How Tottenham are expected to line up for first 2026/27 Premier League match

Roberto De Zerbi will likely field a £185million midfield duo for Tottenham’s opening match of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

Spurs head to the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening to face Brentford in their top-flight opener following an intensive pre-season schedule.

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The Lilywhites have undertaken a squad overhaul this summer, spending £237million to enable the Italian boss to build a strong new spine at the north London club.

Spurs supporters will be desperately hoping their side are entering a fresh era after fighting relegation over the last two campaigns.

Despite an unbeaten pre-season run, fitness issues continue to shadow Spurs even after the arrival of five high-profile signings.

James Madison is still managing his anterior cruciate ligament injury, while doubts remain around Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven after neither featured for a single minute of football during pre-season.

Dominic Solanke is also a major doubt for the opening match against Brentford, with De Zerbi under no pressure to rush the striker back into his matchday squad prematurely.

talkSPORT.com has taken a look at how they could line up for the match at the Gtech Community Stadium this Saturday.

How will Tottenham line up against Brentford?

One position that is locked in for Spurs is in goal with Guglielmo Vicario‘s set to depart on loan to Juventus.

Antonin Kinsky enters the new campaign as the undisputed No.1 after his heroics helped keep the club in the top-flight last term, earning him a new five-year contract over the summer.

However, the rest of the team remains fluid following a frantic transfer window at White Hart Lane.

In defence, Djed Spence recently sealed a £30m move to Inter Milan.

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That leaves Pedro Porro as the primary right-back choice but the Spaniard only returned to training last week following his World Cup triumph with Spain.

That leaves Archie Gray as the most natural deputy if Porro is deemed unready.

Van de Ven has not played of minute of football since returning from duty with the Dutch national team, despite no confirmation of an injury.

Consequently, a new central defensive pairing of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke looks poised to make their competitive debut, with the duo being two of the classiest ball-playing centre-backs in English football.

At left back, Andy Robertson’s veteran leadership will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the Lilywhites, after Destiny Udogie has been sidelined for the majority of pre-season.

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The £185million midfield unit

Tottenham’s midfield boasts a fresh look this season, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes aiming to revolutionise De Zerbi’s system.

However, there is hesitation on whether to start former West Ham midfielder Fernandes after he has been described to have calf fatigue.

De Zerbi may not want to risk the £85m player in the first clash of the campaign against Brentford.

Players definitely ruled out of the trip to west London include Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, and Dejan Kulusevski as they continue their respective recoveries from long-term injuries.

With Solanke unlikely to be fit to start, Richarlison looks set to lead the line as the only fully fit senior striker, with Mathys Tel operating on the left wing to link up with his Brazilian teammate.

Youngster Mikey Moore was expected to move on loan but Spurs remain thin on the right flank despite ongoing links to Manchester City‘s Savinho.

While a deal for the Brazilian winger remains likely after he was omitted from City’s Community Shield squad, doubts persist over whether the 22-year-old could feature so soon even if a deal is finalized before kickoff.

De Zerbi may ultimately delay Moore’s loan exit after the teenager impressed during pre-season, most notably netting a brace in a 3-0 victory over Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Above all, the Italian manager will be desperate to improve the north London outfit’s goal output after Spurs managed just 48 goals in 38 league matches during the 2025/26 campaign.