Tottenham Champions League round of 16 preview - odds, prediction and route to the final

Tottenham are back in Champions League action this week as they face Atletico Madrid

Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in the position of seeking refuge on the continent as the Champions League returns this week.

Despite a domestic campaign that has seen them lurch from one disaster to another, currently sitting one point off the relegation zone, Spurs remain a different beast in Europe, having finished the league phase as one of the competition's top performers.

They travel to face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano on March 10 as significant 17/4 outsiders with bet365 to take a first-leg lead back to North London, with Atletico Madrid priced at 8/13.

While Tottenham are currently 25/1 longshots to lift the trophy in Budapest, the return of captain Cristian Romero provides a timely boost for a side that has made a habit of defying their domestic form under the Wednesday night lights.

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Tottenham Hotspur are in a bad way right now. They can't attack, they can't defend and they are currently lurching from one disaster to another. However, for some unknown reason, European football has been their solace in recent campaigns.

This was evident last season when they won the Europa League despite finishing 17th in the Premier League, and a similar pattern has emerged this term. Spurs currently sit 16th in the domestic table, yet they remarkably finished the Champions League league phase with only three teams ending up above them.

The focus for the club must remain on steering away from relegation danger, but this trip to Madrid to face Atletico presents an opportunity to perform away from those intense domestic pressures. It is a chance to try and regain some confidence and set up a big second leg back in North London next week.

The squad is bolstered by the return of captain Cristian Romero, who is available to play again after his four-game Premier League suspension. Furthermore, while Micky van de Ven was sent off against Crystal Palace on Thursday, he has not yet begun serving his one-match ban, allowing him to feature in this crucial European tie.

Romero remains the vital figure for Spurs. As Tottenham's best player, he has won more big matches and trophies than the rest of the squad combined, and he is the individual who, on his day, drives the team to be better.

On the other side, Atletico’s Julián Álvarez represents a major threat; he knows how to play against Premier League opposition and has been among the goals and assists this season, particularly in the Champions League. He is likely to give the shaky Spurs backline a tough night, and it is possible to see an exit for Tottenham at this stage of the competition.

Looking at the wider tournament, Arsenal currently look like the strongest candidates. Their style of play and ability to grind out results is perfect for tournament football; they are leading the way in the Premier League and progressed with eight wins from eight in the Champions League.

Tottenham's potential route to the Champions League final:

Last 16 : Atletico Madrid

Quarter-finals: Newcastle or Barcelona

Semi-finals: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodø/Glimt or Sporting CP

Final: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, PSG, Atalanta, Galatasaray or Bayern Munich

To win the Champions League odds with bet365

Arsenal 5/2

Bayern Munich 11/2

Barcelona 6/1

Man City 8/1

PSG 10/1

Liverpool 10/1

Real Madrid 12/1

Atletico Madrid 20/1

Chelsea 25/1

Newcastle 25/1

Tottenham 25/1

BAR 28/1

They will certainly fancy their chances with their side of the draw. However, Bayern Munich remain a formidable opponent with a squad full of elite talent—not least Harry Kane, the world's most complete striker, who will be eager to fire them to glory.

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