Anderlecht vs. Tottenham: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Tottenham have begun their season with an intriguing set of results. 

Beaten just twice by mid-October in all competitions, Spurs have demonstrated a rare defensive resilience, but a hit-and-miss attack has provoked unusual results. 

Mauricio Pochettino's side are seventh, far from the league leaders but just one win out of the top four. 

They have the equal-best defence in England, but their floundering attack has proven an Achilles heel. 

This tie is, of course, reminiscent of the 1984 UEFA Cup final, but neither side is in the ascendancy as they were then.  

A good-enough side to beat Galatasaray and draw with both Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last season, Anderlecht should not be underestimated, but they are a fading force. 

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba were sold in the summer, and the Belgian club's hopes rest on the shoulders of 18-year-old midfielder, Youri Tielemans. 

Thirty-one years ago, this tie decided the destination of a European trophy. This match lacks the historical consequences of that clash, but it will play a role in determining whether Spurs progress from this tricky group.

Spurs sit atop Group J after two matches and can all but eliminate their Belgian rivals with a win. Alternatively, should Anderlecht find a way to win, the group could be gridlocked with three games to play.

Team News

Spurs remain light on troops for their trip to Belgium with Nacer Chadli (ankle), Tom Carroll (ankle), Nabil Bentaleb (ankle), Alex Pritchard (ankle) and Son Heung-Min (foot) all missing the tie while Ryan Mason could make his return, per the official club website. Eric Dier is available after being suspended for the weekend's Premier League fixture against Liverpool.

Live Stream and TV Info

UK: 6 p.m. BST — BT Sport Europe

USA: 1 p.m. ET — FOX Sports 1 & FOX Soccer 2Go

Form Lines

Tottenham 

Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool

Swansea 2-2 Tottenham

Monaco 1-1 Tottenham (UEL)

Tottenham 4-1 Manchester City

Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal (League Cup)

Anderlecht 

Anderlecht 3-1 Spouwen-Mopertingen

Anderlecht 1-0 Sint-Truiden

Qarabag 1-0 Anderlecht (UEL)

Anderlecht 1-1 Mechelen

Zulte-Waregem 0-4 Anderlecht

Predicted Formations

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Tottenham

Goalkeeper: Michel Vorm — Despite his poor performance in the League Cup defeat to Arsenal, Vorm needs to be playing competitive football. 

Defence: Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Kevin Wimmer, Ben Davies — With Danny Rose preferred against Liverpool, Davies should be selected here. Federico Fazio could make a return to the first team, but it is unlikely after his disastrous showing against Arsenal. Pochettino has proven himself willing to hold a grudge. 

Midfield: Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele — Dier returns from suspension alongside Dembele in a solid midfield base. The Belgium international must provide creativity moving forward or risk replacement by the returning Mason. 

Attack: Andros Townsend, Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela — With injuries piling up, this trio should get their chance in European action. Lamela and Townsend remain unpolished gems, while Eriksen must take a lead role against Anderlecht. 

Striker: Clinton Njie — Harry Kane needs a rest and Njie must get an opportunity to start at his preferred position. 

Anderlecht

GK: Silvio Proto — The only goalkeeper used so far this season by Anderlecht, Proto should be selected against Spurs. 

Defence: Olivier Deschacht, Guillaume Gillet, Ivan Obradovic, Anthony Vanden Borre — Anderlecht have preferred to retain this backline so far this season and should do the same here. 

Midfield: Andy Najar, Steven Defour, Dennis Praet — A solid midfield should provide a running battle for Tottenham's middle men. 

Attack: Matias Suarez, Stefano Okaka, Imoh Ezekiel — Anderlecht possess a damaging front three that will test Pochettino's back-up back-line.

Player to Watch 

Dembele was named man of the match against Liverpool and should get another chance to press his case against Anderlecht. 

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

He shone in a deeper midfield role than he is used to against Jurgen Klopp's side, and it will be interesting to see whether he is deployed in the same position in Europe. 

Dembele is goal-shy but fiercely strong and excellent in possession. He is well-suited to the deep role and could be the key in an under-strength Tottenham team. 

For Anderlecht, Tielemans remains the headline name. 

The young Belgian midfielder has been an exciting "one-to-watch" type of player for too long. 

It is time to see what he can do to influence a game against a strong English side. 

The hype around this burgeoning Belgian star will swell with a strong showing against Spurs while a quiet game could have the opposite effect. 

Key Battle 

When Tottenham have dominated central midfield this season, they've been easily the better side. The same will be true in Belgium. 

If Dier and Dembele can both lock up Spurs' defence and spring quick counter-attacks, Tottenham should win this one at a canter. 

Odds

Tottenham have proven something of a defensive specialist side so far this season, but the odds offered for four or more goals in this match are too good to refuse. 26-1 is a ludicrous offering and could help a lucky punter make a tidy profit.