EChampions League play returns for the first time in almost a month, and we should give plenty of Thanks for that.
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s slate of games, a pair of Premier League sides and one exciting American youngster will all be in action.
First, Tottenham is in poor form and in deep trouble in Group E. With just two matches remaining, Spurs currently sit outside a knockout stage position, and need help to get back into one. They currently sit two points back of Bayer Leverkusen, who they do not play again. Next up, they travel to group leaders Monaco, a place that opponents have garnered just a single point through four matches.
[ MORE: Will Leicester City be relegated again? ]
Spurs have been forced to deal with the absence of Harry Kane for much of the group stage, and they have scored just one goal in three matches without him. Now he’s back, and in good form, having scored three goals in two Premier League matches since his return. However, the club still needed a furious comeback to beat West Ham this past weekend, and while they haven’t lost in Premier League play yet this season, they had struggled to four straight league draws before the win over the Hammers, and have just one point in their last two Champions League outings.
Elsewhere, Leicester City looks to continue its baffling dichotimy, as they sit 14th in the Premier League table, but sit atop Group G with three wins and a draw in Champions League play, yet to concede a goal through four games. They’ll need to get Jamie Vardy going as they host Club Brugge, as the star striker is yet to score a Champions League goal.
Real Madrid travels to nearby Portugal to face Sporting, with Cristiono Ronaldo coming off a hat-trick in the Madrid derby over the weekend, his second hat-trick in his last three league matches. Ronaldo has not scored in two Champions League matches, both against Legia Warsaw, but served up three assists in the two games.
Cristian Pulisic and Borussia Dortmund host Warsaw, currently leading Real Madrid in Group F by two points. Pulisic has started three of the four Champions League matches so far, with Dortmund winning all three as the American youngster went the full 90 minutes.
Juventus travels to Sevilla needing a win to overtake the lead in Group H. Porto travels to Copenhagen in a big match, as Porto would concede a qualifying spot with a loss. Lyon must win in Croatia or they risk being eliminated from advancement.
Tuesday’s Champions League matches (all matches 2:45 p.m. ET)
CSKA Moscow vs. Bayer Leverkusen (12:00 p.m. ET)
Leicester City vs. Club Brugge
Monaco vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund vs. Legia Warsaw
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Olympique Lyon
Sevilla vs. Juventus
Sporting CP vs. Real Madrid
FC Copenhagen vs. FC Porto
