Young Boys vs Tottenham – Defoe can give Spurs first leg edge

Tottenham embark on a journey into the unknown on Tuesday night, as they take on Swiss side Young Boys for the first time in an attempt to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

The Bern-based club currently lie in seventh place in the Swiss Super League, having lost 1-0 at home to Neuchatel Xamax on Saturday.

Another 1-0 defeat for the Bern side against Spurs is priced at 5/1, and such a result would put Harry Redknapp’s men in pole position to secure the club’s first ever Champions League qualification.

Whereas their opponents have won only twice in nine matches, Spurs have lost only three of their last 13 Premier League fixtures.

Redknapp will have been pleased with Tottenham’s performance in their 0-0 Premier League opener against Manchester City and a similarly fluid showing against Young Boys should yield a better result.

Young Boys’ somewhat disappointing league position, however, could be misleading.

In the previous Champions League qualifying round, the Swiss underdogs claimed an excellent 1-0 win away to Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce.

And their odds of 4/1 to beat Tottenham suggest that a win for the home side is far from impossible.

As much scope as there is for an upset, 8/11 favourites Spurs will be hoping that a professional performance will earn them a first leg lead to carry into the return fixture at White Hart Lane next week.

With goal threats all over the pitch – and from the bench as well, should reinforcements be required – Tottenham should overpower their opponents.

Jermain Defoe was only denied a goal on the opening weekend by an inspired Joe Hart in the Manchester City goal, and the England forward looks like a good bet to open the scoring at 9/2.

Another candidate to break the deadlock in Switzerland, Robbie Keane, has been in lethal pre-season form, and the Irishman is an enticing 5/1 to score first against Young Boys.

Gareth Bale was a menace on the left wing against Manchester City on Saturday, and the Welshman is 10/1 to break the deadlock against Young Boys. See the full Young Boys vs Tottenham Match Betting Odds market.