Roberto De Zerbi looking left with a disappointed expression

Roberto De ZerbiImago

Roberto De Zerbi will already be pulling his hair out at Tottenham reveal - Verdict

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Published on:

20 Jun 2026, 8:10 am

Roberto De Zerbi is a man on a mission after successfully leading Tottenham to Premier League safety.

The Italian was appointed at the end of March, after the failed tenure of Thomas Frank and disaster interim spell of Igor Tudor.

Spurs took 11 points from the final seven games of the campaign, including a final-day 1-0 win over Everton that ensured survival.

It means, to date, De Zerbi has a win percentage of 42.86 per cent during his still relatively infant reign at Spurs.

It goes without saying, though, that Tottenham must have significantly loftier ambitions than merely surviving in the Premier League.

Which is why De Zerbi will already be pulling his hair out at what Opta Analyst have revealed on Friday.

How difficult are Tottenham's opening Premier League fixtures?

Friday was a day that Premier League fans all over the country will have had bookmarked, as fixtures for the 2026/27 campaign were announced.

Spurs fans will be optimistic that under the stewardship of De Zerbi there will be a considerable improvement on their top-flight standing next season.

And yet, there may well be an air of trepidation about things after Opta Analyst revealed the rankings for the most difficult opening five fixtures of the season.

According to Opta's model, Tottenham face the fifth most difficult start to the season in the top flight.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔-𝟐𝟕 𝐅𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲

According to the Opta Power Rankings, Manchester United have been handed the ‘easiest’ first five games of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

Marco Rose's Bournemouth have the toughest opening five. pic.twitter.com/HZdxTix2pk
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 19, 2026

With fixtures against Brentford, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Everton, and Aston Villa, Spurs' average opponent rating is 92.2.

Only Bournemouth, Sunderland, new boys Coventry City, and De Zerbi's former employers Brighton are considered to have a more difficult start.

Tottenham's full 2026-27 Premier League fixtures: London derby first up, Arsenal clashes and nightmare end

What is Tottenham's opening-day record like?

The more positive outlook for Tottenham, is that they have a 60 per cent win record for opening-day fixtures over the past 10 seasons.

Spurs have won six, drawn three, and lost just once in that time, and are undefeated in their past four when beginning a campaign away from home.

De Zerbi has only even managed one opening game fixture in the Premier League, but on that occasion steered Brighton to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Luton Town.

However, one area of concern for De Zerbi will be the fact Tottenham have not won away at Brentford in 80 years.

In eight such encounters, Tottenham have just a solitary win, with Brentford owning three wins, and the others ending as a draw.

Thomas Frank