Our crucial UEFA Champions League league-phase fixture is happening today, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM GMT (3:00 PM ET).
This is a high-stakes clash: both teams are level on 11 points, with Dortmund sitting 10th and Spurs 11th in the 36-team league table (Dortmund ahead on goals scored). A win could push the victor toward direct knockout qualification, while the other risks settling for the playoff spots.
Tottenham is in a rough patch domestically -sitting 14th in the Premier League with poor recent form (e.g., a 2-1 home loss to West Ham at the weekend, and just two wins in their last eight across competitions).
Pressure is mounting on Frank, with reports suggesting this could be a pivotal game for his future. However, Spurs have been strong in Europe at home: unbeaten in their last 23 European home matches (including qualifiers), with three wins and eight goals scored (zero conceded) in this season’s Champions League home games.
Borussia Dortmund (under Niko Kovač) are in solid shape—second in the Bundesliga, unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions, and scoring consistently (at least two goals in six of their last seven). They’ve scored in all 14 away games this season and remain confident after a 3-2 win over St. Pauli.
Key absences/injuries aren’t heavily detailed across sources, but Tottenham may miss some defensive pace (e.g., references to no Micky van de Ven for through balls), while Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer is sidelined.
Plausible line-ups
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso/others, Spence; Gray, Palhinha/Bergvall; Odobert, Simons, Tel; Kolo Muani/Muani or Solanke.
Dortmund (3-4-2-1 or similar): Kobel; Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Nmecha/Bellingham, others; Brandt, Adeyemi/Beier; Guirassy.
Head-to-Head and Stats
Tottenham has dominated recent meetings—winning the last four against Dortmund across all competitions (including a 3-0 home win in 2018/19 UCL). Over 2.5 goals have landed in the last four home H2H matches.
Dortmund has struggled historically in England (lost 10 of 14 UCL away games there, including seven of the last eight).
Predictions and OddsOpta supercomputer: Tottenham 39.2% win chance, Dortmund 34.9%, draw 25.9%—a very close call.
Common predictions: Many tip a narrow Dortmund win (e.g., 1-2) due to Spurs’ current struggles, poor form, and squad issues, despite home advantage. Others see goals (both teams have attacking threats like Guirassy/Brandt for Dortmund and Simons/Tel for Spurs).
Betting odds: Tottenham 17/10, Dortmund 29/20, draw 27/10.
Over 2.5 goals is popular given both sides’ scoring trends.