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The focus is on an important round of continental clashes. Two fascinating fixtures take center stage in the schedule, as sides fighting for important standings in the group stage.

The Chelsea Conundrum

Which iteration of Chelsea will we see on Italian soil? Their last European performance served as a declaration, a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Barcelona that stood as a peak for their manager's reign. Yet, form has been unpredictable since then. A credible tie with Arsenal was followed by a defeat at Leeds, and a dour stalemate at Bournemouth has left them with momentum drained.

They face a tricky Atalanta that sits tied in the standings alongside them. The Italian side endured a 4-0 loss in their first game at PSG but have gone undefeated on the continent ever since, contrasting somewhat mid-table results in Serie A.

A Must-Win for Tottenham

Much like their London counterparts, Ange Postecoglou's side can be notoriously inconsistent. A heavy loss away to PSG, coming between disappointing defeats to Arsenal and Fulham, had increased scrutiny on boss Thomas Frank. But, the last two league results – four points from six – have offered a measure of calm.

This evening, they host a Slavia Prague side still searching for their first victory in the competition. These are exactly the type of match that simply must be won if they are to climb into the top eight, particularly given upcoming challenges against Borussia Dortmund and Frankfurt on the horizon.

The Evening's Other Games

The drama extends beyond those two matches. One key encounter, the Blaugrana will look to respond after their loss when they host Eintracht Frankfurt. Meanwhile, high-flying PSV Eindhoven pose a stern test for the backline of Atlético Madrid. Finally, AS Monaco hosts the Turkish champions in a match which promises of a potential high-scoring affair. Every game begin this evening.

A pivotal night in the group stage is upon us, as clubs striving to secure a route into the latter stages.