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Spurs record in Europe:-

European Cup
P   W   D   L   F - A
8   4   1   3  21 - 13

(Semi-Finalists 1962)

European Cup Winners Cup

P   W   D   L   F - A
33  20  5   8  65 - 34

(Winners 1963)

UEFA Cup
P   W   D   L   F - A
76 47  17  12  170-61 

(Winners 1972, 1984
 Finalists 1974)

Total
P    W   D   L   F - A
117 71  23  23  256-108




PSV's matches in Europe this season:-

Champions League Group 1

PSV         2-1    CSKA
Inter       2-0    PSV
PSV         0-0    Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce  2-0    PSV
CSKA        0-1    PSV
PSV         0-1    Inter

UEFA CUP (Round of 32)

PSV         2-0    Helsingborg
Helsingborg 1-2    PSV

This time last year, when Spurs were on their way to Portugal to play Braga, PSV had just knocked out Arsenal from last season's Champions' League, after beating them 1-0 at home, then securing a 1-1 draw at The Emirates Stadium. Spurs fans and PSV fans mingled and shook hands at various airports around the country. In the next round - the quarter finals, PSV lost at home and away to Liverpool.

PSV qualified for this season's Champions League again, as a result of winning the Dutch League on goal difference from Ajax, who are not so hot on their heels this year, but still second, 6 points behind. After eliminating the gooners last year, PSV suffered an ignominious 5-1 home defeat to Ajax, who they play again this coming Sunday.

Like Spurs, PSV suffered a defeat last week-end. In PSV'S case it was their first loss in 13 games. They lost 3-1 away to Utrecht. PSV fielded a strong enough side, but I notice that they did have their top scorer Danny Koevermans on the bench. Koevermans has one more League goal to his name than Serbian striker Danko Lazovic. Lazovic has been more prolific recently, as has Belgian midfielder Timmy Simons, who has scored 4 goals in the last five games. 23 year old Eindhoven born Wing man Otman Bakkal, has also been a danger in recent games, scoring three in six matches.

PSV have been a consistent Champions League side for ten years, and the best team in Holland for the last three years. Apart from last year's quarter-finals, they were semi-finalists in 2004-05, losing to AC Milan, who went to lose in that dramatic final to Liverpool.

PSV are previous European Champions (1988) and UEFA Cup winners (1978). The PSV stands for Philips Sport Vereniging (Philips Sports Union). There is another club in Eindhoven (Eindhoven FC), but they are bottom of the Dutch second division.

Many famous names have been associated with this club over the years, including of course Gus Hiddink, and our own Bobby Robson, who garnered the talent of Brazil's Ronaldo. Spurs signed Lee Young-Pyo from PSV, and his fellow countryman Park Ji-Sung also used to play there. You can add the names of Gullit, Romario, Koeman, Stam, Van Nistelrooy, Van Bommel and Robben to the list of those who have worn the red and white stripes of PSV, which will be on parade at White Hart lane on Thursday night.

It's going to be a big night at The Lane on Thursday, when the Carling Cup will be presented to the crowd before kick-off. Gus Poyet has called for an atmosphere akin to the Arsenal game, and Spurs will need to pull all the stops out to secure a lead sufficient to ensure progression to the last 8 of the one remaining target for Juande Ramos this season.

I am convinced that Saturday's performance at Birmingham was an anomaly, and have no doubt that the players will be just as keyed up for this match as they were for Chelsea at Wembley. Alan Hutton is cup-tied, so Chimbonda will presumably return to right back, where he is most comfortable. Jonathan Woodgate will surely play, and whilst there are suggestions that Ledley might be ready to play again, I suspect that will not be the case. Gilberto may be ready to make his debut, but of course Lee would love to play against his old team, but he has been nursing an ankle injury recently. Michael Dawson may also be ready to return.

Spurs will be almost at full strength then (taking Bale's long term absence into account), and they will need to be on their game to gain the two goal lead that I think will be required to take to Holland next week.

I'll be bold and go for a 3-1 to Spurs.

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