Can Niko Kovac’s free-scoring Dortmund exploit the gloom around Tottenham?

Tottenham Hotspur return to Champions League action on Tuesday under growing pressure as they host Borussia Dortmund in North London.

Spurs arrive on the back of a damaging late defeat to West Ham that has intensified scrutiny on head coach Thomas Frank.

Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time winner on Saturday condemned Tottenham to a third straight defeat in all competitions and sparked audible frustration among the home support.

The reaction inside the stadium reflected a side struggling for direction domestically, with Frank now facing questions over his immediate future.

The Champions League has offered a partial escape from those problems.

Tottenham sit 11th in the league-phase table and remain firmly in contention for a top-eight finish.

They are only one point off the automatic qualification places with two matches remaining.

Their European form has been notably stronger than their Premier League campaign.

Spurs have won three of their six Champions League matches and remain unbeaten at home in the competition.

They have also yet to concede a goal on their own ground in this league phase.

That record provides some encouragement on a night when confidence is otherwise fragile.

Borussia Dortmund arrive level on points with Tottenham and sit one place above them on goals scored.

Niko Kovac’s side are unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions and come into the fixture with momentum.

A dramatic weekend league win, sealed by a last-minute penalty, underlined their resilience and attacking threat.

Dortmund have been prolific in this Champions League campaign, scoring more goals than any other side in the league phase.

Defensive issues have, however, undermined them, particularly away from home.

They have conceded freely on their travels and kept just one clean sheet in their last nine away matches in all competitions.

That vulnerability may offer Tottenham a route back into form.

History also leans in Spurs’ favour.

Tottenham have won four successive meetings with Dortmund and have enjoyed success against German opposition in North London.

Even so, the current balance of confidence appears to favour the visitors.

Dortmund remain in the Bundesliga title race and view the Champions League as their most realistic path to silverware this season.

For Tottenham, the stakes are more immediate.

A positive result would ease pressure on Frank and keep their top-eight ambitions alive.

Another defeat would deepen the sense of crisis and raise further doubts over the direction of the club.

Both sides know victory would represent a significant step towards the knockout stages.

For Spurs, it may also determine how much faith remains in their manager.