Tottenham have a one-point lead at the top of Group J, so a win would strengthen their hopes of progressing to the next round.

They take on an Anderlecht side who are without a win in their last five European matches, but secured a convincing 4-0 win at Waregem in the Jupiler League last time out.

Striker Stefan Okaka has six goals for Anderlecht in the league, but is still waiting for his first in the Europa League group stage.

Image source, Getty Images

Monaco will be hoping Tottenham slip up this evening because if they do, they could go top of Group J.

The French side, whose only defeat in their last 13 European matches was a 2-0 loss to Arsenal in last season's Champions League last-16, host Azerbaijan side Qarabag. A win for Monaco, coupled with defeat for Spurs, would be enough to put them top.

Elsewhere in the games that kick off at 18:00 BST, Basel - whose ground will host the Europa League final this season - entertain Belenenses in Group I, while free-scoring Schalke are at home to Sparta Prague in Group K. The German side have scored seven goals, conceding none, so far in this season's competition.

We don't see many English-born players who go through their youth career overseas but Tottenham have one in Eric Dier, who learned his trade at Sporting Lisbon.

"I moved there when I was six or seven and when I was eight I got picked up by Sporting. I took it step by step and ended up here.

"I lived at the academy. They aren't just teaching you about football but how to grow up as a man as well - keeping your room tidy, shaking hands with people, manners."

BBC Sport's Football Focus have had a sit down with Dier and you can watch a clip here.

BBC Radio London
BBC Radio London

If you want to take in the action through the power of listening, you can click on our football commentaries page here and access the match live thanks to BBC Radio London. 

Former Premier League striker Bradley Allen provides the analysis from Belgium.

Mention Anderlecht to a Spurs fan and they'll presumably instantly mention the 1984 Uefa Cup final.

Spurs won their second Uefa Cup title with a two-legged win over the Belgians, sealed with a flying Tony Parks save from Eidur Gudjohnsen's dad in a penalty shootout at the Lane.

Image source, Getty Images

European success has been a stranger to Tottenham since. Most success has been to be honest - they've won one FA Cup and two League Cups in the last 31 years...

You can say what you like about the Europa League but they don't scrimp on action of a Thursday night.

Here's what's on the agenda for the early phase of games tonight:

FK Qabala v Borussia Dortmund - 16:00

APOEL Nicosia v Asteras Tripolis - 18:00

FC Schalke 04 v Sparta Prague - 18:00

AZ v FC Augsburg - 18:00

Partizan Belgrade v Athletic Club - 18:00

Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk v St Etienne - 18:00

Lazio v Rosenborg - 18:00

FC Basel v Belenenses - 18:00

Fiorentina v Lech Poznan - 18:00

Monaco v FK Qarabag - 18:00

Anderlecht v Tottenham Hotspur - 18:00

Lokomotiv Moscow v Besiktas - 18:00

Sporting Lisbon v Skenderbeu Korce - 18:00

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs make five changes from the side which drew 0-0 with Liverpool as in come Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Andros Townsend and Clinton Njie.

Harry Kane is on the bench.

Spurs: Lloris: Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dembele, Dier; Lamela, Eriksen, Townsend; Njie

Anderlecht make one alteration to the team which beat Waregem 4-0 in the Jupiler League on Sunday with Youri Tielemans replacing Andy Najar in midfield. The Belgian side also include Stefano Okaka, who is their top scorer with six goals this season and was on loan at Fulham in the 2009-10 season.

Anderlecht XI: Proto, Deschacht, Obradovic, Mbodji, Praet, Defour, Gillet, Tielemans, Dendoncker, Ezekiel, Okaka.

Spurs are kicking us off. Question: Are Tottenham making progress?

Just a month ago they thumped Manchester City 4-1 but have since then drawn three games in a row and remain in seventh place in the Premier League.

Can they make it into the top four this season? Win a cup competition?

Liverpool

Image source, Liverpool FC

The Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield will not be defined on Thursday nights but the charismatic 'normal one's arrival has already captivated the club's fans, delighted the national media and elevated tonight's match above that of a Europa League group game.

How will he get on? Time will tell.

But before we find out there's another Premier League team taking to the stage.

"Forget the Beatles and all the rest. This is the real Liverpool sound. It's real singing, and it's what the Kop is all about."  

Image source, PA

Bill Shankly's quote about the Kop at Anfield may well sum up all that is great and all that is broken at Liverpool Football Club.

A club with such great history, such worldwide appeal that the atmosphere generated by one stand has permeated the fabric of football itself.

Image source, Getty Images

The atmosphere on the Kop may not be what it was in the 1960s,1970s and 1980s, when trophies were won and applauded on an almost annual basis but the stand - the stadium - retains a special place in football.

Easily mocked by some, envied by many, it can easily overwhelm others. Tonight it greets a new manager.

Image source, Getty Images

And I think Jurgen Klopp will handle it just fine - don't you?