Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi was blunt about the stakes of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, emphasizing that while he does not wish to overload his squad with anxiety, the reality of their league position demands a win. The North London side are still fighting to avoid the fate that befell their rivals last season, and the Wolves fixture represents a pivotal moment in their survival bid. At the time of the statement, Spurs were entrenched in the relegation zone, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑place Nottingham Forest.
Their most recent match, a 5-0 demolition of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, offered a brief morale boost but did little to lift them out of danger. Earlier in the week, De Zerbi's men managed only a point from a home draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, despite leading twice during the game. That result meant Tottenham were still searching for their first league victory of the 2026 campaign. With five fixtures remaining, De Zerbi warned his players not to lose sight of the situation.
"I don't want to put pressure on the squad, but we have to understand where we stand," he said. "We cannot ignore the table, we cannot ignore the need to win.
What we have done so far is simply not enough. If we take three points at Wolves, the battle is not over, but it puts us in a much stronger position." He added that the team deserves to win games and that the Brighton draw, while a respectable performance against one of the league's stronger sides, was ultimately unlucky.
"It wasn't an easy match," De Zerbi noted, referring to the upcoming trip to a Wolverhampton side already condemned to relegation. "They have nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous.
We have to play our football without feeling the weight of the occasion too much." De Zerbi stressed his role is to prepare the squad as thoroughly as possible and then let the players express themselves on the pitch. "These are very talented individuals with important qualities," he said.
"They can play without overthinking, provided we keep the pressure manageable." In terms of personnel, James Maddison will travel with the squad to Wolverhampton but remains unavailable for selection. The England midfielder, who suffered an ACL injury during pre‑season, was named on the bench for the Brighton game but has not featured in a competitive match for a year. De Zerbi explained, "Maddison still feels some discomfort.
It's not a serious issue, but he is not fit to play yet. His presence is valuable for morale and leadership, even if he cannot contribute on the field." Tottenham's injury list continues to grow.
Defender Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all doubtful or ruled out. Captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski are also sidelined. De Zerbi confirmed Udogie's situation, saying, "He had a strong first half against Brighton but I don't think he'll be fit for tomorrow. We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie recovers for the Villa Park match." Sarr, who is dealing with shoulder pain, will miss the Wolves trip, while Vicario is expected to return to training next Monday after a brief absence.
"Antonin Kinsky is performing well," De Zerbi added, expressing optimism that Vicario will be back in top physical condition soon. Beyond the on‑field concerns, Tottenham have announced they will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves game. This gesture follows an incident in which Kevin Danso endured online racist abuse after the Brighton draw.
The club has reported the offending content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts. De Zerbi addressed the matter in his press conference, stating, "I was very upset by the abuse directed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game, and no single mistake should invite such hatred. He will be with us next season; he's a good person and an important part of the squad." The match will be broadcast live, with highlights available on the Sky Sports app from 5:15 pm on Saturday.
Fans can also participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, entering for free. As the season draws to a close, every point becomes crucial, and De Zerbi hopes his side can rise to the occasion at Molineux, secure three points, and keep their Premier League hopes alive.