As Tottenham welcome the visit of FC Twente on Wednesday night, it will be a truly special occasion for fans of the club.
For the first time in 48 years, Spurs fans will witness a tie in Europe's elite club competition at their home ground. The last time that a European Cup game took place at north London club’s home was in 1962, when Bill Nicholson’s Spurs were dumped out of the tournament by eventual winners Benfica - after the second leg in London saw the hosts succumb to a 4-3 aggregate.
Fast forward almost half a century, and Spurs have a point from their first game – against Werder Bremen - in a fiercely competitive Group A. With defending champions Inter yet to take on the hosts, a victory at White Hart Lane will likely be required if Harry Redknapp’s charges are to make their way into the last 16.
Tottenham have also been inconsistent with getting the right result in recent times, as they only have one victory – against Wolves – in their last six games in all competitions. And coming off the back of two losses in the form of a League Cup defeat to rivals Arsenal and a Premier League loss to West Ham United, anything less than a win over Twente will have a detrimental effect on the morale of the players.
Dutch champions arrive with confidence
Twente boast a rags to riches story as they have risen from being or the brink of extinction in the early part of the decade to being crowned Dutch champions for the first time in their history last season.
Under the guidance of former England manager Steve McClaren, they rewrote their history books. But the gaffer has since departed to join Wolfsburg while a few of the players moved on to pastures new, but the team isn’t particularly weaker than when compared to last season.
And under the guidance of Michel Preud'homme, they have continued to play a similar kind of football that McClaren used to win the domestic title last season.
It comes based on the principle of having a miserly defence, as they have conceded only three league goals this season – lesser than any other club in the Dutch top-flight.
Twente are also on an unbeaten run in all competitions this season, and even held defending European champions Inter to a 2-2 draw in Enschede on matchday one.
With all this in mind, the travellers will touch down in London with utmost confidence, as they are yet to lose this season.
TEAM NEWS
Tottenham
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has concerning issues as several injuries have decimated his squad - particularly his defence - in recent weeks.Younes Kaboul (hamstring) remains a doubt, while William Gallas (groin) sustained his injury in a recent training session. In the meantime, Ledley King is also thought to have pulled up with a problem, but could yet feature as reports point towards the player having returned to training.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) was injured during the League Cup clash with Arsenal and missed the weekend defeat to West Ham United, but could return for this fixture. Michael Dawson (knee) is a long-term absentee, while Jermain Defoe (ankle) also remains sidelined.
Possible starting XI: Cudicini; Hutton, Corluka, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Crouch.
Twente
Bart Buysse (ankle) is expected to be out for six weeks, while fellow defender Dwight Tiendalli (leg) is a doubt having picked up a knock against Capelle last week. But otherwise manager Michel Preud'homme should have no problems.Possible starting XI: Mihaylov; Rosales, Douglas, Wisgerhof, Kuiper; Brama, De Jong, Janssen; Ruiz, Janko, Chadli.
Prediction
Tottenham 2-1 Twente 
