(Tottenham - Marseille )TONIGHT's group stage final with Champions League progression in their hands... but what exactly does Antonio Conte's side need? Can they afford to draw? Where does defeat leave them? And who can they play in the last 16?
Tottenham take on Marseille tonight with Champions League qualification still very much in their hands, but despite sitting top of group D their much-anticipated return to Europe's top competition could end prematurely.
The north London side defied the odds to qualify for the Champions League last season, with Antonio Conte - who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in November - inspiring his side to a top-four finish that seemed implausible when he arrived.
Conte will be forced to watch from the stands as his side play the most important game of their season to date, however, having been shown a red card as Tottenham suffered bitter disappointment against Sporting Lisbon last week.
Tottenham last week had a golden opportunity to seal qualification for the last-16 with a game to play, needing only to beat the Portuguese outfit at home. And, after falling behind to an early Marcus Edwards goal, Harry Kane believed he had completed the turnaround, only for his 95th-minute winner to be controversially ruled out by VAR.
So, instead of qualifying for the knockouts as group winners, the action in an enticing Group D continues to the final day, with all four teams still able to go through.
ivorycoasttribune.com