Gedson Fernandes makes his Champions League debut for Spurs. His presence allows Giovani Lo Celso to move upfield in the space left by the injured Son Heung-min.
Leipzig’s defensive crisis means a start for Ethan Ampadu, on loan from Chelsea. One-time Everton striker Ademola Lookman is on the bench.
Tonight’s teams
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies, Winks, Fernandes, Lo Celso, Alli, Bergwijn, Lucas Moura.
Subs: Vertonghen, Lamela, Dier, Gazzaniga, Ndombele, Skipp, Tanganga.
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi, Mukiele, Klostermann, Halstenberg, Angelino, Laimer, Ampadu, Sabitzer, Nkunku, Schick, Werner.
Subs: Haidara, Poulsen, Forsberg, Lookman, Wolf, Olmo, Mvogo.
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey).
Preamble
Only three teams have ever lifted the European Cup the season after tasting defeat in the final: Milan in 1994, Bayern Munich in 2013 and Liverpool last year. Three in 63 seasons; that’s a one-in-21 hit rate. If history counts for anything, Tottenham Hotspur have their work cut out if they’re to go one better than last season. On behalf of all Spurs fans: bah.
But hold on! Spin it another way, and the feat has been achieved twice in the last seven seasons. It’s far from a pipe dream in the modern game. So on behalf of all Spurs fans: yay!
Mind you, the first knockout hurdle on the road to Istanbul looks a toughie. And not just because Spurs lost 7-2 the last time a German team came to N17, a mere four months ago. Bayern Munich, Tottenham’s tormentors that horrific evening, are currently leading the Bundesliga, but they’re being pursued all the way by tonight’s visitors RB Leipzig. The club might only be celebrating its 11th birthday come May, but this is clearly a team capable of mixing it with the older boys. So you’ll forgive Spurs, 137, if they feel a little trepidation tonight.
It doesn’t help that Spurs will be without their first-choice front line of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. But Leipzig have defensive worries: Dayot Upamecano is suspended while Ibrahima Konate and Willi Orban are out injured. Ethan Ampadu, on loan from Chelsea, may get a start as a result. So it’s swings and roundabouts. Throw in the fact that Leipzig have only won one of their last five in all competitions, while Spurs are three wins on the bounce, and we’ve got ourselves a game. It’s on!
Kick off: 8pm BST.
Updated