Tottenham Hotspur conclude their pre-season schedule with two friendlies against Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. The first takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today, with a second behind-closed-doors match following at Hotspur Way less than 24 hours later.
Rotated squads expected
Manager Roberto De Zerbi is likely to field two entirely different starting lineups across the two games. Players who see little or no action on Saturday are expected to feature on Sunday as the squad builds fitness ahead of the Premier League season starting next weekend.
Tottenham remain unbeaten in pre-season but were held to a 1-1 draw by Getafe last Saturday in a 70-minute behind-closed-doors friendly. Several players not involved that day, including new signings Mateus Fernandes and Marcos Senesi, took part in an in-house friendly later on.
Key absentees
Despite the two matches, notable absentees from both teams will concern De Zerbi. James Maddison, a candidate for the captaincy once Cristian Romero departs for Atletico Madrid, has yet to feature in pre-season as he recovers from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for most of last season.
Micky van de Ven, another captaincy contender who recently signed a new contract, has also been left out since returning from extended leave after the World Cup. Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie are having their minutes managed after injury-hit seasons.
World Cup winner Pedro Porro is expected to be available after receiving a guard of honour on his return to the training ground this week. He is set to be first-choice right-back, with Djed Spence set to leave for Inter Milan. Spence and Romero, who is undergoing a medical in Madrid ahead of his Atletico move, are both expected to miss the Hoffenheim games.
Kudus close to return
Mohammed Kudus could play for the first time since January after returning to full-team training following a serious quad injury. His return is being managed, with De Zerbi admitting the club initially rushed him back before he suffered a setback in April. He is said to be nearing full fitness, a boost to Spurs' attacking options.
Predicted Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Gray, Van Hecke, Senesi, Robertson, Fernandes, Tonali, Maddison, Kudus, Richarlison, Tel.
Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday August 15, 2026. Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. How to watch: SPURSPLAY.
