Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Roberto De Zerbi, was unequivocal about the importance of Saturday’s clash at Wolves as his side continues to fight to avoid the same fate that befell them last season. The Spurs are entrenched in the relegation battle, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑place Nottingham Forest after a dominant 5‑0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night.
Although De Zerbi’s men managed to secure their first point under the Italian coach with a hard‑fought draw against Brighton – a game in which they led twice before finally settling for a stalemate – they have yet to notch a league win in the 2026 campaign. With only five fixtures remaining, the manager stressed that his squad must remain fully aware of the precarious position they occupy.
"I don’t want to create extra pressure, but we have to understand the reality of the situation," De Zerbi told reporters. "We cannot ignore the table, we cannot ignore the fact that we need to win.
What we have done so far is simply not enough. If we win at Wolves, the battle is not over, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that there are still four games left for Spurs to turn the tide, and that the team deserves victories. "After Chelsea, everyone understood the quality of Brighton – they are one of the best sides in the league.
We played well but were unlucky. It wasn’t an easy match," he said, referring to the earlier encounter.
"Now we travel to a Wolves side that have already been relegated, which makes it a tough game because they have nothing to lose. We must play without the weight of too much pressure." De Zerbi 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 players are talented, they have key attributes, and they can perform without overthinking it." James Maddison will travel to Molineux with his teammates, but the England midfielder is still not match‑fit, De Zerbi confirmed.
Maddison made a long‑awaited return to the match‑day squad when he was named on the bench for the Brighton draw, but he has not featured since pre‑season when he suffered an ACL injury. The 29‑year‑old has not played a Premier League minute in a year. When asked about Maddison’s status, the manager replied, "Maddison isn’t fully available yet. He’s feeling some pain, especially this week, but it’s not a serious issue.
He will travel with us tomorrow because his presence is important. Whether he plays or not doesn’t change the plan – it would be great if he does, but his leadership and positivity are valuable in the dressing room regardless.
I want to see positive people, and he is crucial for his teammates." Spurs will also be missing Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who have joined an already extensive injury list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski, among others. "Udogie has a problem," De Zerbi said.
"I don’t think he can play tomorrow. He had a great first half and second half against Brighton, but the first half was especially impressive.
We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie will be fit for the Villa Park game. It’s not a critical injury – it can happen – but he is a vital player for us." He added that Sarr will also miss the Wolves trip, while Vicario is unavailable but expected to return to the squad next Monday.
"Sarr felt a shoulder pain and didn’t train with the group this week, so he can’t travel. Vicario is also out, but I hope he can start with me on Monday. Antonin Kinsky is playing really well, and I hope Vicario returns in top physical condition because he is another key player for us." In a show of solidarity against discrimination, Tottenham have announced that they will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the decisive match at Wolves. The decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw.
The club issued a statement declaring that any tolerance of racial abuse will be met with the strongest possible action. They have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of the offending accounts.
Speaking about the incident, De Zerbi expressed his frustration: "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game. I don’t consider one mistake on the pitch to be that important – it’s the behaviour off it that matters. He will be with us next season because he’s a good guy and we’re lucky to have him." Fans can watch highlights of the Wolves‑vs‑Tottenham encounter on the Sky Sports app from 5.15 pm on Saturday.
Additionally, the club is promoting a Super 6 competition where participants can win up to £250,000, with free entry available. The upcoming match represents a crucial moment for Spurs; a win could provide the momentum needed to climb out of the relegation zone, while a loss would deepen the crisis as the season draws to a close.