Pre-season friendly preview and odds: Tottenham Hotspur vs Atletico Madrid

Pre-season friendly preview and odds: Tottenham Hotspur vs Atletico Madrid

July 29, 2016 12:00am - Melbourne Cricket Ground

International Champions Cup

Following their defeat to Juventus on Tuesday, Tottenham will be hoping for a more positive outcome when they face Atletico Madrid in the second of their pre-season fixtures down under on Friday.

Spurs face second tough test in three days

Tottenham Hotspur`s pre-season schedule in Australia has thrown them right in the deep end against two of Europe`s elite clubs. On Tuesday, a makeshift Spurs team faced an equally unfamiliar Juventus line up as they fell to a 2-1 defeat. That game saw new signings Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama make their first appearances for the club and both players may get another run out against the Spanish side on Friday.

For Diego Simeone and his men, this game represents their first serious challenge of the pre-season following their comfortable 2-0 win over second-tier Spanish side Numancia last weekend. Fresh faces Sime Vrsaljko and Diogo Jota both featured in that game and can be expected to play a part again on Friday.

Once this game is over, Spurs Coach Mauricio Pochettino will only have one more opportunity (when they face Italian side Inter on August 5) to test his players in a match environment before the Premier League season gets underway.

The North London side have drawn criticism for having such a limited pre-season schedule. However, with a busy season including Champions League football coming up, there may be some justification in their decision.

Team news

Spurs` first team regulars Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Dele Alli, Kyle Walker and Captain Hugo Lloris were all left at home to recover from Euro 2016, so there will be further opportunities to impress for the second string players. Christian Eriksen is still recovering from a virus but may be fit enough to play some part.

Meanwhile, Atleti are without Antoine Griezmann and Koke but Diego Simeone will still have a strong squad to choose from, with plenty of first team players having made the journey down under.

Recent form (All competitions)

Tottenham Hotspur: LLLDD

Atletico Madrid: DLDLL

Betting odds and tips

Another experimental Tottenham side will face perhaps an even tougher challenge than they did against Juventus three days ago. The team from Madrid have taken a strong squad to Melbourne and should have what it takes to overcome the North Londoners.

You can back Atletico Madrid to win at Evens with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Go To bet365

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Tottenham v Atletico Madrid Live Betting Odds - Elite Club Friendlies

Home Win	15/4
Draw	12/5
Away Win	4/5

28/07/2016     © Frixo 2024