Tonight, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium transforms into a pressure cooker for Matchday 7 of the Champions League League Phase. This isn't just a high-stakes European fixture; for Thomas Frank, it is a fight for survival.

The narrative is stark: Spurs enter this clash "bruised and restless" after a dismal domestic run, including a demoralizing 2-1 home loss to West Ham that has left fans calling for a coaching change. In contrast, Niko Kovač’s Borussia Dortmund arrive in North London humming with the confidence of a seven-match unbeaten streak. Separated only by goal difference in the UCL standings (10th vs 11th), both sides know that three points tonight could be the difference between an automatic top-eight spot and the nerve-shredding playoffs.


 Form Guide: The European Sanctuary vs. The German Juggernaut

Tottenham (L-L-L-D-W): Domestically, Spurs are in the doldrums, having failed to win any of their last five matches across all competitions. However, the Champions League has been their "sanctuary." At home in Europe this season, Tottenham have been flawless—three games, three wins, and remarkably, zero goals conceded. They are leaning heavily on the "San Siro spirit" that saw them find success earlier in the campaign, hoping the continental stage acts as a reset button.

Borussia Dortmund (W-W-D-W-W): Dortmund are in clinical form, coming off a gritty 3-2 victory over FC St. Pauli. While they were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by FK Bodø/Glimt in their last European outing, their overall momentum is formidable. They currently sit just one point off the top eight and will be eager to rectify a historically poor record on English soil.


 Tactical Breakdown & Team News

Tottenham’s Personnel Crisis:rnThomas Frank is navigating a "dire" situation. Spurs have an injury list that reads like a starting XI: James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, and Rodrigo Bentancur are all out. To make matters worse, Micky van de Ven is suspended, and January signing Conor Gallagher is ineligible for this phase. Expect a patched-up 4-2-3-1 where Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert must carry the creative burden, with Randal Kolo Muani likely leading the line.

Dortmund’s Health and Depth:rnNiko Kovač’s squad is in significantly better health. Aside from Marcel Sabitzer (calf), the Germans have a near-full strength traveling party. The tactical intrigue lies upfront: will the in-form Fábio Silva keep his spot, or will Kovač opt for the physical presence of Serhou Guirassy? Dortmund’s setup will likely be a fluid 3-4-2-1, designed to exploit Tottenham's lack of central midfield depth and test a backline missing its fastest recovery defender in Van de Ven.


 Coach Pre-Match Conference Snapshot

Thomas Frank (Tottenham): Faced a "20-minute grilling" regarding his future but insisted he retains the trust of the hierarchy. "There is a lot of noise, but I am focusing on what I can affect. The Champions League has been good to us. We need to turn this stadium back into a fortress tonight. If we do the right things, the randomness of football will turn in our favor."

Niko Kovač (Borussia Dortmund): Has remained more understated, focusing on the opportunity. "Tottenham are a dangerous opponent despite their league form. We have analyzed their European matches where they haven't conceded. We want to be the first to break that streak and take a big step toward the top eight."


 Key Players & Prediction

  • Tottenham: Xavi Simons. With so many stars missing, the creative weight falls on Simons. His ability to link midfield to attack will be the only way Spurs bypass Dortmund's physical pivot.

  • Borussia Dortmund: Karim Adeyemi. His electric pace is the perfect weapon to exploit a Tottenham defense missing the speed of Micky van de Ven.

Prediction

Draw, 1-1, Tottenham's domestic "doldrums" are real, but their European defensive record at home is a fortress. Dortmund have the form, but a cagey, high-stakes night in London often leads to a stalemate.