Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Luckster
At the heart of what has become a public crisis, Tottenham will turn their attention back to Champions League duties when they welcome Borussia Dortmund to north London on Tuesday night.
Tottenham
Starting with the hosts, suffering last-gasp heartbreak over the weekend as they fell to a 2-1 loss at home against historic rivals and relegation scrappers West Ham, the pressure on Thomas Frank’s shoulders has now reached a boiling point. With fans around the white half of north London making their frustrations abundantly clear, many Tottenham supporters are calling for an immediate change in the dugout. Watching their FA Cup adventure come to an end last week as they slumped to another 2-1 defeat at home against Aston Villa, the former Brentford boss is at the heart of a public nightmare. Along with losing each of their previous three consecutive domestic appearances by an aggregate score of 7-4, Spurs have also remarkably claimed just a pair of Premier League victories since the end of October. Likewise, Frank’s side are also winless in their last four showdowns in north London across all competitions (three defeats, one draw).
Tottenham Team News
Yet to make a single appearance this season, England international James Maddison remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. Stretchered off against West Ham on Saturday afternoon with what appeared to be his own respective knee issue, veteran defender Ben Davies will not play any part here.
However, making a brief cameo appearance over the weekend and returning from an extended ankle injury, former Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke should get some more minutes under his belt. Likewise, recently returning from AFCON duties with Mali, ex-Brighton star Yves Bissouma could be handed a full recall.
Borussia Dortmund
As for the visitors, sat firmly in the driving seat to claim yet another silver medal finish among Germany’s elite this season, Borussia Dortmund should be excited by a trip to north London here. Last seen over the weekend claiming a thrilling 3-2 victory at home against St. Pauli, Niko Kovac’s men have continued to shine on either side of opening the New Year. Despite suffering Champions League frustration on December 10th as they were forced to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt, the former Monaco boss has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to November 5th. However, BVB do hold a nightmare European record against Tuesday’s hosts. In fact, they have lost each of their last four straight Champions League showdowns against spies by an aggregate score of 9-2.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Missing out against St. Pauli over the weekend with a reported calf issue, Borussia Dortmund are once again sweeting over the fitness of skipper Marcel Sabitzer here. Dealing with a recent thigh injury, Kavac will be unable to call upon Chelsea loanee Aaron Anselmino on Tuesday night.
Bagging a first Bundesliga strike since the end of November during Saturday’s 3-2 victory, German international Karim Adeyemi will be hoping to keep his spot from the start. Left as an unused substitute over the weekend, former Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule could be handed a full recall in north London.
Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund Key Factors to Consider
- Tottenham have won all of their previous four Champions League showdowns against Borussia Dortmund by an aggregate score of 9-2.
- However, Spurs have remarkably won just four of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions.
- Tottenham are winless in their last four matchups in north London (three defeats, one draw).
- Borussia Dortmund have lost just a single defeat from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to November 5th.
- Eight of Dortmund’s last nine away fixtures across all competitions have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Suffering more last-gasp heartbreak over the weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 loss at home against historic rivals West Ham, Tottenham are certainly a club in crisis. With the pressure on Frank’s shoulders now at a boiling point, Spurs have continued to show a string of glaring defensive issues. Despite holding a remarkable European victory against Borussia Dortmund, the German giants will be relishing a trip to north London here. It should be noted, with BVB seeing eight of their last away fixtures across all competitions have finished with both teams finding the net, we are expecting an enjoyable Champions League battle in midweek.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Luckster
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