Tottenham will look to at least keep their decent run in Champions League going.
Tottenham Hotspur will turn their focus to the Champions League this midweek, as Tuesday night may represent their final chance to salvage something from a season that is rapidly going into a downward spiral.
After a difficult domestic run of form, the Lilywhites host Borussia Dortmund under a cloud of tension. This game comes with a lot of uncertainty around Hotspur Way and with growing anger among the supporters as Thomas Frank’s future at N17 hangs by a thread after the Lilywhites suffered that 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to a struggling West Ham United.
The defeat to West Ham will make it three in a row for the North Londoners. This also means that it would be five games that the Lilywhites went without a win in all competitions. Going back to Saturday, the atmosphere inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was quite toxic. By the looks of it, that sense of patience within the boardroom and in the stands appears to be gone.
And with the English top-tier campaign already a problem, the Champions League has suddenly become either a lifeline or the final straw for the Dane head coach at the helm.
Tottenham as well as Dortmund are having almost a mirror of a season in UCL
Tottenham and Dortmund come into this game with almost identical positions in the Champions League league phase.
The Lilywhites are placed 11th in the UCL ladder, with their counterparts for this midweek in Dortmund being placed one place above them in 10th. Both the clubs are identical in number of points, wins, draws, defeats and even goal difference. The German giants only pip the north Londoners because they scored more goals.
The last time around when the North Londoners played in the European elite, Frank & Co. enjoyed a convincing 3-0 win over Slavia Prague. And despite all this chaos in domestic competitions, this roster has looked quite stable when playing in the Champions League.
When you compare them, Dortmund do have better overall form. They are second on the table in Bundesliga. And they have been on the losing side only once in their last 12 games in all competitions.
Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund Match Info
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Kick-off: 8:00pm GMT
Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund H2H
This is not the first time both the clubs rub shoulders in the Champions League. Most of Tottenham’s supporters would remember knocking Dortmund out of the Champions League in that famous 2018/19 run to the finals under Pochettino. Tottenham won 4-0 on aggregate across both legs after strong defensive performances from Jan Vertonghen and Hugo Lloris.
To put out the overall numbers, Tottenham have met Dortmund in the UCL 4 times. And the English giants have won all of those four games.
Team News
Tottenham team news
Injuries continue to be a problem at Hotspur Way this season. And that West Ham game gave the Lilywhites another layer of worry, as Ben Davies was stretchered off and will be out of contention for this midweek game, while Xavi Simons and Archie Gray picked up knocks and will need late fitness tests. Joao Palhinha remains a doubt after not playing against the Hammers.
Yves Bissouma made his first appearance of the season against West Ham. But he will not be available to play against Dortmund, as he is not in the Champions League squad for the Lilywhites. Winter arrival Conor Gallagher is also not registered in the UCL and will not be present for the North Londoners.
And within all this there is also a massive injury blow, as Micky van de Ven will be suspended for the game because of yellow cards.
Borussia Dortmund team news
Looking at the injury side of things for Dortmund, Niko Kovac will be without Chelsea loanee Aaron Anselmino and Marcel Sabitzer. Ramy Bensebaini was also absent from their weekend’s game with illness, and he will continue to be a doubt.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso, Spence; Gray, Bergvall; Odobert, Simons, Tel; Kolo Muani
Borussia Dortmund:
Kobel; Can, Anton, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Brandt; Silva
Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction
While Dortmund come into this game in better form, the North Londoners have a sense of urgency at Hotspur Way, and Spurs should come through with all three points for this one.
TTLB Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
