Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has been unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, emphasizing that his side must secure a win if they hope to escape the relegation battle. The Spurs are currently entrenched in the bottom half of the Premier League table, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. This defeat has left the club in a precarious position with only five matches remaining in the campaign.
Under De Zerbi’s leadership, Tottenham have managed just a single point from a home draw against Brighton, a game in which they held the lead on two separate occasions before ultimately settling for a stalemate. Despite the modest improvement, the team has yet to record its first league victory of the 2025‑26 season. With the clock ticking, De Zerbi warned his players not to lose sight of the reality of their situation. "I don’t want to create additional pressure, but we have to be fully aware of where we stand," De Zerbi said in a pre‑match press conference.
"We cannot ignore the league table; we must remember that we need to win. What we have done so far is simply not enough. If we can take three points at Wolves, the battle isn’t over yet." He went on to explain that there are four games left after the Wolves encounter, and Spurs must seize every opportunity to collect points. "We deserve to win games," he added.
"I knew Brighton were one of the strongest sides in the league, and after Chelsea everyone understood the quality we possess. We played well but were unlucky." De Zerbi also addressed the difficulty of the forthcoming match, noting that Wolves have already been relegated and therefore have nothing to lose.
"It’s not an easy game," he said. "The last three home matches for Wolves have been a draw with Arsenal and victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Their lack of pressure could make them very dangerous, so we must stay composed and not let the occasion overwhelm us." The manager stressed his own role in preparing the team: "My job is to set up the match as best as possible and then let the players express themselves on the pitch. These are talented individuals with important qualities, and they can play without overthinking." In addition to tactical considerations, De Zerbi gave an update on the fitness of key midfielder James Maddison. Maddison, who has been sidelined since a pre‑season ACL injury, was named on the bench for the Brighton game, marking his first inclusion since his long‑term lay‑off. De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison will travel to Wolverhampton but remains uncertain about his readiness to feature.
"Maddison is still not fully fit," De Zerbi explained. "He felt some discomfort this week, but it isn’t a serious issue.
He will be with us for the match because his presence is vital, whether he plays or not. His leadership and positive attitude are important for the dressing room." Injury woes continue to plague Tottenham, with several players ruled out for the Wolves fixture.
Defender Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all unavailable, adding to a growing list that already includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. "Udogie suffered a problem after the first half against Brighton and is unlikely to play tomorrow," De Zerbi said.
"He’s a crucial player for us, but we have alternatives like Djed Spence and Souza who can step in." Regarding Sarr, the manager confirmed a shoulder injury that kept the midfielder out of training this week. "He felt pain in his shoulder and has not been able to work with the group, so he will miss the Wolves game," De Zerbi noted. Vicario, the club’s third‑choice keeper, is also sidelined but is expected to return to full training on Monday. Despite the setbacks, De Zerbi praised the performances of other squad members, highlighting the form of Antonin Kinsky as a positive sign for the team’s depth.
Beyond the on‑field issues, Tottenham have taken a stand against racism ahead of the match. The club announced that players will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" in response to online abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw.
Tottenham have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, leading to the removal and banning of offending accounts. De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the incident, saying, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game, and I do not consider a single mistake to be more important than the behaviour off the pitch. Kevin is a good guy and will be with us next season." The club’s anti‑racism message underscores its commitment to creating a safe environment for players and fans alike.
Spurs hope that the visible stance will send a clear signal that any form of discrimination will be met with the strongest possible action. Fans can watch the Wolves versus Tottenham match live on the Sky Sports app, with highlights available from 5.15 pm on Saturday. The fixture also offers a chance for viewers to enter the Super 6 competition, where a £250,000 prize pool is up for grabs.
In summary, De Zerbi’s message to his squad is clear: acknowledge the pressure, stay focused on the task at hand, and seize the opportunity to earn three points at Wolverhampton. With the relegation battle hanging in the balance, every decision, every injury update, and every moment of concentration will be pivotal as Tottenham strive to secure their Premier League status for another season.