Tottenham Hotspur will face Bayern Munich for the first time in the Champions League on Tuesday night as the German giants make the trip to the English capital.
Indeed, these two teams have not locked horns since the third round of the UEFA Cup in 1983. Bayern currently lead Group B with three points - two points clear of second-placed Tottenham after one matchday.
Tottenham
© ReutersSaturday's 2-1 win over Southampton was potentially a season-defining moment for Spurs. Indeed, with Serge Aurier sent off in the 31st minute and Danny Ings levelling the scores shortly after, it would have been easy for the capital outfit to go under amid a tough run of form.
Harry Kane's 43rd-minute goal was decisive, though, and Spurs climbed into fourth position in the Premier League table with a huge three points when considering the context of the match.
Tottenham's 2-1 loss at Leicester City in the Premier League last weekend was followed by a shock defeat to League Two Colchester United in the EFL Cup. Another poor result on Saturday would have piled the pressure on head coach Mauricio Pochettino, but the hosts triumphed to record their first three points since September 14.
Spurs opened their Champions League Group B campaign with a 2-2 draw at Olympiacos on September 18. Last season's finalists led 2-0 inside 30 minutes before the home side hit back to claim a share of the spoils.
As a result, there is pressure on the capital outfit to pick up three points against Bayern, who could seriously take charge of the section with a win on Tuesday night. These are the type of games that Tottenham dreamt of for many years, but the Bundesliga champions will travel full of purpose.
There is no question that all is not well with Pochettino, and it will be very interesting to see how the story plays out over the next few months. Spurs face a tough trip to Brighton & Hove Albion in the league next weekend, while they will visit Liverpool before the end of next month.
The likes of Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen perhaps no longer want to be at the club, but Champions League nights are always special, particularly with the club facing Bayern for the first time in more than 35 years.
Tottenham have won eight of their last 11 Champions League home matches, while they have been victorious in each of their four games versus German clubs home and away - all against Borussia Dortmund. The capital giants lost five times in last season's competition despite reaching the final, though, and face a tough task against Niko Kovac's team.
Recent form: D
Recent form (all competitions): DWDLLW
Bayern Munich
© ReutersLike Tottenham, Bayern will enter this match off the back of a league win at the weekend, but it was far from convincing from the German champions as they were given a scare by basement side Paderborn. A 3-2 victory saw them move to the top of the table, but it was a poor defensive performance.
Kovac's side are now unbeaten in their eight matches since the German Super Cup, though, and have certainly not struggled for goals during that run - hitting three in four separate matches, in addition to a four and a six.
Bayern's Group B opener also brought a fairly comfortable three points as Kingsley Coman, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller scored in a 3-0 home win. As a result, another victory for the German giants on Tuesday night would place them in a strong position at the top of the section.
Bayern have won each of the last seven Bundesliga titles but have not lifted the European Cup since 2012-13, which is too long for a club of their ilk. They have actually only won the Champions League once since 2001, and it remains to be seen whether they are capable of challenging for this season's crown.
This is actually Bayern's 23rd Champions League group campaign - they finished top of their section last season to advance to the round of 16, where they lost to eventual winners Liverpool. Der FCB have actually only won one of their last five games away to English clubs - losing twice in the process.
Bayern are unbeaten in their last nine European away matches, however, and have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four on the road, which is an indication of the task facing Tottenham on Tuesday night.
It has been a period of change for the club with the likes of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery moving on at the end of last season. Holding off the challenge from the likes of Dortmund to win another Bundesliga title will be of paramount importance, but the Champions League is also so important to the club.
In Lewandowski, meanwhile, Bayern have a striker in serious form. The 31-year-old has scored 12 times in nine appearances in all competitions this season, and Spurs will need to deal with the Poland international if they are to stand any chance of picking up a good result on home soil.
Recent form: W
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWWW
Team News
© ReutersSpurs remain without the services of summer arrival Giovani Lo Celso due to a hip problem, while Ryan Sessegnon is still out of action with a hamstring issue.
There were fears over Son Heung-min after the attacker was replaced in the second half of Saturday's clash with Southampton, but the 27-year-old should be fit for Tuesday's clash.
Eriksen could keep his spot in a forward position, but Pochettino has plenty of options for change with Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela and Dele Alli all pushing for spots in the XI.
Harry Winks's ball-retention skills should see the midfielder keep his spot in the middle of the park, while Aurier could again play at right-back despite his red card against Southampton at the weekend.
As for Bayern, Leon Goretzka and Jann-Fiete Arp are both on the sidelines through injury, while Ivan Perisic is a doubt after missing the clash with Paderborn through illness.
David Alaba was back on the bench at the weekend and could come into the XI, while Philippe Coutinho, Coman and Serge Gnabry should all feature in a forward position.
Muller and Javi Martinez are also pushing for starts, although the experienced pair might have to settle for spots on the bench once again.
Tottenham possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Ndombele, Winks, Sissoko; Eriksen; Son, Kane
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Pavard, Sule, Boateng, Alaba; Kimmich, Thiago; Gnabry, Coutinho, Coman; Lewandowski
Head To Head
These two teams have only met on four previous occasions - twice in the 1982-83 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and twice in the 1983-84 UEFA Cup.
Tottenham won 2-0 when they last locked horns in the English capital, although Bayern claimed a 1-1 draw in London on their first European visit in October 1982.
The pair did meet during their preparations for the 2019-20 campaign, though, and Spurs won on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena.
We say: Tottenham 2-2 Bayern Munich
This has all of the makings of a very, very interesting game of football. Both teams will feel that they can hurt their opponents in the final third, and we are finding it difficult to separate them.
body check tags ::
