Tottenham Hotspur Season 2013
Tottenham Hotspur could be positioning themselves for a great season on both the domestic and European fronts. After the failed Andre Villas-Boas experiment at Chelsea, the young Portuguese manager has taken up where Harry Redknapp left off at White Hart Lane and has continued to make Spurs a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League. They have already made a firm case for themselves of being the top London side in the top flight, which is a big claim to fame for them in terms of bragging rights over the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, who have they have spent many years in the shadows of.
While their Premier League title hopes this season remain perhaps a distant dream still, with the power of Manchester United looking as if they are going to run away with it, Tottenham are looking to secure themselves a top three place in order to claim another shot at the UEFA Champions League. So while Tottenham Hotspur are nothing but a long shot to win the Premier League outright this term, they are solid value for a top three or top four finish. Tottenham, who finished fourth in last season’s Premier League would take a third place finish as a step forward. There will also be the attraction of some potential silverware in the FA Cup as well, opening with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Coventry City. Given their lucrative history in the famous old competition, Spurs could go deep, especially if they draw plenty of home advantage and provide good value.
Because of Chelsea winning the Champions League last season, Tottenham were denied a spot in the 2012/13 edition, having to settle instead for a spot in the Europa League. That misfortune could turn out to have a silver lining for Spurs, as their chance of success is pretty high in the competition. They first have a knockout stage tie against Lyon, who are usually a staple of the last sixteen in the Champions League, but fell short this year in a disappointing campaign. With the French side challenging the deep-pocketed Paris St Germain for the Ligue 1 title though, it will be a great test of Tottenham’s true mettle in Europe this term. The two sides have only met once before in Europe, both sides winning their home legs in the second round of the 1967 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
Success of Tottenham’s season could all come down to two men. England striker Jermain Defoe, who is a solid bet to finish as top scorer for the club this season, has had one of his more productive terms so far, thriving under the Andre Villas-Boas system. His goals will be vital, especially after losing Emmanuel Adebayor to his country Togo for the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February. Welsh winger Gareth Bale, perhaps the London club’s biggest asset with his goals and assists, has to stay fit, and could be the backbone of a great season for Tottenham.
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