Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Paul van Hecke and Tottenham Hotspur coach Roberto De Zerbi

Jan Paul van Hecke and Roberto De ZerbiManh Tung, Breaking Media

Tottenham predicted XI vs Charlton Athletic: Kinsky and Van Hecke axed in six changes

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Published on:

25 Aug 2026, 6:10 am

Tottenham Hotspur are reeling after a demoralising start to their Premier League campaign.

Spurs were soundly beaten in a 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday, in an awful beginning to the new season.

Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt were on target in the first half and Michael Kayode netted early after the break.

Igor Thiago also hit the post from the penalty spot, as Spurs were at least spared further embarrassment.

It was far from fans were expecting after a summer of change, and Roberto De Zerbi will not have been happy with what he saw.

Thankfully, Spurs have the chance to get more minutes in the legs in the Carabao Cup second round against Charlton Athletic at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday, and here Tottenham News has predicted six changes for De Zerbi's starting XI.

Van Hecke to be benched as De Zerbi shakes up his defence

Tottenham were all at sea defensively against the Bees, but De Zerbi will likely still see this game as a chance to ring the changes.

As such, there could be a first competitive out in goal for Martin Dubravka in place of Antonin Kinsky, who made five goals against Brentford but will feel he could have done more with Janelt's goal.

Archie Gray was captain versus Keith Andrews' men, and is likely to start at right-back again with Pedro Porro still working towards getting up to speed after his late return from his World Cup-winning exploits.

At centre-back, Jan Paul van Hecke - who completed just 50% of his long balls versus Brentford - might sit this one out with Kevin Danso getting the nod.

Next to him, the experienced Ben Davies could get an outing in place of Marcos Senesi, even though he won four tackles and eight ground duels last time out.

Destiny Udogie is facing an uncertain future, but De Zerbi could look to put him in the shop window here in place of Andrew Robertson.

Will James Maddison be ready to play vs Newcastle? Tottenham injury update emerges

Positional switch for Bergvall as Tottenham low on options

In midfield, Conor Gallagher played a little more advanced, but could drop a little deeper here with Sandro Tonali dropping out.

Rodrigo Bentancur came off the bench and it would be useful for him to get more minutes here.

Mateus Fernandes might get given the nod for his first competitive start, playing in a more number 10 role.

Mikey Moore could still head out on loan, so De Zerbi might opt to move Mathys Tel - who had an expected assists of just 0.06 versus Brentford - over to the right-hand side.

Lucas Bergvall wants to play in central midfield, but here it could be a needs-must scenario where he goes out to the left wing.

Richarlison came in for flak against Brentford, but with limited options in attack, the Brazilian might get another run out here to try and build his confidence.

Ben Davies