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Spurs record in Europe:-

 
U.E.F.A Champions League
 
 P   W   D   L   F - A
12   5   3   4  25 -19
 
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/Europa League
 P    W   D   L   F - A
109  62  29  18  226-89 
 
(Winners 1972, 1984
 Finalists 1974)
 
Total
P    W   D   L   F - A
162 91  38  33  337-155
     

Nothing to fear here, surely?

Spurs have travelled to Moscow, not Makhachkala in Dagestan, to play the recently enriched FC Anzhi Makhachkala. Anzhi's home stadium is in the capital city of Dagestan (a province of Russia on the coast of the Caspian Sea), but due to unrest and conflict, UEFA requires them to play their European games in the Moscow suburbs. They probably don't use one of the main stadia, because they are so hated by the various Moscow team fans due to their enrichment, and also for political and religious reasons.

For a couple of years Anzhi were big news, thanks to their rich owner Suleyman Kerimov, who this summer decided to pull back his financial commitment to the team which had been managed by Gus Hiddink, and included such high profile (and ultra high earning) players such as Samuel Eto'o and Willian, both of whom moved to Chelsea for big fees in August. Willian, of course, was supposed to be coming to Spurs, and even went so far as to sign the contract, but was lured to Stamford Bridge for bigger money, where he has so far made just two starts, playing 90 minutes in the league cup against Swindon. Apart from the rancour over the player being snatched in this way, Spurs have been making great progress with the seven signings they have introduced anyway, and can forget about the peripheral Willian.

There has been an exodus of high profile players in the transfer window from Anzhi, including last season's QPR signing Christopher Samba, who joined 5 other players going to Dinamo, one of whom was former Chelsea player Yuri Zhirkov. Lassana Diarra has gone to Lokomotiv. The remaining players in the squad are mostly Russian.

Anzhi finished third in their league last season, which gave them direct entry to the Europa League group stage. They drew their first game 0-0 in Moldova against FC Sheriff, who Spurs will play later this month.

Anzhi are level on only 6 points with bottom club Terek, after 11 games in a season which started for them in July. The new squad hasn't won a game yet, drawing 5 of their last 6 games in both league and Europa League.

Anzhi took part in last season's Europa League and got as far as the Third Round losing 1-0 on aggregate to Newcastle.

There does not appear to be much for Spurs to fear here, but Andre Villas-Boas is the ultimate professional, who will field a competitive team. After all, our "second string" have won their Europa League and Capital One Cup games convincingly so far. Jan Vertonghen and Paulinho have been rested and did not travel. AVB has said he is hopeful that Danny Rose will be fit for Sunday's game against West Ham, whilst Aaron Lennon and Etienne Capoue remain out of action.

The team therefore could be Friedel; Walker, Chiriches, Kaboul, Naughton; Dembele, Sandro; Townsend, Holtby, Lamela; Defoe.

That should be enough to secure for Spurs at least a two goal win in what appears to be a quite easy group stage for the team.

The officials for this game are from Turkey, and the referee, Mr. Bulent Yildirim refereed the first leg of Sheriff's Champions League qualifier in July against Sutjeska (from Montenegro).

I have not made the trip to Russia, and like most Spurs fans, will be watching at home today. I'll offer a TV eye report following the game.

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