Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund: Value in Germans on Tough Night for Hosts

Spurs fans remain unsure as to how they got this far but their side is in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the second season running. After a stuttering group phase, Wednesday night’s first leg tie at Wembley now puts Mauricio Pochettino’s men up against old foes in Borussia Dortmund.

The two teams met in the group stages of last year’s competition and Tottenham had the upper hand as they qualified for the next stage – sending the Germans into the Europa League in the process. In the Round of 16 for 2018/19, will we see a similar outcome or is it time for Dortmund to exact revenge?

Match Odds

There are odds-against options on all three possible outcomes here so there is definite value if we can call it correctly. As far as the result on the night is concerned, Spurs are favourites and can be claimed at best industry odds of 11/8 with BetFred. Just behind are Borussia Dortmund at a top price of 9/4 with Unibet while the same bookmaker has the draw at 28/11.

Those are the numbers for the result in 90 minutes but what about the To Qualify betting? The bookies have identified a much clearer favourite here. Borussia Dortmund are very much the market leaders at 4/6 with William Hill and Royal Panda while Spurs are the outside bet at a best of 23/20 with Betway.

The form guide is quite interesting on this one and after losing two domestic cup ties within a week, Tottenham have responded with three straight wins in the Premier League. In contrast, Dortmund have drawn each of their last three matches but prior to that, the Germans recorded wins over Hannover and RFB Leipzig.

Based on that form alone it would hint at a home win but Spurs have a possible fatigue factor and an issue with injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli. They’ve coped well in the league but the arrival of a strong German team could prove too strong on the night.

Individual Goalscorers

Son Heung-Min

Harry Kane might have been a perfect candidate to open the scoring but in his ongoing absence, we have three joint favourites. Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min and Dortmund’s Paco Alcacer can both be picked up at best odds of 6/1 with Unibet and 888Sport while Fernando Llorente is available at that same top price of 6/1 with William Hill.

Son has been crucial for Spurs during the period that Kane has been out of the side while Alcacer has just made a permanent move to Germany following a prolific spell on loan from Barcelona.

Moving through the pack, Lucas Moura is quoted at best odds of 8/1 with William Hill while Jadon Sancho is listed at a top price of 9/1 with 888Sport. Elsewhere, Christian Eriksen was on target in their victory over Leicester on Sunday and you can claim the dangerous Dane at a best of 12/1 with William Hill.

Other options here might include Christian Pulisic at best odds of 12/1 with BetFred and as a real outside punt, the threat from set pieces of Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier may see some interest at a generous top price of 33/1 from William Hill.

Our tip here is Alcacer: It may be an obvious one but in their developing Champions League history Spurs have been vulnerable to the top strikers and the prolific Spaniard looks quite generous at 6/1.

Other Side Bets

Even without Harry Kane, there will be a lot of support for the Both Teams to Score bet which is on offer here at best odds of 4/6 with William Hill. It’s an odds on sum but there will be some interest when punters look at the firepower on both sides.

However, we fear it may be a difficult night for the home team: You could vote ‘No’ to BTTS but we’re going to conclude this preview with a tip on Under 2.5 goals at 30/29 with 10Bet and RedZoneSports. Spurs have performed admirably without Harry Kane but against a meaner defence, their luck may just be about to run out.

As for the result, Spurs had the upper hand against Dortmund last season but the Germans look to be a stronger side this time around. With Alcacer providing the scoring threat, a long few weeks for Tottenham could lead to a big deficit when they head to Dortmund for the second leg.

Best Bets:

• Borussia Dortmund to win at 9/4 with Unibet
• Paco Alcacer to score the first goal at 6/1 with 888Sport
• Under 2.5 Goals at 30/29 with 10Bet