The Champions League finally returns to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening. Last involved in the competition back in March 2020 after RB Leipzig knocked them out of the Round of 16, Spurs supporters have been waiting 30 months for this day to come again.
Marseille are Tottenham's first opponents from Group D and it promises to be an intriguing clash in N17. Antonio Conte's men have made a promising start to the 2022/23 campaign and the same can be said about the French side, who have won five and drawn one of their first six Ligue 1 fixtures.
Making five changes at the weekend for the 2-1 win over Fulham, the head coach is likely to make a few alterations here and there with Man City to come this weekend. So who should be in his team to face Marseille? Our Tottenham Hotspur reporters have had their say below.
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Rob Guest - Tottenham Hotspur reporter
Antonio Conte is likely to make a couple of changes to his Tottenham XI on Wednesday evening for their Champions League opener against Marseille. Currently in a period where the team are facing games every few days, changes need to be made to ensure the side is nice and fresh for Saturday's Premier League showdown against Man City.
However, it may only be one or two alterations to the side that beat Fulham at the weekend. Clement Lenglet performed very well against the Cottagers and should remain in the side given his experience of playing in the competition.
Emerson Royal could perhaps do with a breather, especially as he will be the favourite to start at right wing-back on Saturday at Man City, thus seeing Matt Doherty come into the side. On the opposite flank, Ivan Perisic will come into the side in place of Ryan Sessegnon.
Finally, it is between Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison for a spot in the front three. I'd maybe side with the latter for this game given his performance at the weekend, with the former then starting at Man City.
Guest's team: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Perisic; Richarlison, Kane, Son
Emma de Duve - Tottenham Hotspur reporter
It will be interesting to see the line-up Antonio Conte goes with, in Tottenham's first Champions League game of the season. The Italian may have one eye on Saturday's clash against Man City, but his focus will need to be getting a win from the first group match.
Therefore, I can see a similar team starting to the one that has been seen in a number of games so far this season. I think Lenglet did enough against Fulham, to keep his place in the back three, alongside Dier and Romero and perhaps Davies returns at the weekend.
Bentancur showed his importance when he returned to the starting XI on Saturday and Perisic offers Champions League experience and leadership on the left. Doherty may get his first start of the season, with Royal still lacking some attacking flair.
In regards to the front three, there are a few different options, with both Gil and Richarlison potentially having a chance to impress. However, I feel Conte may stick to the attacking trio he knows best to start with and make rotations if needed.
de Duve's team: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Perisic; Son, Kane, Kulusevski
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