Frankfurt may have parted ways with Dino Toppmoller, but I don’t think this will change how entertaining their games are. Frankfurt have seen 3+ goals in each of their last five matches across all competitions, including their most recent assignment in the Champions League, which ended in a 3-2 defeat to Qarabag.

Frankfurt are already out of the competition as even a win wouldn’t move them into the top 24, so they are playing for pride here, but they’ll also be looking to put together a bit of momentum after losing their head coach and failing to win any of their last five matches across all competitions. Frankfurt have seen 29 goals across their seven games in the Champions League this season (4.14 per game), seeing 3+ goals in six of their seven matches.

Tottenham have seen 3+ goals in four of their last five matches across all competitions, and realistically would need a win here to secure their spot in the top eight. Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Burnley over the weekend was a good example of the issues that are still facing Thomas Frank’s side, and I don’t feel confident in backing them to come away with a clean sheet against such a prolific scoring side.

Xavi Simons was impressive in Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Dortmund in their most recent Champions League assignment, with the former Leipzig star having five shots in that contest. He faces up against another Bundesliga side here that he will be familiar with, having faced off against Frankfurt multiple times with RB Leipzig.

Frankfurt are a very open side and will allow Tottenham chances, they’ve conceded 19 goals in the Champions League this term, which is the joint-most in the competition alongside bottom-placed side Kairat Almaty. Simons has had 12 shots across his four starts in the Champions League this season (2.81 per 90), with this tally returning one goal for the 22-year-old.

Simons has also had 21 shots across his 12 starts in the Premier League this season, working out to an average of 1.71 shots per 90. The slight increase we see in Simons’ shot numbers in the Champions League is common among players that move to the Premier League - many find their feet in European competition, with the English top-flight being a league that takes some adapting to.

Nathaniel Brown is set to line up as a wing back for Frankfurt in this clash, and his duel against a rejuvenated Wilson Odobert really stands out to me here. Odobert is a player that I had high expectations for when he was at Burnley, with the winger obviously having quite a high ceiling.

It’s taken him some time to adapt at a big club, but we’re starting to see just how effective he can be. Odobert has won eight fouls across his eight starts in the Premier League this season (0.81 per 90) and has won a further two fouls across his five starts in the Champions League this term (0.44 per 90).

Brown has committed four fouls across his seven appearances in the Champions League this term (0.59 per 90), but he’s far more aggressive than this record suggests. Brown has committed 14 fouls across his 14 appearances in the Bundesliga this term (0.93 per 90), which is a more accurate reflection of how aggressive the wing back can be for the Bundesliga side.

Frankfurt play in such an attacking manner, which makes their games incredibly watchable, but does cost them quite a lot, which is evident from their recent matches in which the Bundesliga side have failed to record a win, including a 3-2 defeat against Qarabag in the Champions League.

Frankfurt had five shots on target in that defeat and are averaging 3.30 shots on target per game in the Champions League this season. This rises to 4.40 shots on target per game when looking at their matches in the Bundesliga, with all the signs pointing to the fact that there is very little wrong with Frankfurt’s approach in the final third; it is the defensive side of their game which has continually let them down this season.

It’s hard to trust Tottenham to keep any kind of clean sheet at the moment, failing to do so in four of their last five matches across all competitions. They conceded two goals and four shots on target against Burnley over the weekend, highlighting their vulnerability.

Solanke has been included again in Tottenham’s Champions League squad after missing out earlier in the season. His inclusion comes at the sacrifice of Mathys Tel, who has harshly been excluded from the squad to make room for Solanke in the wake of Richarlison’s recent injury.

It’s a pretty brutal move by Thomas Frank, but he may be vindicated here with Solanke offering more of a goal threat than Tel as a central striker. Solanke scored Tottenham’s second goal as they registered a 2-0 win over Dortmund in their most recent Champions League assignment, and will be eyeing up another goal against Bundesliga opposition here.

Solanke is a capable striker at this level, he showed that last season with 16 goals across his 45 appearances in all competitions - including five goals across 13 appearances in the Europa League. It’s important that Spurs have him back fit and available, with Randal Kolo Muani struggling to adapt to the side and Richarlison currently unavailable through injury.

Vicario is one of the most confusing keepers in Europe, I watch him and he’s borderline world class - particularly in terms of shot-stopping - but he lets himself down in other areas of his game, such as claiming crosses or building out from the back.

I don’t think he’s going to get an easy ride here. Even though Frankfurt are already out of the Champions League, the Bundesliga side are likely to play without fear or pressure - and also have a new manager to impress with the club recently parting ways with Dino Toppmoller.

Vicario has been forced into making 21 saves across his seven appearances in the Champions League this season, working out to 3.00 saves per 90. He’s maintained a save percentage of 75% across those games.

Joao Palhinha profiles well in the cards market thanks to his high-intensity, physical style. He has committed six fouls in just 265 Champions League minutes this season, equating to 2.04 fouls per 90, while also averaging 3.74 tackles per 90 in the competition. That level of involvement has already resulted in one booking despite his limited minutes.

Palhinha is expected to anchor Tottenham’s midfield alongside Sarr and Gray, making him the senior figure in an area of the pitch where Spurs lack Champions League experience. His responsibility to disrupt play and protect the defence should see him involved in frequent challenges, increasing the likelihood of a caution.

Discipline has been an issue domestically too, with Palhinha picking up five yellow cards from 14 Premier League starts this season. He is likely to be matched up against Mario Gotze, a player who draws fouls regularly, winning 1.40 fouls per 90 in the Bundesliga and 0.80 per 90 in the Champions League.

Tottenham’s overall discipline further strengthens the case. Spurs have collected 58 yellow cards in the Premier League this season, more than any other side, suggesting another testing evening for their midfield enforcers.