Tottenham will have several debutants but a number of key players missing as they face Brentford in their Premier League opener today. Big-spending Spurs have made waves in the transfer market, splashing £237million on new players this summer.
But the real test comes this evening with a tricky first game in store at the Gtech Community Stadium. After successive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League, Spurs are determined to embark on a successful new era under Roberto De Zerbi.
Injury concerns ahead of opener
Familiar injury issues have continued to hamper their preparations for the campaign, however, leaving De Zerbi to sweat over the fitness of a number of key first-team stars. New captain Micky van de Ven did not play at all during pre-season after returning from extended leave following the World Cup and De Zerbi confirmed on Friday that he would not be in the squad to face Brentford, either.
De Zerbi also said vice-skipper Porro would not be involved and that Pape Matar Sarr has picked up a hamstring injury that is not thought to be serious but will keep him out this weekend.
Positive news for Spurs squad
There was some positive news, with Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Mateus Fernandes all training ahead of Spurs’ trip across the capital. De Zerbi said they would be “inside”, indicating they might all make the squad. Udogie, though, remains a doubt, having not played during pre-season as De Zerbi carefully manages his minutes after a succession of muscular issues.
Maddison, also part of Tottenham’s new five-man leadership group alongside Van de Ven, Porro, Ben Davies and Archie Gray, is another player seeing his minutes managed. The England midfielder is still working his way back to full fitness after returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the end of last season. Although he has been pictured in training and started a behind-closed-doors friendly against Hoffenheim last Sunday, his involvement against Brentford is also in doubt.
Striker and midfield concerns
Striker Dominic Solanke is another doubt for Saturday, having been used sparingly in pre-season. The 28-year-old missed the majority of last season with a recurring ankle injury and was absent from the relegation run-in due to a hamstring problem. Summer arrival Fernandes, signed from West Ham for £85m, has been struggling with a calf issue since linking up with Spurs on their pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia.
It is hoped that he will be available for selection against Brentford, but De Zerbi has so far opted to be cautious with Spurs’ injured players in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last season’s crisis. That means winger Mohammed Kudus, who has returned to training but not played a single minute since January, is unlikely to be risked as he continues his recovery from a serious quad injury.
Predicted lineup and absentees
Without Kudus in the team, De Zerbi may hand Mikey Moore an opportunity on the right wing. Moore is expected to leave Spurs on loan before the transfer deadline, but not until they can bring in their own attacking targets. Their drawn-out pursuit of Savinho has dragged on all summer, though Spurs now have an agreement with Manchester City for the Brazilian winger, who won’t sign in time to play on Saturday.
Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Dejan Kulusevski remain long-term absentees. Predicted Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Senesi, Robertson; Fernandes, Tonali; Moore, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison. Injured: Simons, Odobert, Porro, Kulusevski, Van de Ven, Kudus, Sarr. Doubts: Maddison, Solanke, Udogie. Time and date: 5.30pm BST on Saturday August 22, 2026. Venue: Gtech Community Stadium. How to watch: Sky Sports.
