Although the north London club is experiencing some difficulties in the league this season, this is not the case in the Champions League. With solid victories over Villarreal (1-0) and Copenhagen (4-0), Tottenham have yet to lose a single European match since the start of the group stage. With eight points from four games, Spurs are in 10th place, just one point behind Paris Saint-Germain.
The Parisians, meanwhile, lost for the first time this season on the continental stage last time out against Bayern Munich (1-2). Before that, Les Rouge et Bleu had shone, winning in style against Atalanta (4-0), Barcelona (1-2) and Bayer Leverkusen (2-7). Fifth in the standings with nine points, Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to get back on track this Wednesday.
1 – Paris Saint-Germain have lost only one of their last six home matches in the Champions League against English teams (four wins, one draw).
2 – Tottenham have lost only two of their last 13 matches against French teams in major European competitions (six wins, five draws).
5 – The Spurs are unbeaten in their last five Champions League matches, during which they have kept no fewer than four clean sheets.
In goal for the London side, Thomas Frank is likely to rely on Guglielmo Vicario. The Italian international is undisputed in his position, as is the Cristian Romero/Micky van de Ven partnership in central defence. It remains to be seen whether the Danish coach will opt for a four- or five-man defence, which could see former Lens player Kevin Danso also start, while Ben Davies is still uncertain.
On the right side of defence, Spanish international Pedro Porro is expected to start, while Destiny Udogie and former Rennes player Djed Spence will compete for the starting spot on the opposite side. In midfield, too, nothing is set in stone: in the absence of Yves Bissouma, Portuguese international João Palhinha is performing well in a defensive midfield role, but Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr are also establishing themselves as two key players in the Spurs squad.
Could the English staff change their tactics and field a stronger midfield? It cannot be ruled out, but this would have a direct impact on playmaker Xavi Simons. In the absence of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, the former Parisian could be the technical leader of his team. Less used in recent times, the promising Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray will start on the bench.
With Brennan Johnson (suspended), Dominic Solanke (injured) and Mathys Tel (ineligible) all unavailable, all eyes will inevitably be on Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison in attack, who will pose the biggest threat for the English side. It remains to be seen who will be the third attacking player to start at the Parc, with Randal Kolo Muani able to play on either wing or in the centre, and French Under-21 international Wilson Odobert vying for a place on the left flank.
