The focus is on a pivotal round of continental clashes. Two intriguing fixtures headline the schedule, as teams fighting for important standings in the group stage.
Chelsea's Inconsistent Form
Which iteration of Chelsea will we see on Italian soil? Their last European performance was a statement, a comprehensive three-goal win against Barcelona that stood as a peak in their manager's tenure. Yet, form has been unpredictable since then. A solid tie against Arsenal came before a defeat away to Leeds United, and a lackluster draw at Bournemouth means they arrive with momentum sapped.
Awaiting them is a dangerous Atalanta that sits tied in the standings with them. The Italian side endured a 4-0 loss in their first game at PSG but have remained unbeaten in Europe since, contrasting their mid-table results in Serie A.
A Must-Win for Tottenham
Much like their rivals, Tottenham can be famously unreliable. A 5-3 defeat away to PSG, sandwiched between painful losses in the Premier League, had increased pressure on manager the Danish coach. However, recent domestic outings – four points from six – have provided a measure of calm.
Tonight, they welcome a Slavia Prague side yet to win in the competition. These are exactly the type of fixture which Spurs need to be won if they are to climb towards the knockout places, particularly given forthcoming challenges against Borussia Dortmund and Frankfurt still to come.
The Evening's Other Games
The drama extends beyond England and Italy. In a key encounter, Barcelona will aim to bounce back after their loss as they welcome the German side. Meanwhile, high-flying PSV Eindhoven will provide a major challenge to the defence of Diego Simeone's team. Rounding out the night, AS Monaco hosts the Turkish champions in an encounter that has all the makings of a potential goal-fest. All matches begin at 8pm GMT.
A pivotal evening for the tournament standings awaits, with teams fighting for their path into the latter stages.
