Champions League football returns to N17 on Tuesday night, as Thomas Frank's showtime Lilywhites welcome Villarreal to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Frank is set to enter uncharted territory in Europe this term, with the Dane taking charge of his first game in this competition against a side that Spurs have, perhaps surprisingly, never faced in their history.
It's been a feel-good start to the manager's tenure, and defeating West Ham at the weekend ensured the bright vibes remained ahead of our league phase opener in midweek.
Our opponents had also enjoyed a productive start to their domestic campaign in Spain before they were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Marcelino's side qualified for this competition by virtue of a fifth-place finish in La Liga last term, and several familiar faces will be returning to north London on Tuesday night.
The Yellow Submarine were semi-finalists in 2021/22, having won the 2021 Europa League final.
Here's our preview of Tuesday's Champions League clash.
Tottenham vs Villarreal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups
What time does Tottenham vs Villarreal kick off?
Tottenham vs Villarreal kicks off on Tuesday 16 September at 20:00 BST.
When is kick off? Tuesday 16 September, 2025
What time is kick off? 20:00 BST
Where is it played? Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Referee:Â Rade ObrenoviÄ
Tottenham vs Villarreal head-to-head record
This is the first competitive fixture between Tottenham and Villarreal.
How to watch Tottenham vs Villarreal on TV & live stream
Tottenham team news
There hasn't been too much to report on the injury front heading into our first league phase game, although Frank has confirmed that Dominic Solanke will once again miss out.
Mathys Tel didn't make the squad, so Richarlison should come back in to lead Spurs' lead. The manager has said Randal Kolo Muani is "ready" to make his debut, after he failed to come off the bench in Saturday's victory at West Ham.
Pape Matar Sarr could earn some respite in midfield, with Xavi Simons potentially moving inside. Room could open up for Wilson Odobert or Brennan Johnson to make Frank's XI.
James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are long-term absentees, while Kota Takai and Radu DrÄguÈin remain sidelined.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Villarreal: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bergvall; Kudus, Simons, Odobert; Richarlison.
Villarreal team news
Former Tottenham defender Juan Foyth could don the armband for the visitors on Tuesday night, having established himself Castellón since his north London departure.
Foyth could be joined by ex-Cheslea man Renato Veiga at centre-back, while Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pépé are also on Villarreal's books. Pépé was named La Liga's August Player of the Month, and could start in Marcelino's frontline here.
Villarreal are without Gerard Moreno and Willy Kambwala due to hamstring injuries, while Logan Costa and Pau Cabanes are also sidelined.
Villarreal predicted lineup vs Tottenham: Júnior, Mouriño, Foyth, MarÃn, Cardona, Buchanan, Comesaña, Gueye, Moleiro, Pépé, Mikautadze.
Tottenham vs Villarreal score prediction
Spurs have been given a kind league phase draw, but this won't be a simple outing for the hosts.
While Villarreal were beaten at the weekend, they're a canny and experience outfit that should do well in this competition. Marcelino is an excellent coach, and the tactical battle on the sidelines will be intriguing. I suspect the visitors will be content ceding territory to Frank's side, and the hosts are not yet a fluent force in possession.
Thus, I can envisage Spurs suffering their way through Tuesday's bout, with set-pieces likely to play a key role again. After a bright debut, Xavi Simons should quickly come to the fore, too.