Tottenham are set to receive help from the Premier League in their bid for Champions League glory, with their match against Bournemouth brought forward to allow more preparation time before the semi-final second leg.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino pleaded with the Premier League on Thursday to give his side the same time as Ajax ahead of both semi-final legs.
That will not be the case but the Premier League intend to move Tottenham's match against Bournemouth, due to be played on Monday May 6, two days before the second leg in Amsterdam. Spurs now expect that match to be on Saturday May 4.
Ajax were due to play De Graafschap on Sunday week, two days before the first leg on April 30. Instead, the Dutch league delayed the full schedule for that weekend until May 15.
Tottenham will still face West Ham at lunchtime a week on Saturday, while Ajax have a free weekend to prepare.
Pochettino said: 'We are talking but we're not expecting much because it is so difficult.
'For the semi-final, we need to make sure both teams have the same days to prepare for the game if we want to be fair. Both teams deserve the same preparation.'
Pochettino also warned his players not to take their eye off the ball in the race for top-four places.
Only three points separate Manchester United in sixth from Tottenham in third and the north Londoners travel to title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday.
Pochettino said: 'City are going to fight for a massive thing which is to win the league and the principal challenge is to win the Premier League, for them.
'For us, we need to think that we must be in the top four next season and that is our challenge.
'We need to be sure that we are going to be ready to fight them and challenge them, and it will be tough.'
rajatbob10
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So Liverpool play Newcastle on 5 May and Barcelona on 7 May do they not get any help?
they'll also play on Saturday.... it's done
ponderous
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Fair play. Lets make it a great match. May the best win it. Success Spurs fans. We at Ajax respect your club a lot.
Peace and love Dutchman, peace and love now pass that doobie over bro.
yeah00
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Havent done if for Chelsea, United, Liverpool etc in the past...why now?
Can you give us an example of any of the mentioned clubs playing a domestic game 48 hours before a Champions League semi-final? Thought not.
promis
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This is good, but it ought to be done for all teams representing england in europe
This could be the start of that ?
Donahue
0
Are they doing the same for Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal in the Europa ?
Gooner999 - so not the same. Thanks for clearing that up.
Abbyabbie
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Can we loan Bale and Modric back just for a few games please ?
Kolagay
0
So Liverpool play Newcastle on 5 May and Barcelona on 7 May do they not get any help?
siccdream
1
Ajax at near full strength whilst we are crippled with injuries and suspensions never mind we have been underdogs up to now and fought through it,COYS
Lidroid
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Hmm...am I the only one who think that the FA more favor to spurs than other English team that participate in the European competition ?..even the spurs were allowed to changed their home venue twice in a season ...hmm..
usability
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It is scheduled to be on tv so the only time it will be able to be played is Saturday evening at 7:45. They should play it on the Wednesday or Thursday before but we all know the FA won't be so kind.
loown
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When teams advance in any competition, it can cause domestic league fixtures to be rescheduled. Thats the case here. The FA isnt so much helping Spurs as they are rescheduling the Bournemouth match so it isnt the Monday before a Wednesday match. Its not necessary to play Bournemouth on Monday when both teams can play on Saturday.
unisance
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Neds are moving entire round for all teams and you are pounding ur chest for moving a game from Monday to Saturday. Typical weak politically correct FA.
Stephnine
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Ajax will play spurs off the park as spurs can't cope with the pressure of being favourites. They have a history of folding!
birdnana
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Didn't see him complaining when Spurs had 24 hours longer to prepare for this week's quarter final.
Lingaluards
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Thought the rules were bent enough for them with the stadium......And the FA have never helped anyone else....
Allen2034
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If you do this just once, you will have to do it everytime and for everyone.
corruption
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Fair play. Lets make it a great match. May the best win it. Success Spurs fans. We at Ajax respect your club a lot.
ourselves
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Have people read the headline and not the story? The game was due to be played on Monday for TV with us playing Ajax on Wednesday. Clearly the game would be moved. You¿re not going to play Monday/Wednesday. If Chelsea are playing on Saturday after their Europa League semi-final for example, this will be moved to Sunday. What is wrong with people. This is not the PL helping Spurs, it is basic fixture changes with the Mail trying to bait jealous fans... who bite as usual.
Halifax
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So why was City's FA cup semi not re-scheduled before the first leg when spurs got the whole week off ?? Diff rules for diff teams ??
blackhappy
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Liverpool play Newcastle 48 hours before the 2nd leg against Barcelona. That game surely should be moved as well.
Josephmoreno
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Havent done if for Chelsea, United, Liverpool etc in the past...why now?
cookie111
0
This is good, but it ought to be done for all teams representing england in europe
Biainkobe
0
Are they doing the same for Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal in the Europa ?
rrafiq
1
doesnt matter.. still messi will win it
RAKSMEY007
0
you can't win today
AdityaChaudhary10
0
Operation "End-Messi's-6th-Ballon-D'or-Dreams" Let's Go Poch !!
only Liverpool's game matters not Tottenham
Spartacus_Aye419
2
Operation "End-Messi's-6th-Ballon-D'or-Dreams" Let's Go Poch !!