Tottenham open their Champions League campaign on Tuesday night when Villarreal travel to N17.
The Lilywhites are competing at the top table of European football for the first time since the 2022/23 campaign, and will be desperate to give a good account of themselves.
Tottenham’s Europa League victory back in May earned them the right to compete among the continent’s best clubs once again, and it will be the first time that they have had a taste of the new league phase format.
Villarreal are their first opponents in this year’s edition of the competition, and the La Liga outfit will be hoping to spring an upset on Thomas Frank’s men on Tuesday night.
Form Guide
Tottenham: W, L, W, W, L
Villarreal: L, D, W, W, L
Team News
Mathys Tel has been left out of the Tottenham squad for the Champions League, meaning Frank will be forced into a change at the top of the pitch.
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Randal Kolo Muani could come in for his debut, while the boss could also turn to Richarlison to lead the line once again.
Rodrigo Bentancur is likely to come back into the midfield, where long-term absentees James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remain a long way from a return to action.
Dominic Solanke remains a doubt for the clash, while Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin and Kota Takai are all absent from the Champions League squad.
For the visitors, Spain international Gerard Moreno is facing a race against the clock to be fit enough to feature, and that could see Nicolas Pepe start up front if the veteran isn’t deemed as being ready to take part.
At the other end of the pitch, Juan Foyth is likely to line up against Spurs after spending three years with them earlier in his career.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Sarr, Palhinha, Bentancur, Kudus, Kolo Muani, Simons
Villarreal: Luiz Junior, Mourino, Foyth, Veiga, Cardona, Buchanan, Partey, Parejo, Moleiro, Pepe, Mikautadze
Prediction: Tottenham 3-1 Villarreal
Tottenham will be eyeing a respectable Champions League showing this season after a bright start under Frank domestically, and they should have little issue with their opening fixture.
Villarreal finished fifth in La Liga last term, and are coming into the game on the back of a defeat and a draw against Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo respectively.
They undoubtedly have players who are capable of hurting Tottenham, and they won’t make it a straightforward evening; however, the hosts will surely have too much for them.
With that in mind, Tottenham News is predicting a comfortable 3-1 victory for Frank’s side.