Tottenham Hotspur marks their return to the Champions League tonight against Villarreal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, their first appearance in the competition since 2023. After clinching a Europa League title last season, Spurs have earned their place back amongst Europe's elite. The match kicks off at 8pm BST.

Spurs have enjoyed a strong start to the season under new boss Thomas Frank and currently sit third in the Premier League. Their most recent fixture saw them secure a convincing 3-0 victory against West Ham. Villarreal, on the other hand, has had a mixed start to their La Liga campaign, currently holding sixth position. Their previous match resulted in a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Thomas Frank, the Tottenham boss, expressed his excitement about his Champions League managerial debut. He acknowledged the special atmosphere of the competition and is particularly looking forward to the moment when the Champions League anthem plays. Frank's previous European experience includes a Super Cup defeat and Europa League qualifying campaigns during his time with Brondby.

Unfortunately, Tottenham will be without striker Dominic Solanke, who is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained in August. Frank confirmed that Solanke is making progress but is not yet ready to participate in the game.

The match is available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video for subscribers, with coverage starting from 6:30pm. A 30-day free trial is available for new subscribers.

Looking at potential lineups, Guglielmo Vicario is expected to start in goal for Tottenham. The predicted defensive lineup includes Djed Spence, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Pedro Porro. In midfield, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Lucas Bergvall are likely to feature. The forward line could consist of Xavi Simons, Richarlison, and Mohammed Kudus.

Former Spurs player Juan Foyth is likely to feature for Villarreal, along with Renato Veiga, who recently became the club's record signing.

The game presents a fascinating contest between Tottenham's attacking prowess and Villarreal's tactical approach. It remains to be seen which Tottenham side will show up – the one that dismantled West Ham or the one that struggled against Bournemouth. Given the occasion, Spurs should be motivated to put on a strong performance in their Champions League return.