Tottenham kick off their 2026/27 season with a short trip to face Brentford. After a disappointing last campaign, Spurs have overhauled their squad and will embark on their first full season under Roberto De Zerbi.
Spurs head into the Premier League season after a successful pre-season, finishing without a defeat. The club has been busy in the transfer market over the summer, adding six new faces to the squad and spending over £200 million.
For De Zerbi, this match marks his first true test after a full pre-season with the team. He took charge of Tottenham during the last season, initially focusing on securing their Premier League status.
Brentford, meanwhile, missed out on European competition last season by a narrow goal difference. Under the management of Keith Andrews, they will aim to leverage home advantage and make life difficult for their opponents.
Brentford news
The home side will be without Yegor Yarmolyuk and Sepp van den Berg for this clash. However, despite summer speculation over a potential exit, Igor Thiago has remained in the squad, expected to lead the attack.
Flanking the Brazilian could be Kevin Schade and Dango Ouattara, while newcomer Sangare is poised for his debut in central midfield.
Andrews has also gained additional options from summer signings to bolster the squad during the game. Experienced duo Callum Wilson and Jaidon Anthony have joined Brentford to provide depth.
Expected Brentford lineup: Kelleher — Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter — Sangare, Janelt — Ouattara, Jensen, Schade — Igor Thiago.
Tottenham news
De Zerbi will have more questions to answer before the opening round. Mickey van de Ven missed pre-season training due to additional rest after the World Cup, and Pedro Porro joined the squad later than most.
Injuries have also sidelined Mohammed Kudus and Destiny Udogie, while Matheus Fernandes remains a doubt following recent issues.
With Cristian Romero's departure to Atletico, Archie Gray could be handed the captain's armband for the opening match. There’s also a chance for Mikey Moore, who scored twice during pre-season, to feature in attack.
Expected Tottenham lineup: Kinski — Gray, Van Hecke, Senesi, Robertson — Tonali, Bergvall — Moore, Gallagher, Tell — Richarlison.
The match is set to take place at the Gtech Community Stadium on August 22, kicking off at 19:30 Moscow time.
For Tottenham, this fixture serves as a significant litmus test for De Zerbi's revamped side: a strong pre-season and hefty investments have raised expectations after a tough previous season.
