Tottenham v Monaco preview: Moussa Dembele available for Champions League opener

By Patrick Surlis

Image: Moussa Dembele (L) is available again for Tottenham having been suspended for the first four games of the season

Moussa Dembele is available to face Monaco in Tottenham's opening Champions League group game on Wednesday.

Spurs received a boost on Tuesday when they confirmed a new five-year contract for midfielder Eric Dier.

Dembele's availability is further good news for Mauricio Pochettino, although the Tottenham manager will be without Danny Rose, who is still recovering from a knock suffered on England duty.

These two teams met each other for the first time in last season's Europa League group stage, with Spurs winning 4-1 at White Hart Lane.

Eric Dier thinks he can help Tottenham go onto big things after signing a new five-year deal with the club

Wednesday's game will see a change of venue, though, as Tottenham host Monaco at Wembley due to the continuing development of their new stadium in north London.

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Spurs welcome back Dembele, who has missed the first four games of the campaign due to a domestic ban carried over from last season.

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He received the suspension for violent conduct after clashing with Chelsea striker Diego Costa during the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino may look to ease the Belgium international back into action from the bench, while Moussa Sissoko is in contention to feature and Rose is out.

Image: Danny Rose picked up an injury on England duty

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Tottenham have won one of their last five Champions League games (1-0 v AC Milan in February 2011), drawing two and losing two.

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Tottenham are the first team since Arsenal to play their Champions League home games at Wembley. The Gunners did it in the 1998/99 and 1999/00 group stages, winning only two of their six games (D1 L3).

This is Monaco's seventh Champions League campaign. Only Lyon (14), Marseille and Paris SG (9) have more among French clubs.

Image: Moussa Sissoko in action on his Tottenham debut against Stoke

Monaco have reached the knockout stages in five of their previous six Champions League campaigns, including the final in 2004 (0-3 v Porto).

Eight of Monaco's last nine Champions League goals have been scored in the second half.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino thinks his team will get a lift from playing their home Champions League matches at Wembley

Monaco have also conceded only one goal in their last eight group games in the Champions League, against Benfica in November 2014.

Erik Lamela scored four goals in two games against Monaco in last season's Europa League, including a first-half hat-trick at White Hart Lane.

Charlie's prediction

Monaco have started the season well and look like a pretty solid unit, winning 4-1 at Lille at the weekend after convincingly beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-1.

Pochettino highlights the importance of developing talent at Tottenham after Dier signed a new long-term deal

I think they're stronger than when Spurs beat them last season, but I must admit Spurs produced a big display at the weekend.

Alongside Arsenal's performance against Watford and a couple of first halves from Man City, that performance at Stoke was up there with the most impressive in the Premier League so far.

Image: Harry Kane grabbed his first league goal of the season against Stoke

Pochettino acknowledged that they're starting to get over last season, especially with Harry Kane getting a goal.

It will be interesting to see how many changes he makes. We were talking about when and where are they going to play Sissoko on Soccer Saturday. These European nights could be the chance, especially against a French side.

Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Kane to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)

Charlie's CL predictions

Champions League: Charlie Nicholas tips wins for Man City and Tottenham

Betting

Group E favourites Tottenham are 7/10 with Sky Bet to make a winning start to their Champions League campaign, with Monaco 4/1 outsiders while the draw is priced at 13/5.

Pochettino's men are 11/8 to top their group, with Bayer Leverkusen considered their main competition at 15/8, while Monaco and CSKA Moscow are 4/1 apiece. Spurs are, however, up against odds of 40/1 to win the competition.

Kane heads the first goalscorer betting at 4/1 with Radamel Falcao considered the visitors' main threat at 7/1 to net first.

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