Hoffenheim vs Spurs | How to watch, team news, kit colours, key information

Europa League action returns after the Christmas break as we make the trip to Germany to face Hoffenheim in our penultimate outing of the new league phase of the competition on Thursday.

We go into the game perched just outside the top eight on goal difference with 11 points so far, while the hosts are down in 27th spot with six points from their six games to date.

The reformatting of the competition this year mean we have the rarity of Europa League matches in the month of January, with this week’s tie followed by a home clash with Swedish side Elfsborg next Thursday as we bid to secure automatic qualification for the knockout rounds.

Here’s all the key info you need...

What time is kick-off against Hoffenheim?

Thursday’s match gets underway at 5.45pm UK time, 6.45pm local time in Germany.

How can I watch the game?

Thursday’s clash will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 2.

You can also follow all the action via the home page feed on the Spurs Official app, while our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the app also brings you all the action as it happens with live text and audio commentary, stats, live photos and more.

What is the team news?

Rodrigo Bentancur returns to the fold after suffering a head injury against Liverpool a fortnight ago, but fellow central midfielder Pape Matar Sarr is the latest player to join our extensive injury list and misses out on the trip to Germany.

Defender Cristian Romero has returned to training, but the match against Hoffenheim will come too soon for him.

Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Yves Bissouma, Wilson Odobert, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner also miss out through injury while Djed Spence, Sergio Reguilon, Antonin Kinsky and Yang Min-Hyeok are ineligible to feature in this stage of the competition.

Ozan Kabak, Florian Grillitsch, Grischa Promel, Ihlas Bebou and Marius Bulter are all absent for the hosts, while Gift Orban and Erencan Yardimci are ineligible.

Who is the referee?

Morten Krogh of Denmark will officiate Thursday evening’s tie.

Dennis Wollenberg Rasmussen and Steffen Bramsen will be his assistants, with Mikkel Redder as the fourth official.

Pol van Boekel and assistant Fedayi San will be on VAR duties.

What colours will the teams be playing in?

Hoffenheim will wear royal blue shirts and socks with darker blue shorts.

Their keeper will be in dark green.

We’ll be in our traditional all-Lilywhite European strip, with our keeper in yellow.

What will the weather conditions be like?

Although it’s due to rain in the area on Thursday morning, the wet weather is forecast to have subsided by the time the match comes around. It’ll be cloudy with light winds and temperatures at around three degrees.

What is the travel information if I’m going to the game?

Travel information for those making the trip to Germany can be found here.