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The defending European champions Real Madrid welcome in-form Spurs to the Santiago Bernabeu for a top of the group showdown. With 6 points from 2 games, both teams are off to an explosive start in Europe.
It is not a significant fixture in terms of qualification but both teams have a lot to prove after an indifferent start to their domestic season.
Let's see the 5 talking points as we preview this fixture:
#5 Return of Marcelo & Benzema
Marcelo Is more important to Real Madrid than many think. Marcelo has been vital to Real's success in recent years, with 61 assists since the 2009/10 season. He has formed a lethal bond with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch and they hunt as a pair. His energetic runs and pinpoint crossing have often resulted in goals. Real Madrid has struggled for inspiration in his absence and his return is not good news for Pochettino.
Benzema has been their solitary striker this season after the sale of Morata to Chelsea. Borja Mayoral played that role in his absence and for a 20-year-old, he did a great job. Real struggled in-front of goal in his absence and Zidane will be more than happy to welcome back his talismanic striker.
#4 Real test for Harry Winks
The 21-year-old made his full England debut during the international break and has been the find of the season so far for Tottenham. Winks is going from strength to strength at Tottenham Hotspur, producing some stunning displays domestically and also for England national team. He is a clever box to box midfielder who can read the game very quickly.
With Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama injured, he is expected to start the Champions League fixture against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday along with Eric Dier in the midfield. He will be facing Ronaldo & Co. at their own den and it is not going to be an easy outing for him. This will be his second game in Europe this season after making his debut against APOEL last month.
#3 Stopping Kroos & Modric
The big question for any team that plays Real these days is, how do we stop Modric and Kroos? It was once Xavi, Iniesta & Busquets but now, no team in Europe possesses a midfield as lethal as Real Madrid's.
Casemiro sits deep and runs things from the midfield. Kroos has been their pass master and rarely misplaces one. Luka Modric was the best midfielder across Europe last season.
It will be a tough job for Harry Kane & Co. to break their rhythm. Pochettino may have to think of a way to break their resilience. Serge Aurier and Ben Davies will find it hard to run past Real's midfield while Eriksen and Kane will not be given any amount of space in the midfield.
#2 Spurs defensive dilemma
Spurs are having a defensive headache ahead of their Tuesday fixture. Pochettino is expected to use a 3-4-3 formation with Alderweireld, Sachez, and Vertonghen at the back. Full-back/wing-back is an area of concern for Pochettino.
Ben Davies did not play against Bournemouth on Saturday and his availability for Tuesday is a doubt. Danny Rose is yet to feature this season after a horrific knee injury and is a few weeks away from playing again. Sergi Aurier failed to nail down a place and has been in and out of the side.
With Ronaldo & Isco on the wings for Real, Tottenham will find it hard to cope up with their pace. Dier has to play deep and it will require a defensive masterclass to stop Ronaldo & Co.
#1 Harry Kane's big audition
Harry Kane has been in sensational form for Tottenham over the last 3 seasons scoring more than 100 goals. He was good for England in the World Cup qualifiers but time has come now for Kane to show how good he can be against the best in business.
Kane sits on top of Champions League scoring charts with 5 goals from just 2 games. With Delle Alli suspended, it will be left to Harry Kane to provide the creative spark for Tottenham along with Christian Eriksen. He will be up against one of the best defenders in world football, Sergio Ramos.
A lot of big clubs are already vying for his signature including that of Real Madrid and if there is a test for Kane to prove his credentials, there will be no test bigger than this one.
