Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Tue 14 April 2026 12:10, UK

Tottenham Hotspur are back in action in the Premier League on Saturday, as they host Brighton.

Roberto De Zerbi took charge for the first time on Sunday, as his Lilywhites side fell to a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland, leaving them in the relegation zone.

The Italian took charge over the international break and was handed the immediate task of guiding Spurs to safety after a dismal campaign in North London.

Looking to bounce back on home soil, Tottenham welcome De Zerbi’s former club, Brighton, to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next up.

Taking charge in 2022, the 46-year-old would take the Seagulls to Europe, playing some of the best football seen across the division – something that Spurs fans will be hoping to see in North London.

Richarlison dropped after Sunderland no-show as Xavi Simons set for start

The Lilywhites have been in the middle of an injury crisis for the best part of two years, with this severely limiting each manager to come through the door.

As a result, De Zerbi has inherited an incredibly thin squad, with not a single orthodox winger available for selection – resulting in top scorer Richarlison operating out on the left flank.

Though, since the early days of his Everton career, the current Spurs forward has spent the majority of his minutes on the pitch playing through the middle, with the stats above highlighting the stark difference between his output across the two positions.

Against Sunderland on Sunday, the 28-year-old completed just five of 13 attempted passes, while he failed to create a chance, alongside completing just one out of three dribbles.

Looking ahead to Saturday, Mathys Tel simply has to be the answer out wide. Despite not being a natural winger himself, he has to be given a chance from the off.

Alongside this, Xavi Simons must be given the chance to prove himself under De Zerbi, after a far-from-ideal debut campaign for the star signing of the summer.

With the ability to carry the ball, Simons is a player always looking to make things happen, though he needs to become the talismanic influence expected as Spurs strive for survival.

Making three changes in total, one will be imposed upon the Italian, with captain Cristian Romero set to miss the remainder of the campaign following an injury picked up in the second half against Sunderland.

Kevin Danso will start, with his average of 5.3 clearances per game among the best in the entire Premier League, but he must clean up his act on the ball, losing possession 8.1 times per 90 minutes this season.

Now or never for Tottenham as relegation rivals pick up form

Dropping into the relegation zone for the first time since 2008 on Friday, the Lilywhites have been left languishing as a result of the scores elsewhere, while they limped to defeat on Wearside.

With West Ham and Leeds both taking three points, and Nottingham Forest earning a point against Aston Villa, Spurs’ future is not completely in their own hands at the moment, unless they pick up form fast.

Facing off against an in-form Brighton side, it would be quite poetic for De Zerbi to pick up his first win against the club that once benefitted from his services.

Fabian Hürzeler’s side will present a stern test, as the Seagulls aim to gatecrash the European places in the final six games of the season.

The current squad at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is too good to be where it is in the standings, though they are just not producing. One win could change that, with the new boss looking to instil a winning mentality ahead of what will hopefully be a summer rebuild.