After a deflating derby day defeat on the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur face a tricky Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday, in a game that could have major implications in Group D.
While Antonio Conte's men fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, Frankfurt became the first side to defeat early Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin this campaign, with a satisfying 2-0 home win.
Match preview
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Fresh from a win over the league leaders, Oliver Glasner's Frankfurt will be seeking a fourth consecutive victory with the visit of Tottenham, a streak that began with a magnificent Champions League victory in Southern France.
After a dismal 3-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in their opening group game, the Germans snapped Marseille's streak of five successive home victories with an incisive, smash-and-grab performance at the Orange Velodrome, as Jesper Lindstrom fired home a crisp, left-footed finish to seal a 1-0 away win.
As ever with Die Adler, though, form has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Famed for their consistent inconsistency, Glasner's men have already followed up a 4-0 thumping of RB Leipzig with a dire 1-0 loss to Wolfsburg this season, so they will need to remain focused with the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min sniffing around for any lapses of concentration.
While their home form is not fantastic, having lost three times at Deutsche Bank Park already this campaign, the Europa League holders are clearly a dangerous side, who should not be taken lightly by Conte's men.
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As for the visitors, heading into one of the busiest fixture blocks in their recent history, there is absolutely no time to dwell on past performances.
Taking on a Frankfurt side who also have three points in Group D, a positive result in Germany could help to open up a valuable route through to the Champions League knockout stages.
The Lilywhites became the first English side to lose to Sporting Lisbon in Europe's top competition three weeks ago, as former Spurs academy player Marcus Edwards led the line for the Portuguese side in a 2-0 win.
Os Leoes are top of the group, but face a tricky trip to Marseille this week, leaving a potential opportunity for the other two sides to catch up.
A 62nd-minute red card for Emerson Royal certainly did not help Tottenham's cause on the weekend, allowing a galvanised Arsenal to push on and kill an otherwise competitive game. While not at their best, Conte's side did not completely crumble under the pressure, and were perhaps unfortunate to lose by two.
Similar resolve will be required in Frankfurt, to ensure that morale does not sink ahead of a demanding glut of games, as trips to Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United sandwich crucial European encounters.
Team News
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Frankfurt came through their Bundesliga encounter unscathed on Saturday, with Randal Kolo Muani's red card the only blot on the copybook. His suspension will not carry over into European competition, meaning the striker will be available for selection on Tuesday.
Versatile midfielder Kristijan Jakic picked up a knock on international duty for Croatia, and will probably be absent here after sitting out the weekend win, while new signing Jerome Onguene will have to wait once again to make his Frankfurt debut due to a hip injury.
Injured defenders Aurelio Buta and Almamy Toure are not registered for the Champions League, so will be unavailable, even if their discomforts clear up. Thirty-eight-year-old centre-back Makoto Hasebe will be the beneficiary, stepping into the back three for a fourth consecutive start.
For the visitors, talented winger Dejan Kulusevski remains doubtful after missing the North London Derby, while Lucas Moura will also sit out due to a calf problem.
The fitness of Ben Davies also remains in doubt, after sustaining a hairline fracture in that defeat to Sporting Lisbon last month. There was no sign of the Welshman on Saturday, prompting concerns that the defender might be missing for a few more games.
After an energy-sapping encounter on the weekend, we might see a few changes from Antonio Conte, with Yves Bissouma, Davinson Sanchez and Ryan Sessegnon pushing for a start.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Ndicka, Hasebe, Tuta; Lenz, Sow, Rode, Knauff; Kamada, Kolo Muani, Lindstrom
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Sanchez; Sessegnon, Bentancur, Bissouma, Perisic; Richarlison, Kane, Son
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
With plenty to play for, we expect a buoyant Eintracht Frankfurt to cause Spurs problems coming forward.
However, the Germans have conceded 11 goals at home this season, so are likely to give up a few chances that should be punished by a high-quality forward line.
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