Spurs head into this game with a well fought out 1-0 advantage after emerging victors from the San Siro, thanks to a Peter Crouch goal and they will be hoping that they can do what local rivals Arsenal couldn't do and progress to the quarter finals.
Redknapp's men will feel they will have a point to prove after twice surrendering their lead against Premier League struggler's Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend, in the enthralling 3-3 draw.
Redknapp will have felt relief to even leave the game with a point at the final whistle due to the constant bombardment of pressure from Mick McCarthy's men and has already admitted that Alan Hutton was lucky to remain on the field come the final whistle.
But the Spurs boss is not the type of person to reflect on a result for too long and will have installed a sense of belief and confidence into his players that they are just 90 minutes away from two further Champion's League clashes.
Tottenham were ranked as one of the outsiders for tournament but after topping their group, which included Inter Milan and beating AC Milan in the first leg their odds have been cut dramatically.
That takes us onto tonight's game.
The fixture will already rank up there alongside the greatest of European nights at White Hart Lane as nobody really gave Redknapp's men any chance of progressing in the tournament but to find themselves with a 1-0 advantage over AC Milan and the prospect of going further in Europe's elite club competition must surely have Spurs fans licking their lips with delight.
AC Milan look in danger of conceding goals at the back due to their old and expiring defenders, mainly Alessandro Nesta. The one time Italian rock doesn't look as steady as he used to and Spurs will look to exploit this.
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| Gattuso and Jordan getting heated |
The Italian side are already without Gennaro Gattuso after his altercation with Tottenham coach Joe Jordan so will be looking at Mattheiu Flamini to cope with the dangers of the Spurs midfield.
Without Gattuso I can see Milan fielding a 4-3-3 formation with Ibrahimovic, Pato and Robinho taking their places up front. That on paper looks like one of the most deadliest strike forces on the planet but when you look a little closer you see the weak link. Ibrahimovic.
Surprisingly the Swedish striker has never beaten an English side in Europe and will be looking to rectify this situation in tonight's fixture to help Milan claim their place in the quarter finals.
Spurs will more than likely play attacking football and will look to build on their lead rather than sit back on it and why shouldn't they?
With players like Rafael Van der Vaart and Aaron Lennon they certainly have an attacking prowess that would leave many teams envious. To add to this Redknapp has decided that star player is only good enough for the bench tonight, so should he come on there will be a real attacking ethos about the Spurs side.
AC Milan have only ever beaten an English team on English soil once and I can't see tonight being a second. I can see Spurs pushing their Italian opponents all game and will eventually come out on top.
The AC Milan have recently described Peter Crouch as 'the hardest striker to play against' after their first leg clash and I believe the England international will once again be tough to handle for the European giants.
I can see the lanky striker finding the scoresheet and wouldn't be shocked if he was to get the first goal. Peter Crouch to get the first goal.
Jermain Defoe found the net twice against relegation strugglers Wolves at the weekend and this will have installed a new lease of confidence into the striker's mind. I'm one for believing in fairy tale endings and I believe this game will have one. I can see Jermain Defoe coming off the bench to double the Spurs lead and take them through to the next round, giving him 100 goals for Tottenham in the process. Jermain Defoe to get the last goal.
As I have already indicated I can see both Peter crouch and Jermain Defoe scoring a goal a piece which leaves the score at Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 AC Milan.
The tips I am offering for this game are:
- Peter Crouch to get the first goal- 5/1 with Coral
- Jermain Defoe to get the last goal- 11/2 with Coral
- Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 AC Milan- 11/1 with Coral
Alternatively if you favour my bets a double of Peter Crouch to get the first goal and the game to finish 2-0 to Tottenham is offered at 40/1 with Coral.
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