Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham Debut: Expectations and Predicted Lineup

Roberto De Zerbi embodies the Tottenham motto 'To Dare is To Do' like no other manager. With over a week of working with his new squad, he has a clear understanding of the challenges ahead to keep the club in the Premier League. Despite the attractive job on the surface, the players are currently low on confidence and plagued by injuries, as seen during Igor Tudor's tenure. However, De Zerbi is confident that with his talent and the remaining squad, relegation can be avoided. The players have responded positively to his arrival, enjoying the initial training sessions under the Italian coach. This positivity will be put to the test in De Zerbi's first game against Sunderland on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. With Tottenham in the relegation zone, a win is crucial to move out of the bottom three. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is out due to hernia surgery, so Antonin Kinsky will start, playing for the first time since his infamous substitution in the Champions League. De Zerbi is likely to opt for a back four consisting of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie, possibly favoring his fellow countryman over Djed Spence at left-back. The midfield pairing will be an interesting decision, with Lucas Bergvall potentially benefiting from De Zerbi's appointment and starting alongside Archie Gray, who was the standout player under Tudor. Alternatively, De Zerbi might choose the experienced Joao Palhinha, known for his tackling prowess. For the front four in a 4-2-3-1 setup, Xavi Simons could start in the No. 10 role, where he is more effective, given the lack of creativity and the absence of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison. Mathys Tel hopes to recover from his injury to start on the right, or Randal Kolo Muani could fill this position. Richarlison should start on the opposite side, with Dominic Solanke up front despite a disappointing international break. De Zerbi aims to simplify the game and tactics to maximize short-term returns, focusing on boosting player confidence. A first league win of 2026 would significantly improve the team's morale. With defenders Romero and Van de Ven in the right mindset, Spurs have a strong chance of putting together a run of wins. De Zerbi's primary goal is Premier League survival, and achieving this will allow for further investigations and reviews. The passionate Italian is now responsible for preventing Tottenham's relegation, making for an exciting and potentially transformative period.