Manic March

Article by e-Spurs Correspondent Sean Walsh

Chelsea, Benfica, Arsenal, Benfica again, Southampton, and then Liverpool; This March is not going to be an easy one for Tottenham Hotspur.

Usually our hard run of fixtures come in April, leaving little time to make up lost ground, which has cost us in recent years. Now though, we have a large enough squad to cope with the packed fixtures, and enough quality to pick up a lot of points. So, where will these points be won and lost?

Chelsea (away):

Stamford Bridge has never been a happy hunting ground for Spurs, so I can imagine many of you reading this will be anxious ahead of this fixture. Last year, though, we gave Chelsea a very tough time on their own turf, and it was one we would have won on another day. We haven’t lost at Stamford Bridge since 2011, where Chelsea’s two goals shouldn’t have stood (Yes, I’m still very bitter). Tim Sherwood will be keen to add a managerial win over the Blues to his list of achievements against the West London club, and with everything still to play for, he’ll be very much up for this one.

Benfica (home):

With Benfica being a drop down team, don’t be surprised if there are any more claims of how bad the layout of the Europa League is in the next week or two. The Lisbon club are top of the Portuguese league, and will be hoping to go one better in this competition after losing out to Chelsea in the dying moments in last season’s final. Don’t underestimate them; they have some very good players that will cause us trouble, and it’s exactly why we have to take advantage of this home leg. Many have bemoaned the recent atmosphere at the Lane, and this fixture is one of Champions League quality- expect a crowd ready for a European ‘glory glory’ night.

Arsenal (home):

Much like ourselves, Arsenal will be in the middle of a hectic period, so victory in this North London derby will be all the more sweeter. The Gunners are falling behind in the title race, and some are suggesting their fixture list could see them be dragged back into the race for the top 4. Our losses at the Emirates will provide enough motivation if there already wasn’t any- none of us want to lose to Arsenal three times in one campaign.

Benfica (away):

An away day of dreams, our trip to the Estadio da Luz must be a successful one if our hopes of winning a trophy are to remain intact. Benfica will be up for the occasion, and have a decent record against English clubs in the Portuguese capital. A win may not only mean a possible second consecutive Europa League quarter final, but it may provide us with plenty of momentum to see out the rest of this difficult period.

Southampton (home):

Tim Sherwood’s first victims will be March’s last visitors to White Hart Lane, and the Saints will have one eye on taking 7th place from Manchester United. Mauricio Pochettino has had Southampton playing some very good football this season, and although they spent plenty in the summer, it’s their home-grown talent taking the plaudits this year. Their high-pressing style may take advantage of some tired legs after a round trip to Portugal and back, but our desire to make the top 4 could give us the edge.

Liverpool (away):

December’s reverse fixture will be brought up many a time before this one, but we’re not the only victims. Liverpool can boast Europe’s highest scoring strike partnership, and have become one of England’s most feared teams again. However, their defensive vulnerabilities will definitely be one thing that can be exploited, with some astute defending having put Liverpool into precarious positions several times this season. Although Brendan Rogers reiterates Liverpool’s main goal is to return to the Champions League, his side is one very capable of winning the Premier League.

If we’re to scale Europe’s dizzying heights again, we must come out of this fixture list with smiles, not scars.

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