Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Roberto De Zerbi, was unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash at Wolves as his side continues to fight for survival in the Premier League. The Spurs are entrenched in the relegation battle, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a 5‑0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. Despite having secured their first point under De Zerbi’s tenure with a hard‑fought draw against Brighton—where they led twice before ultimately sharing the spoils—Tottenham have yet to register a league win in the 2026 campaign. With only five fixtures remaining, the pressure is mounting, and the Italian coach emphasized that his players must remain fully aware of the precarious situation they find themselves in.
"I don’t want to create extra pressure, but we have to recognise where we stand," De Zerbi said in the post‑match press conference. "We cannot ignore the table; we cannot forget that we need to win. What we have done so far simply isn’t enough.
If we manage to win at Wolves, the season isn’t over yet, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that there are still four games left after the Wolves encounter, and Spurs deserve to claim points. "Brighton are one of the best sides in the league, and after Chelsea everyone understood the quality we were up against.
We played well but were unlucky. The match against Wolves will be tough because they have already been relegated and have nothing to lose. We must play our football without being weighed down by pressure." De Zerbi explained his role as preparing the team as thoroughly as possible while allowing the players to express themselves on the pitch.
"These are very talented individuals with important qualities. They can perform without overthinking if we give them the right framework." Injury concerns continue to plague the squad.
James Maddison will travel to Molineux with his teammates, but the England midfielder is still not match‑fit. He returned to the matchday squad as an unused substitute against Brighton after a long lay‑off caused by an ACL injury suffered in pre‑season.
Maddison has not featured in a Premier League game for a year. When asked about Maddison’s status, De Zerbi said, "Maddison is not fully available yet.
He felt some pain this week, but it’s not serious. He will travel with us tomorrow because his presence is important, whether he plays or not. He brings leadership and a positive attitude to the dressing room, which is vital for the team." The injury list remains extensive.
Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined, joining captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski among others. Regarding Udogie, De Zerbi noted, "He had a great first half against Brighton, but I don’t think he will be fit for tomorrow. It’s a minor injury, but he is a crucial player for us, and I hope he recovers in time for the Villa Park match." Sarr, who suffered a shoulder problem, will miss the Wolves trip, while Vicario is also unavailable but is expected to return to training next Monday. "Sarr felt pain in his shoulder and hasn’t been training with the group this week," De Zerbi explained.
"Vicario is not fit yet; we hope he can rejoin us on Monday in top condition. Antonin Kinsky is playing really well, and his form gives us confidence." Beyond the tactical and medical aspects, Tottenham have announced that the players will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves fixture.
This decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club released a statement condemning the abuse and confirming that all offending content has been reported to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts. De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the abuse aimed at Danso, saying, "I was very annoyed by the abuse directed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game, and one mistake does not define a player.
What matters is the behaviour on the pitch. He will be with us next season because he is a good guy and we are lucky to have him." Looking ahead, Tottenham must treat the Wolves match as a potential turning point. A victory would not only close the gap to safety but also provide a morale boost for a squad that has struggled to find consistency. The team’s tactical setup will likely focus on defensive solidity while seeking opportunities to exploit Wolves’ lack of motivation after their relegation confirmation.
The broader context of the Premier League table underscores the urgency. West Ham sit just above the drop zone, while Nottingham Forest remain precariously close. Tottenham’s remaining fixtures include tough opponents, making every point critical. De Zerbi’s message to his players is clear: stay focused, respect the competition, and play with confidence, but without the burden of excessive pressure.
Fans can watch the live highlights of the Wolves versus Tottenham match on the Sky Sports app from 5:15 pm on Saturday, and the club encourages supporters to engage with the anti‑racism campaign by sharing the message on social media. The season’s final stretch promises high drama, and Spurs will need every ounce of resilience, tactical acumen, and squad depth to secure the points required for survival.