can still pick up a top class player with the guarantee of added Champions League revenue both now and again in January.
White Hart Lane is a very turbulent place to play for sides in and out of England, as Manchester City can attest in Week 1, narrowly getting out with a draw, and unlike other Champions League debutants, this is a team who has the talent to beat anyone of the top class clubs in a home and home series. With the final in May being at Wembley Stadium this year, if they do manage to reach the final game, one would have to think a decided home field edge would exist for the London side...
