Sports Mole

Two for two in Champions League home matches so far this season, Tottenham Hotspur welcome Slavia Prague to North London on matchday six of the 2025-26 league phase.

The Lilywhites have taken down Villarreal and Copenhagen without conceding at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season, but their last European away day ended in a 5-3 beating at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Spurs' two wins at home is still two more than Slavia have picked up all season in the Champions League; the Czech side lie 31st in the 36-team rankings with just three points on the board.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 4

Tottenham Hotspur wins: 3

Draws: 1

Slavia Prague wins: 0

Meeting for the first time in the Champions League during the 2025-26 campaign, Tottenham and Slavia previously did battle on four occasions during the days of the old UEFA Cup.

All four clashes were tightly-fought contests, but Spurs nevertheless came up trumps in three of them while playing out one draw, meaning that they are unbeaten against their Czech foes in competitive action.

The two clubs' inaugural meetings came in the first round of the 2006-07 UEFA Cup, in which Martin Jol masterminded a pair of 1-0 victories for the current Europa League champions in the first round.

Spurs firstly prevailed at the Fortuna Arena thanks to a Jermaine Jenas goal, before completing the job at White Hart Lane courtesy of a Robbie Keane effort; the Lilywhites were eventually eliminated by Sevilla in the quarter-finals.

Nearly a year and half later, Spurs and Slavia Prague reunited in the knockout rounds of the 2007-08 UEFA Cup, meeting in the last 32 after the Czech team dropped down from the Champions League.

Spurs played away from home in the first leg again, and Keane repeated his 2006 feat at the Fortuna Arena, adding to a Dimitar Berbatov goal before David Strihavka's consolation in a 2-1 Tottenham victory.

Seven days later, the Lilywhites finished the job at home with a 1-1 draw; Jamie O'Hara broke the deadlock before Matej Krajcik's leveller, which was in vain as Spurs clinched a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Across all meetings with Czech teams in Europe, Tottenham are now unbeaten in seven - winning five of them - and the North London giants' only such loss came against Dulka Praha in the 1961-62 European Cup.

Last four meetings

Feb 21, 2008: Tottenham 1-1 Slavia Prague (UEFA Cup)

Feb 14, 2008: Slavia Prague 1-2 Tottenham (UEFA Cup)

Sep 28, 2006: Tottenham 1-0 Slavia Prague (UEFA Cup)

Sep 14, 2006: Slavia Prague 0-1 Tottenham (UEFA Cup)

Read more on Tottenham Hotspur vs Slavia Prague

Three Tottenham Hotspur players will be walking a disciplinary tightrope in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Slavia Prague in North London.

The Lilywhites suffered a 5-3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on matchday five of the league phase but will now be boosted by the return of Brennan Johnson, who served a European ban in that fixture.

However, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani are all on two yellow cards, and a booking here for any of them would rule them out of the clash with Borussia Dortmund on matchday seven.

Thomas Frank is unlikely to consider such hypotheticals when selecting his first XI, though, and if there is any defender in line for a rest this week, it is Van de Ven's partner Cristian Romero.

Kevin Danso may very well join forces with Van de Ven in front of Guglielmo Vicario, while Djed Spence should continue at left-back as a result of Destiny Udogie's recent muscular injury.

Frank can - and should - make changes further forwards, though, potentially introducing both Joao Palhinha and Lucas Bergvall into the engine room, as well as offering starts to Johnson and Wilson Odobert out wide.

Xavi Simons ought to continue after his starring role in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win over Brentford, though, likely with Richarlison leading the line as Dominic Solanke continues his recovery from an ankle concern.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bergvall; Johnson, Simons, Odobert; Richarlison

Belatedly back to winning ways on home soil, Tottenham Hotspur seek successive victories in all competitions when Slavia Prague pay a visit to North London for Tuesday's Champions League league-phase clash.

The Lilywhites ran out 2-0 victors against Brentford in Saturday's Premier League London derby and now come up against Czech foes who are still waiting for their first UCL win of the campaign.

Match preview

Continuing their commitment to frenetic matches against Paris Saint-Germain - after a four-goal thriller and penalty-shootout defeat in this summer's UEFA Super Cup - Tottenham came out on the wrong end of an eight-goal extravaganza with the reigning European champions on matchday five.

Thomas Frank's men travelled across the Channel on the back of their atrocious North London derby loss to Arsenal, but while they kicked their attacking endeavour up a notch in Paris, their defensive deficiencies cost them dear in a 5-3 beating.

Spurs' reverse at the Parc des Princes marked the end of their unbeaten start to this year's Champions League, but a respectable total of eight points has the hosts still inside the seeded playoff places in 16th, and just two points off the automatic last-16 places.

Also unblemished at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the 2025-26 UCL - beating Villarreal and Copenhagen without conceding - Spurs are on a magnificent 22-game unbeaten run in home European matches, and the Lilywhites are also just one goal away from hitting 100 in the Champions League.

Frank previously could not buy a Premier League victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Saturday's success over London derby rivals Brentford brought the feel-good factor back to North London, as the Lilywhites snapped a five-game winless sequence across all tournaments.

Already succumbing to the superiority of one North London club this season - being condemned to a 3-0 home loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal - upcoming visitors Slavia Prague are trudging towards an early Champions League elimination.

The long-serving Jindrich Trpisovsky is yet to lead his players to a league-phase win, overseeing three draws and two defeats to collect a paltry three points, which have left the Czech giants outside of the playoff places in 31st spot.

Slavia Prague held Atalanta BC and Athletic Bilbao to respectable 0-0 draws either side of their Arsenal pummelling, but it has now been a little over 18 years since they won a top-level European match - a 2-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest in September 2007.

Since then, Slavia have tried and failed 16 times to succeed in the Champions League, where they have also failed to score in each of their last four matches, so the time is nigh for the visitors to translate domestic dominance into European points.

Trpisovsky's men are on a five-game winning streak in the Czech top flight after edging out Teplice 2-1 on Friday - thus maintaining a five-point lead over Sparta Prague at the top of the table - but meetings with Tottenham do not trigger fond memories.

Slavia Prague and Tottenham previously squared off in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 UEFA Cup campaigns - meeting in the first round of the former and the last 32 of the latter - and the Lilywhites came through those four fixtures with three wins and one draw under their belts.

Tottenham Hotspur Champions League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Slavia Prague Champions League form:

Slavia Prague form (all competitions):

Team News

Spurs left-back Destiny Udogie was an unexpected omission from the team sheet for the visit of Brentford, and Frank revealed afterwards that the Italy international had sustained a soft tissue problem, albeit a minor one.

Nevertheless, Udogie will likely be spared for the visit of Slavia Prague, which James Maddison (ACL), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Kota Takai (thigh), Dominic Solanke (ankle), Radu Dragusin (knee) and ankle victim Yves Bissouma - who is also being investigated for an alleged laughing gas video - will also miss.

Brennan Johnson is at least eligible again following a European ban, but Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani will miss the matchday seven meeting with Borussia Dortmund if they are booked on Tuesday.

On Slavia Prague's end, the visitors were recently boosted by the return of Slovakian winger Ivan Schranz - scorer of a memorable goal against England at Euro 2024 - from an unspecified injury.

However, Liberian midfielder Oscar (muscle), Filip Horsky (ACL), Petr Sevcik (ACL) and Dominik Javorcek (knee) are on the sidelines, while key attacker Tomas Chory is doubtful due to illness.

Ex-Luton Town defender Daiki Hashioka will likely be on the bench for the visitors, whose line will be led by Mojmir Chytil, scorer of back-to-back braces in his last two league games.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bergvall; Johnson, Simons, Odobert; Richarlison

Slavia Prague possible starting lineup:

Stanek; Zima, Holes, Chaloupek; Doudera, Sadilek, Zafeiris, Boril; Schranz, Chytil, Provod

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Slavia Prague

Shutting out Atalanta and Athletic is no mean feat in the Champions League, but Slavia's resistance will surely prove futile in North London.

Spurs have often played with the handbrake off in this season's competition, and Frank should oversee a straightforward success, one that will reignite Tottenham's top-eight charge.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma 'faces the axe' after a video of him allegedly inhaling laughing gas was leaked online.

The Mali international is yet to make an appearance for Thomas Frank's side this season, owing to a combination of disciplinary and injury issues.

Bissouma was omitted from the Spurs squad for their UEFA Super Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain over the summer, with Frank citing persistent lateness as the reason for his absence.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man has been in the treatment room mostly ever since, and he is currently on the road back from a serious ankle injury sustained during the October international break.

It is not clear when Bissouma may return from his recent operation, but there is a chance that the 29-year-old has already made his final appearance in a Lilywhites kit.

Yves Bissouma 'faces Spurs axe' as laughing gas video emerges

Footage obtained by The Sun appears to show the Mali international inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon, which was reportedly filmed in the early hours of November 3.

The report adds that Tottenham have already launched an investigation into the video, and Bissouma could 'face the axe' after already being filmed inhaling 'hippy crack' last year.

The midfielder apologised for a "severe lack of judgement" following his first offence in August 2024, claiming that he took his "responsibility as a footballer and role model very seriously".

The use of laughing gas is illegal in the United Kingdom and is punishable by up to two years in prison - which increases to 14 years for dealers - although Spurs are expected to deal with the incident as an internal matter.

Bissouma has scored two goals in 100 appearances for Tottenham since joining from Brighton in the summer of 2022, but he is about to enter the final six months of his contract in North London.

Has Yves Bissouma played his final game for Tottenham?

Under normal circumstances, Bissouma would soon be jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations with the Mali squad, but the midfielder is expected to sit out the international tournament as a result of his ankle injury.

Frank has not yet placed a timeline on the 29-year-old's return, but he was already in the manager's bad books over the summer, and this recent incident - if proven - may be the final straw.

Tottenham could choose to sell Bissouma for a cut-price fee in the January window - a switch to Serie A was mooted over the summer - although his misdemeanours may lead to reduced interest in his services.

Alternatively, Spurs could freeze the Mali international out of the squad for the next six months before he leaves on a free transfer, or terminate his deal - either mutually or on their own terms if he was found to have been in breach of his contract.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has provided an injury update on Destiny Udogie following his side's 2-0 victory over former club Brentford on Saturday.

The Italian full-back was absent from the matchday squad, having sustained a problem in the previous outing against Newcastle United.

Despite missing the clash against the Bees, Frank offered a favourable prognosis regarding his return.

The manager's remarks came after a comfortable afternoon in North London, where Xavi Simons stole the show.

Destiny Udogie injury: Frank provides positive news

Frank revealed that the defender had suffered a soft tissue injury during the midweek game against Newcastle.

When asked if the issue would keep the left-back out for an extended period, the Spurs boss was optimistic.

"He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle," said Frank via football.london. "Not too long, not too long, yeah."

The club will hope to have Udogie back available for the busy festive schedule, as they aim to rise in the Premier League table after a challenging start to year one under their new manager.

Can Spurs build on Brentford victory?

Beating the Bees marked the Lilywhites' second victory on home soil and a first since overcoming Burnley on the opening weekend of the season, highlighting their struggles to claim points on their turf.

Their latest victory pushed them to ninth on 22 points ahead of Sunday's games, three behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

If they fix their results at home, Frank's team undeniably give themselves a fighting chance of finishing in the European spots.

Having finally got that winning feeling back at home, Tottenham Hotspur aim to prolong the feel-good factor in their Champions League battle with Slavia Prague.

The Lilywhites sit 16th in the 36-team league phase table eight points on the board, 15 places and five points better off than their winless visitors.

Here, Sports Mole provides everything you need to know about how to tune into the game.

What time does Spurs vs. Slavia Prague kick off?

Tottenham vs. Slavia Prague will kick off at 8pm UK time on Tuesday, December 9.

Meanwhile, the contest will begin at 9pm for fans in the Czech Republic.

Where is Spurs vs. Slavia Prague being played?

The Champions League showdown is being contested at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking Slavia Prague's first visit to the ground.

Spurs previously hosted the Czech team twice at White Hart Lane in the UEFA Cup, winning 1-0 in 2006 and drawing 1-1 in 2008.

How to watch Spurs vs. Slavia Prague in the UK

TV channels

Tottenham vs. Slavia Prague has been selected for coverage on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate.

TNT Sports 1 is channel number 408 on BT/EE TV, 527 on Virgin Media and 410 on Sky.

Online streaming

Fans can also watch the game online via discovery+, the official streaming platform for TNT Sports.

A discovery+ sports subscription will set you back by £30.99 per month.

Highlights

The TNT Sports website will show highlights of the game, and the best bits will also be uploaded to the TNT Sports and Tottenham YouTube channels.

The broadcaster will also post goals, red cards and other key moments as and when they happen on their X account (@FootballonTNT).

What is at stake for Spurs and Slavia Prague?

Victory for the reigning Europa League champions will take them into the double figures for the 2025-26 Champions League, all but guaranteeing that they will make the playoffs at the very worst.

Thomas Frank's men have won both of their Champions League home games this term - against Villarreal and Copenhagen - so their 100% record in front of their own fans is also on the line.

Meanwhile, Slavia Prague - who have already been swept aside by Spurs' bitter rivals Arsenal this term - will be all but eliminated if they cannot claim all three points in the English capital, having failed to win any of their opening five league-phase contests.

Xavi Simons stole the spotlight as Tottenham Hotspur ended a miserable five-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Brentford in Saturday's Premier League London derby.

At risk of suffering an 11th Premier League home loss in 2025 - which would have set a new unwanted club record - Spurs defied their recent travails at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during a relief-inducing first half.

Richarlison's close-range opener and a wonderful solo goal from Simons propelled the hosts into a 2-0 lead before half time, and the visitors showed little sign of a fightback in the second 45.

Spurs have now risen up to eighth in the Premier League table, only three points shy of Chelsea in fourth, whereas Brentford lie 14th, seven points clear of the drop zone.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Two separate scripts were written for today's game - one for Thomas Frank getting Tottenham back on track against his old club, and the other for Brentford plunging their former manager's future into further uncertainty.

Thankfully for the hitherto disgruntled home crowd, the hosts were reading from the former sheet on Saturday, when they consigned their recent home woes to the back of their minds.

Lilywhites fans had been crying out for Frank to restore Simons to the starting lineup, and the Dutchman proved quite the point to his manager with a man-of-the-match performance, albeit against an admittedly atrocious Brentford team.

Keith Andrews's men did not roll over and accept defeat at Arsenal, but Igor Thiago and Mikkel Damsgaard were mere passengers in North London, and the Bees may now begin to look nervously over their shoulders.

TOTTENHAM VS. BRENTFORD HIGHLIGHTS

How big a goal could that prove to be!

Xavi Simons sprints to meet a long ball over the top on the right wing and squares for Richarlison, who has the simple job of tapping home from close range.

Better late than never!

A heavy touch from Simons allows Brentford to win possession back, but the Dutchman shows great tenacity to regain the ball for Spurs just inside their own half.

Simons then goes on the rampage, charging at an exposed Bees backline and advancing into the area before sliding the ball into the far corner.

What a way to score your first Premier League goal!

MAN OF THE MATCH - XAVI SIMONS

A performance that must surely be the catalyst for better things to come, Simons delivered a crisp assist for Richarlison, before opening his Premier League account in style with a wonderful solo goal.

Also a constant menace when he was not scoring or assisting, Simons won three free kicks and made seven recoveries in the derby, but a mention to Caoimhin Kelleher as well for his tireless efforts in goal.

TOTTENHAM VS. BRENTFORD MATCH STATS

Possession: Tottenham 53%-47% Brentford

Shots: Tottenham 15-4 Brentford

Shots on target: Tottenham 7-1 Brentford

Corners: Tottenham 7-6 Brentford

Fouls: Tottenham 8-9 Brentford

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Next on the agenda for Tottenham is the Champions League visit of Slavia Prague on Tuesday, before a Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest next Sunday.

Meanwhile, Brentford return home to tackle Leeds United next Sunday afternoon, three days before an EFL Cup quarter-final with Manchester City at the Etihad.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to keep Guglielmo Vicario at the club past the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper has endured a difficult run of form since returning from the November international break, conceding 11 goals across four matches for Spurs.

Two of those strikes arrived earlier in the week, when Thomas Frank's side played out a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Despite his recent failures, Vicario can boast a Europa League winners medal after achieving European success under Ange Postecoglou last term.

Since making the summer switch in 2023 from Serie A outfit Empoli, the Italian has donned the gloves on 94 occasions for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham make Vicario decision ahead of January window?

According to Football Insider, Tottenham have made a decision regarding their transfer stance on out-of-form goalkeeper Vicario.

The report claims that the Lilywhites are extremely unlikely to part ways with the 29-year-old during the winter trading point.

It is believed that losing their first-choice shot-stopper at the midway point through the campaign would be destructive to the team's success.

However, Spurs could supposedly move for a new top 'keeper over the course of the summer window if the Italian's form does not improve.

As a result, there are no doubts that Vicario will be in net for Spurs' Premier League clash with Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

Catalogue of Vicario errors

After coming under scrutiny at some points last season whilst under Postecoglou's watch, Vicario has definitely stood out for the wrong reasons in recent times.

The 29-year-old was unconvincing during Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Manchester United in North London in early November.

However, it was the clash with Fulham on November 29 which brought about a horror moment for Vicario, who rushed out of his goal to collect a ball, only for Harry Wilson to strike into an unguarded net.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Manchester City's James Trafford and Brighton & Hove Albion's Bart Verbruggen as potential options to replace Guglielmo Vicario in 2026.

Vicario has made 94 appearances since joining the north London club from Empoli in the summer of 2023.

The Italy international may be regarded as Tottenham's current number one, but has seen his position come under scrutiny following some high-profile errors.

Vicario was at fault for Fulham's second goal in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat, coming out of his area with the ball only to give it straight away to the opposition with a poor clearance.

The 29-year-old was then booed by some Tottenham supporters when he next received the ball as a sign of their discontent.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank defended his goalkeeper after the game, insisting that booing during the game was "unacceptable".

Spurs identify two potential Vicario replacements

Vicario subsequently retained his spot for Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle, but there are still questions surrounding his long-term future with the club.

According to TEAMtalk, Spurs are considering Man City's Trafford and Brighton's Verbruggen as possible options to replace Vicario.

The report also claims that rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan are both showing an interest in Vicario if Spurs decide to sell their current first-choice goalkeeper in 2026.

Tottenham are said to view Trafford as a 'serious option', with the English shot-stopper open to leaving Man City despite only returning to the club in the summer.

Trafford has struggled for game time following Gianluigi Donnarumma's arrival on deadline day, and is now looking to gain regular playing time elsewhere in a bid to clinch a spot in England's World Cup squad.

Tottenham facing Bayern competition

Tottenham have also been 'hugely impressed' by Verbruggen and are now making checks on him as they weigh up whether to step up their interest.

Spurs are facing competition from overseas, though, with German giants Bayern Munich said to be in the race for the Netherlands international.

The Bavarians have identified Verbuggen as a viable candidate to replace their veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Meanwhile, Brighton are expected to demand a significant fee for a player who is under contract until the summer of 2028.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank may make just the one change to his starting XI for Saturday's Premier League showdown with old club Brentford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Lilywhites returned south on the back of a frenzied 2-2 draw with Newcastle United in midweek, where two-goal defender Cristian Romero was the saviour for the Europa League champions.

The Argentina international partnered Kevin Danso in defence as Micky van de Ven enjoyed a rare rest, and the Austria international earned his keep alongside Romero, making a notable goal-line clearance from Nick Woltemade.

However, such is Van de Ven's importance to the Spurs XI that the Dutchman will surely be restored on Saturday, although that may be the limit of Frank's changes.

Tottenham take on Slavia Prague in the Champions League at home next Tuesday, and it would not be a surprise to see the Spurs boss save his alterations for that fixture.

As a result, Xavi Simons may have to settle for a place on the bench again, while Brennan Johnson can feel optimistic of another start out wide.

Dominic Solanke (ankle), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Yves Bissouma (ankle), Radu Dragusin (fitness) and James Maddison (ACL) are still missing, but Kota Takai (thigh) has played in behind-closed-doors friendlies and might finally make a matchday squad.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur; Kudus, Bergvall, Johnson; Kolo Muani