Tottenham have ‘big problem’ to worry about after UEFA development
Paul Robinson shared his worry that England’s co-efficient struggles in Europe could hinder Tottenham in their Champions League quest amid a “pivotal” run of fixtures.
The two nations with the best average coefficient rating gets a fifth spot in Europe’s premier competition next season with England in a battle with Italy and Germany (UEFA.com).
Spurs can, of course, take that fact out of the equation by finishing fourth but a 4-0 humbling at Newcastle United on Saturday (13 April) left them three points adrift of Aston Villa – albeit they have a game in hand.
Tottenham’s next three Premier League matches are against Arsenal (28 April), Chelsea (2 May) and Liverpool (5 May), a run ex-Spurs keeper Robinson thinks will be crucial for Ange Postecoglou’s hopes of leading his team in the Champions League next term.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Robinson said: “Yeah of course they can, I think they can still get top four they’re three points behind Villa with a game in hand.
“I think the big problem we’ve got now is the co-efficiency we talked about all season with the fifth place coming our way. But you look at the points now with Germany and Italy sitting above us in that table and if Liverpool go out to Atalanta in the Europa League that’s more points going the other way, West Ham against Leverkusen too, it’s not looking ideal for them.
“So, all of a sudden that fifth place we did look like getting because of the way the points are constructed it may well just be the fourth place.
“I think Spurs can get it they’re a game behind Villa. The worrying thing for me is looking at the fixtures in the next few weeks for Tottenham, the run-in. At home to Arsenal in the North London derby, I mean no one can predict that one it’s always going to be a difficult game.
“Then they go to Chelsea, who put six past Everton, Chelsea all of a sudden are looking like an outside chance for a European place and away at the Bridge is never going to be easy for a Tottenham side, then they play Liverpool.
“So their next three games, they’re at home to Arsenal, away at Chelsea, away at Liverpool. Then they’ve got Burnley at home, which you would like to think they can go and win that game. Then they’re at home to Manchester City.
“I know they’ve got a great record against Manchester City and by that point from a Spurs point of view you’re hoping that league is done and dusted, tied up. but Manchester City could be coming to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where Tottenham could need to win it to get a Champions League place, Manchester City could need to win it to win the league so that could turn out to be one hell of a game on.
“But the next three games are going to be pivotal to what happens. It’s a tough couple of weeks for Tottenham.”
Tottenham facing huge period in Champions League hunt
The reverse at Newcastle was a big shock to the system and a really poor result for Tottenham in the context of their Premier League run-in.
Right now, the battle for fourth between Spurs and Villa is very back and forth. Villa defeated Arsenal on Sunday but have had their own dip recently.
It was looking like there could be the safety net of a fifth spot getting a Champions League spot but that is looking unlikely now.
Spurs have some huge matches coming up and it is a period that will ultimately define their campaign.
In other Tottenham news, Emerson Royal will be ready for Arsenal amid Pedro Porro update.
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