Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi was unequivocal about the importance of Saturday's encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers, reminding everyone that the club is still fighting to avoid sharing the same relegation destiny as the Wolves. The Spurs are currently perched in the lower reaches of the Premier League table, trailing 17th‑placed West Ham United by two points and lagging eight points behind 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. Although De Zerbi’s side managed to scrape a point in his first home match in charge, a 1-1 draw with Brighton in which they led twice, Tottenham have yet to notch their first league victory of the 2025‑26 campaign.
With only five fixtures remaining, the Italian coach warned that his players must remain fully aware of the precarious position they occupy. "I don’t want to create extra pressure, but we must recognise the reality of the situation," De Zerbi said. "We cannot ignore the table or the fact that we need to win.
What we have done so far simply isn’t enough. If we can secure three points at Wolves, the battle isn’t over, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that there are still four matches left for Spurs to turn their fortunes around. "We deserve to win games.
I knew Brighton were one of the strongest sides in the league and after Chelsea everyone understood the challenge. We played well but were unlucky." De Zerbi also commented on the difficulty of the upcoming trip, noting that Wolves are already confirmed relegated and therefore have "nothing to lose".
"That makes it a tough game for us because they will play with freedom and intensity. We have to stay composed and not let pressure get to our heads," he explained. The manager emphasized his role in preparing the squad: "My job is to get the team ready in the best possible way, but ultimately it’s about playing football. These are talented players with important qualities, and they can perform without overthinking." James Maddison will travel to Molineux with the squad, but De Zerbi confirmed that the England midfielder is still not fully fit to start.
Maddison, who suffered an ACL rupture during pre‑season, was listed on the bench for the Brighton draw, marking his first involvement with the first‑team squad since his injury. The 29‑year‑old has not featured in a Premier League match for over a year. When asked about Maddison’s status, De Zerbi replied, "Maddison is not available yet. He felt some pain this week, but it’s not a serious issue.
He will travel with us tomorrow because he is an important figure in the dressing room. Whether he plays or not, his presence is valuable.
He brings leadership and a positive attitude that lifts his teammates." In addition to Maddison, Tottenham will be missing several other key players due to injuries. Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined, adding to an already long list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. "Udogie has a problem," De Zerbi said.
"I don’t think he can play tomorrow. He had a great first half against Brighton, but the injury is concerning. We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie will be fit for the Villa Park match.
It’s not a major injury, but it does affect us because he is a crucial player." He also explained Sarr’s absence: "Sarr felt pain in his shoulder and didn’t train with the group this week, so he won’t travel to Wolves. Vicario is also unavailable at the moment, but I expect him back with the squad on Monday. Antonin Kinsky is playing very well, and I hope Vicario returns in top physical condition because he is another important piece for us." Beyond the on‑field concerns, Tottenham have announced that the players will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the match at Wolves. The decision follows an incident in which defender Kevin Danso was subjected to online racist abuse after the Brighton draw.
The club issued a statement condemning the abuse and confirming that they have reported the offending content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts. Speaking about the incident, De Zerbi expressed his frustration: "I was very annoyed by the abuse directed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game and one mistake does not define him. What matters is his behaviour on the pitch.
He will be with us next season because he is a good person and we are lucky to have him." Tottenham’s anti‑racism message underscores the club’s broader commitment to tackling discrimination in football. The team hopes the visible stand will send a clear signal that any form of racial abuse will be met with the strongest possible action. For fans eager to follow the clash, highlights will be available on the Sky Sports app from 5.15 pm on Saturday, and there is also a promotional Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £250,000.
With the relegation battle hanging in the balance, the Wolves‑Spurs game promises high stakes, intense emotions, and a decisive test of De Zerby’s tactical acumen and the squad’s resilience.