Roberto De Zerbi will oversee his third game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday, and securing a first victory is now essential as they head to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Molineux has proven to be a difficult venue for Spurs in recent years. Their last league win there dates back to a narrow 1-0 triumph in August 2021, while their most recent victory over Wolves anywhere came the following year. Sitting 18th in the table and two points adrift of safety with only five games remaining, Tottenham must end that poor run this weekend.
Spurs reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor were asked to select the lineup they believe De Zerbi should go with on Saturday.
Alasdair Gold – Tottenham correspondent
Destiny Udogie is expected to miss out based on current updates, leaving De Zerbi to decide between Djed Spence and 19-year-old Souza for the left-back role.
Souza gained valuable experience in a relegation battle with Santos last season but has not featured for over a month and was absent from De Zerbi’s first two matchday squads.
Gold would largely keep the side that impressed against Brighton, including the midfield duo of Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma, who are starting together again for the first time since the Europa League final in Bilbao nearly a year ago.
His only tweak would be introducing Mathys Tel ahead of Randal Kolo Muani, citing Tel’s energy and creativity as key attributes for the clash.
Gold’s XI:
Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Tel, Gallagher, Xavi; Solanke.
Ryan Taylor – Sports reporter
Taylor also views Udogie’s absence as a setback after his strong display against Brighton, highlighting the value of his attacking runs and crossing ability.
He would opt for Spence over Souza due to the latter’s lack of recent minutes. Pedro Porro remains at right-back, with Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven forming the centre-back pairing.
Like Gold, Taylor would replace Kolo Muani with Tel, noting that while neither is a natural winger, Tel offers more directness and the ability to beat defenders and create from wide areas.
Xavi Simons would operate from the left but drift centrally, while Conor Gallagher provides pressing support behind Dominic Solanke. In goal, Antonin Kinsky keeps his place despite Guglielmo Vicario nearing a return.
Taylor’s XI:
Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Tel, Gallagher, Xavi; Solanke.
