The Mirror

Igor Tudor is still searching for a positive result since taking over at Tottenham Hotspur and now has the tough challenge of Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid side

Stepping away from their Premier League relegation fight, struggling Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid. Despite their troubles at home, Spurs impressed in Europe, finishing fourth in the league phase and outperforming domestic giants such as PSG, Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Chelsea. They recorded five wins, including notable 2-0 victories over Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.

While European competition has offered Tottenham a welcome respite—much like during Ange Postecoglou’s memorable second season—their domestic form has been disastrous. Thursday’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace saw Igor Tudor’s side set a club record of 11 consecutive Premier League games without a win, leaving them just a point above the relegation zone. With five straight losses in all competitions, and three under Tudor, speculation is mounting over his future, though he will remain in charge for this challenging first leg.

Atletico Madrid, who finished three points and ten places below Spurs in the league phase, survived a dramatic playoff against Club Brugge, ultimately progressing 7-4 on aggregate after a 4-1 home win inspired by an Alexander Sorloth hat-trick. Traditionally known for their defensive solidity, Atletico ended the league phase with the worst defensive record among the top 16 teams, conceding 15 goals, and recent performances suggest their backline issues persist. They have conceded five goals in their last two matches—a 3-0 Copa del Rey loss to Barcelona (rendered meaningless by their first-leg advantage) and a 3-2 La Liga win over Real Sociedad.

Despite their defensive struggles, Atletico have won their last four home games, scoring at least three goals in each. However, their only previous competitive meeting with Tottenham ended in a heavy defeat, as Spurs triumphed 5-1 in the 1963 Cup Winners’ Cup final, with Jimmy Greaves scoring twice. Nearly 63 years later, a repeat of that result seems highly unlikely, but Tottenham will hope their European form can provide some relief from their domestic woes as they seek a fourth consecutive Champions League victory and a sixth clean sheet in seven tournament matches.

Atletico vs Tottenham Prediciton

Atletico to win to nil - 9/5 ( William Hill )

Under 2.5 goals - 17/20 ( William Hill )

Atletico vs Tottenham Team News

Tottenham’s defeat to Crystal Palace was set in motion by Micky van de Ven’s red card for a last-man foul, but the Dutch defender will serve his suspension in domestic competition and is available for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash, as is Cristian Romero, who has completed his own league ban. The visitors benefited from a weekend off following their early FA Cup exit, and manager Igor Tudor is optimistic that Djed Spence could return from a calf injury, with Destiny Udogie (thigh) also nearing a comeback.

However, Spurs remain without several key players: Wilson Odobert (ACL), James Maddison (ACL), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Ben Davies (ankle), Lucas Bergvall (ankle), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), and Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh) are all sidelined. Additionally, Radu Dragusin, who missed Thursday’s loss due to a knock, will need to be assessed ahead of the trip to Madrid.

For Atletico Madrid, January signing Rodrigo Mendoza was forced off at halftime against Real Sociedad with an ankle injury, which could keep the 20-year-old out for the rest of the month. He is one of only two fitness concerns for Diego Simeone, with the other being Pablo Barrios, who is back in training after a hamstring issue and should be available. Antoine Griezmann, who has confirmed he will remain in Spain despite MLS speculation, made a significant impact off the bench against Real Sociedad, as did two-goal hero Nico Gonzalez—both are pushing for starting spots in Tuesday’s match.

Football Betting Offers

If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site.

Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here.

Full terms and conditions apply | gambleaware.org | Gamble responsibly | 18+ | UK only

Gamble responsibly

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.

Tottenham are just a point above the relegation zone following a winless run of 11 matches in the Premier League, but turn their attention to the Champions League on Tuesday night

Igor Tudor has admitted that avoiding relegation is the top priority for Tottenham this season as he prepares to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Spurs have travelled to Spain for the first leg of their last-16 tie against Atleti, but face a perilous situation in the Premier League.

Tudor's side sit 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone, following a miserable run of 11 games without a win - their worst run since 1975. They are the only team in the league yet to have won in 2026 and Tudor's arrival to replace Thomas Frank is yet to have the desired effect.

He has lost all three of his games so far, against Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace, and is already facing speculation about his job. Spurs finished 17th last season under Ange Postecoglou, but qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.

They finished in the top eight of the Champions League group phase to go straight into the last 16 of the competition, where they face a tough test against Diego Simeone's battle-hardened side on Tuesday night.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

Asked how important the Atletico games were, Tudor replied: "Of course, it's very important. It's important, as I said, always, after the game, we need to be focused on us. We have to grow. So, it can be an opportunity.

"A totally different mentality can be used in this kind of game. So maybe this can help us to see which problems we have, I believe that these kinds of games can help us to switch in the right way, but always focus on us, to grow as a team, to do things better. And that's the point."

Asked if the game was like a 'free hit' to find the best approach for the Premier League, Tudor agreed. "As I said, focus on us, playing a team, who has a story in this Champions League, what they have experienced, they have quality," he said.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Spurs avoid the drop? Comment below.

"We need to do our best in terms that we need to grow, as you said also. Because our first aim is the Premier League - this needs to be said publicly, this is a normal thing - this is something extra. But that doesn't mean that we don't want to pass and don’t want to go to the next round."

Spurs host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday before crunch matches against Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Brighton and Wolves. Tudor only signed a contract until the end of the season and it has been suggested that Spurs are eyeing Roberto De Zerbi as a possible replacement this summer.

Tottenham ready to AXE captain Cristian Romero - even if they stay in Premier League

Tottenham have endured a miserable season and are facing the very real threat of being relegated to the Championship, with captain Cristian Romero set to depart regardless

Tottenham Hotspur could show the door to captain Cristian Romero this summer regardless of what league they end up in. The north London side have endured a miserable campaign and are facing the threat of relegation to the Championship.

Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the drop zone, after replacing Thomas Frank with Igor Tudor. Despite doubts over which league they could be playing in next season, club chiefs are ready to kick off a mass overhaul ahead of next season.

According to The Telegraph, Argentine defender Romero is among those who could be sold in order to finance a rebuild. The 27-year-old originally wanted to leave last summer, but Spurs held firm on their valuation.

Romero eventually ended up signing a new contract and was handed the club captaincy. But he has endured a tricky season since, having missed six games through suspension, while he also criticised the way the club was run on social media.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

He wrote: "Great effort from all my teammates yesterday, they were incredible. I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn't feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available - unbelievable but true and disgraceful.

"We'll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that's left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans."

He added: "At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don't - as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well.

"We'll stay here, working, sticking together and giving our all to turn things around. Especially at times like this, keeping quiet, working harder and moving forward all together, is part of football."

Spurs have now come to the conclusion that a parting of the ways might be beneficial for both parties. Atletico Madrid - who Spurs take on in the Champions League last 16 - are among his admirers should the defender choose to leave.

Romero was signed from Atalanta in 2021, initially on loan but with an option to make that deal permanent. Spurs eventually went through with a deal, with the defender having since gone on to make 152 appearances for the club.

He is far from the only star potentially available this summer. It is also suggested that Spurs would be open to doing deals for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and full-back Pedro Porro.

Manchester United could be on the lookout for a new manager at the end of the season with Michael Carrick in interim charge

Manchester United managerial target Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly 'keen' on the Old Trafford job in the summer, in what could be a blow to both Michael Carrick and Tottenham Hotspur.

United are on the lookout for a manager in the summer, with Carrick currently in interim charge until the end of the season, though he has been talked about as a candidate for the permanent role. Under his stewardship, United have won six, drawn one and lost one of their last eight Premier League matches.

That has not stopped the club being linked with other potential candidates. According to the Telegraph, former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi is ‘of interest’ to United and appears ‘prominently’ on the shortlist.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE!Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

The report adds that the Italian is 'keen' on the job. De Zerbi is currently out of work after leaving Ligue 1 side Marseille back in February.

He has been linked with the Tottenham job, which is set to be available in the summer. Spurs appointed Igor Tudor on an interim basis following the sacking of Thomas Frank.

Tottenham are fighting against relegation to the Championship, but the Telegraph says that if they do survive, then De Zerbi could be seen as a long-term option for the club.

The side are currently in 16th position in the Premier League table, one point clear of the bottom three.

Given the current positions of the club, and the possibility of Champions League football at Old Trafford next season, United is likely to be a more attractive proposition to a potential candidate in the summer.

As well as De Zerbi, United have been linked with other potential candidates, including Oliver Glasner, Julian Nagelsmann and Carlo Ancelotti.

For Tottenham, the club have been strongly linked with the return of Mauricio Pochettino, who has refused to rule out a potential summer move following the World Cup.

During a radio interview in Spain, he said: "I'm always linked [to clubs], to Tottenham, just like at one time I was linked to Espanyol, or to other clubs. In the end, especially because of my past at those clubs, when things aren't going well, people tend to fall back on emotions and say, 'Well, with Mauricio we played good football', or whatever it may be.

"But no. We're focused on the World Cup, on the United States. My contract runs until after the World Cup, so after that we'll see what might happen. Open to everything, right?"

Tottenham are just a point above the bottom three as they remain winless since December with Igor Tudor doing little to improve their fortunes since he arrived

Tim Sherwood claims Igor Tudor "looks lost" as Tottenham boss with the reality of the Premier League setting in - as he begins to air excuses for the team's poor displays despite being adamant they would avoid the drop.

The north Londoners haven't picked up a point since the Croatian came in to replace Thomas Frank with the team in free fall. They have lost all three games he's taken charge of with very little by way of positives to hold onto.

Tudor had never coached in England before landing the Tottenham gig until the end of the season, but came in and was adamant the club would remain in the top flight despite their slide down the table. Sherwood played for and managed Tottenham and believes that Tudor already looks stunned by challenges he's facing in the Premier League.

The ex-player told Sky Sports: "I think he's been slapped straight in the face by the competition in the Premier League. It ain't easy. This is a tough competition. He looks lost at times on the touchline; he knew nothing about it."

Tottenham have been beaten by Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace since their change of manager. It was the defeat to the Eagles last week that saw the fans leaving in their thousands by half-time as their disillusion and frustration appeared to peak.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

Tudor is without a number of his leading lights, the likes of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, and has already cited a host of issues that he's inherited. They include his lack of available players, poor fitness levels and shortcomings in every area of the pitch.

Tottenham are by far the worst performing team in the top flight at present. They are without a win in the league in 2026, a run of 11 games that has seen them lose seven and draw four. As a result they now sit just a point above the bottom three with Sherwood noticing that Tudor seems to have changed his tune.

"He's gone from, 'I 100 per cent guarantee we spend next season in the Premier League', to, 'the players are not fit enough, we're not good in attack, we're not good in the middle, we're not good at the back, we need our injured players back to fitness'," claimed Sherwood.

"You've got to get on with what you've got. Forget all that nonsense. Concentrate on the players who are fit at the moment and try and give them a lift. You don't get that [new manager] bounce by having a stick and whacking them with it. Not if the downside looks like relegation.

"You have to give them a cuddle. You have to find the best solution. You have to give them an easy solution to how we're going to play. This is how we play."

Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic is enjoying an eye-catching season on loan with German side Hamburg but it appears that he is unlikely to return to North London

Luka Vuksovic’s Tottenham future will be decided in the summer, his agent has confirmed. The Croatian defender joined Hamburg last summer on loan and has enjoyed a brilliant campaign.

That has seen Vuskovic linked with a number of clubs including Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Amid those rumours, his agent has revealed that his future will be clarified in the summer.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Pini Zahavi said: "I can't comment on anything at this time. The player still belongs to Hamburg and is completely focused there.

"I can give an update in exactly two months, that is, after his loan ends and he officially returns to Tottenham."

Vuskovic himself has also spoken out on his future, having expressed a desire to one day play in La Liga. Speaking to Tribuna earlier this season, he said: "To be honest, it's not really the Premier League that I desired.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

"I didn't envisage playing in England. I've always only thought about the Croatian league and Hajduk, but among the European leagues, Spain was in a way the closest to my aspirations, and now the German league, which is a very big league. One day, I'd like to play in Spain, that's all."

Meanwhile, former Spurs star Ramon Vega recently slammed Spurs for the decision to send the young defender out on loan. He also claimed that Vuskovic would never make his debut for the North London side.

He shared on social media: “This player is not coming back to Spurs! Another of many players the Spurs had a chance with, but they made the wrong decision.

“This is an example of the problem Spurs have been having within the football department! A total neglect.

“They will make good money, for sure, but there’s no football direction within the club. Off to Bayern he goes, no wonder I will not blame him.”

Vuskovic, 19, has made 24 appearances for Hamburg so far this season and has scored five goals. His eye-catching performances come amid issues in North London.

Spurs are under real threat of dropping into the Championship following a woeful season. The North London side sit 16th in the table but just one point above the relegation zone after a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Tottenham Hotspur are winless in three matches under Igor Tudor and pressure is mounting on the manager as Spurs face a crucial run of fixtures

Just three matches into Igor Tudor's tenure, there is plenty for Tottenham Hotspur to worry about. Occasional moments of promise will matter little in the context of a return of zero points under the Croatian manager.

The latest defeat was perhaps the hardest to take, with Spurs imploding during the opening period against Crystal Palace. Micky van de Ven's dismissal paved the way for the Eagles to win 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Dutchman will be banned for his team's journey to Liverpool on March 15.

Tudor's charges face a tough Champions League last-16 clash against Atletico Madrid, with one leg each side of that Anfield encounter. March ends with an international break but the last game before that hiatus could prove most crucial, with fellow relegation contenders Nottingham Forest visiting north London.

Tudor's job is already under scrutiny and Spurs may need to act decisively one way or another. We've examined the major choices that need to be made, including the future of the former Juventus manager.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

OPINION

Should Tudor stay or go?

Tudor may not be the sole issue, but there's little evidence he possesses the capabilities to reverse the decline. Parting ways with the manager shouldn't prove particularly costly, at least compared to some other recent Premier League sackings, considering his deal expires at the season's end.

There may well be an appetite to appoint someone with ties to the club, given Manchester United's turnaround under former midfielder Michael Carrick. Ex-Spurs player and boss Glenn Hoddle has already suggested he'd welcome the opportunity, potentially alongside Robbie Keane, whilst Ryan Mason's recent difficulties at West Brom might not prevent him from stepping back into the technical area in more familiar surroundings.

Back three no more

Some key figures are beginning to make their way back for Spurs after a season disrupted by a lengthy injury list. Pedro Porro has featured in the past two fixtures after sitting out the preceding four, with Kevin Danso starting his first game in over a month on Thursday, while Destiny Udogie is nearing a comeback following the hamstring problem picked up at Manchester United that's sidelined him for a month.

The absence of Van de Ven through suspension, will be offset a little by the return of skipper Cristian Romero after a ban of his own. Personnel returning could pave the way for Spurs to revert to back four in the near future, though Tudor - if he stays - could be tempted to persist with three at the back despite recent struggles.

The new manager's tactics have involved deploying a midfielder or full-back in the heart of defence, with Joao Palhinha stepping into the role against Arsenal at the end of February. A tactical switch could be just what Spurs need to solidify in midfield as well as at the back.

Whether these alterations would instantly trigger the much-needed improvement is yet to be seen. However, it's clear that Spurs are in dire need of a change, and they need it to happen swiftly.

Igor Tudor has been unable to stop the rot at Tottenham Hotspur but the doomsday scenario of finishing in the bottom three is not quite the ultimate nightmare

There was one bit of good news for Tottenham Hotspur last week … there will be a couple of extra play-off places up for grabs in the Championship next season. It is a tough league but surely even Spurs can finish eighth in the Championship.

They are not yet consigned to that level, of course, and the bookmakers still narrowly favour West Ham United to fill the third relegation spot. But having seen a lot of both teams recently, that seems to be rare mis-step from the bookies.

Even in a 5-2 thumping at Anfield, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side looked a better team than the one that has lost three out of three under the hapless Igor Tudor. It was a bizarre appointment in the first place and there are not many fans/pundits/neutrals who think what was already a temporary Tudor era should last a moment longer.

And that is completely understandable. When ex-players and supporters were advocating a move for Harry Redknapp after the sacking of Thomas Frank, I thought the idea was laughable. Love Harry but he turned 79 the other day.

But having just spent a bit of time with Harry at the training yard where his horse, The Jukebox Man, is being prepared for its tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, I reckon he would have as good as chance as anyone of keeping Spurs in the Premier League. Because quite frankly, the team at any manager’s disposal - one, that it always has to be said, has been significantly weakened by rotten injury luck - does not look good enough to win Premier League games between now and the end of the season.

And this is a team that will certainly get found out in the last 16 of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid over the next week or so. But whoever takes charge of Spurs’ final nine games of the Premier League season - the first of those being at Anfield next Sunday - will have a heck of a job to do to keep them up.

But if Spurs are relegated, what happens? The club does not go out of business.

There are many cliches about teams in relegation battles. There is the ‘too good to go down’ one. And then there is one about relegation being the best thing that could happen.

Well, the latter is not quite the case for Spurs but it would not be the catastrophe that is being depicted by doom-mongers. Looking at the broader picture, supporters would see football that, this season, has arguably been more entertaining than the fare offered by the Premier League.

They would see more wins, more goals. Over the past two seasons, Spurs fans have seen their team win only eight of their 33 Premier League home games.

It would make a nice change to have a winning home season. There would be other spin-offs. You might get rid of a few of the plenty of players who fancy themselves a bit too much.

Oh, and no VAR. Imagine that pleasure. Half of this is, of course, flippancy. Relegation for a club of Tottenham’s stature cannot be a positive thing.

But it does not have to be apocalyptic either. And don’t forget, you only have to finish eighth next season to have a crack at getting back.

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has lifted the lid on what really happened when Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign him back in the final days of the winter transfer window

Andy Robertson says it was he who decided to snub interest from Tottenham in the winter transfer window to remain at Liverpool - and then hinted he is ready to sign a contract extension.

The veteran left-back, 31, emerged as a surprise target for Spurs in the final throes of January, presenting Robertson with the chance to bring the curtain down on his nine-year spell at Anfield. The Reds were happy to listen so what the Scotland captain wanted to do given the tremendous service he has given to the club since joining in 2017, before an injury to Joe Gomez complicated matters.

But it was ultimately Robertson who made the call to stay with Liverpool, something he confirmed after Friday night's 3-1 win over Wolves in the FA Cup.

And he hinted that is ready to extend his near-decade long stay on Merseyside despite the fact he is likely to have no shortage of suitors at the end of the season, when he would be available on a Bosman transfer.

"There was obviously interest there - there were discussions had with both sets of clubs," Robertson said. "But the decision was that I wanted to stay. We stayed at Liverpool and that was the decision made.

"I was never not committed. I've been committed to Liverpool for the last eight and a half or nine years now and I'll be committed until I'm no longer needed. That's always been my mindset. This club has given me everything and I've given this club everything.

"It's been a fantastic relationship so hopefully that continues and obviously January happened, but it is now gone. Now we move forward and like I said, my focus never came off trying to help the lads on the pitch and in training.

"Whatever was happening behind the scenes happened, and all I can say is that I kept focusing on football."

Summer signing Milos Kerkez has usurped Robertson in Arne Slot's team this season but the Scot produced an impressive performance to help Liverpool reach the FA Cup quarter-finals at Molineux, breaking the deadlock in fine fashion.

He stressed that while talks would remain private, fans would be the first to know once there is news on the contract front.

Robertson continued: "I've always said that [the talks] will stay between me and the club. I don't think it will get played out in public. It is not one of them. I have got an amazing relationship with Richard Hughes and with Mike Gordon and Michael Edwards.

"I've had a good relationship with these people and these people brought me to the football club. They have helped make me who I am, so in that respect, we've had a fantastic relationship. I think out of respect to them, and they have respected me, then the conversations will be in-house.

"When a decision is made, and we're getting to the point where I only have three months left on my contract, it will be announced to you guys."

Tottenham are currently in 16th place in the Premier League table and just one point above the relegation zone, with sections of Lincoln City fans aiming a chant at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur found themselves the subject of a chant from Lincoln City supporters, given their precarious position near the Premier League's relegation zone. Spurs currently sit in 16th place, just a single point clear of the bottom three.

Igor Tudor took over as Tottenham's interim manager last month on a contract that lasts until the end of the season, but has suffered defeats in all three of his games at the helm so far.

This poor run of form has fuelled rumours about Tudor's future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with rumours suggesting his tenure at Spurs may be in doubt.

With only nine Premier League fixtures remaining this season, Tottenham will return to top-tier action next weekend when they face off against reigning champions Liverpool.

Despite Tottenham having no fixture this weekend due to the FA Cup taking centre stage, there were still matches unfolding across the EFL, including in Cardiff, reports football.london.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

Saturday saw Lincoln City secure a 2-0 victory away at League One title contenders Cardiff City, propelling them above the Bluebirds to the summit of the third-tier table.

Lincoln now boast a 10-point lead in the automatic promotion spots, with a game in hand, and are widely tipped for promotion to the Championship next season.

Consequently, there's a chance that Lincoln and Tottenham could find themselves in the same league next season, should Spurs suffer relegation from the Premier League.

This prospect wasn't overlooked by some Lincoln supporters, who mocked Tottenham whilst celebrating their victory over Cardiff.

Footage surfaced on social media showing Lincoln's travelling fans inside Cardiff City Stadium after the home crowd had departed, launching into a chant aimed at Tottenham.

"Tottenham away, ole, ole," rang out from sections of Lincoln fans.

Tudor is anticipated to stay in the Tottenham dugout for Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 clash against Atletico Madrid, with the Spurs interim manager offering his assessment of the club's current predicament following the midweek loss to Crystal Palace.

"I don't want to speak about the club. I want to be positive," Tudor said on Thursday after the defeat to Palace.

"I cannot tell the guys nothing in the end after this game. They gave everything. Unfortunately, we pay every detail. We pay every detail.

"If we can say that red card is a detail, there is always something to say. With all the problems we have now, missing the defenders today, missing the full-backs, these are the problems we already know. I don't want to speak about that, but we need to stay together now.

"I always repeat the same things, but it is how it is. Believing and growing. Do not make mistakes. This is the key in the end of football. Stay there, don't make mistakes. One goal, you always score. Two goals, you can score, but it's important to not make mistakes in football.

"Unfortunately, now, in this moment, we pay everything, but in return, I believe, we change everything. Still nine games to play. Still nine games to play."