Tottenham Hotspur Fight to Avoid Relegation Under New Boss Roberto de Zerbi
As the 2025‑26 Premier League season enters its final stretch, Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in a precarious position. The club sits 18th in the table with 31 points from 33 matches and has not recorded a league victory so far in the 2026 calendar year. A hard‑fought 2‑2 draw at home against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday gave manager Roberto de Zerbi a glimpse of the resilience he believes can turn the campaign around.
Current Situation and the Mathematics of Survival
According to the official Premier League standings, Tottenham are level on points with Nottingham Forest and just ahead of West Ham United, both of whom have fixtures that could push them above Spurs. If Forest defeat Burnley and West Ham overcome Crystal Palace, Tottenham would drop into the relegation zone.
To stay in the top flight, the club must win each of its remaining five matches. The upcoming fixtures are:
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (away)
- Manchester City (home)
- Leicester City (away)
- Chelsea (home)
- Newcastle United (away)
Collecting the maximum 15 points would lift Tottenham to 46 points, a total that has historically been enough to avoid the drop in recent seasons.
De Zerbi’s Message: Mentality Over Misfortune
Speaking to reporters after the Brighton draw, the Italian head coach emphasized the importance of a positive mindset.
“It’s not finished yet, it’s tough. We still have five games left. Now it’s hard to understand my words, but if you watch the players and analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row. I don’t want to be arrogant because I’m not arrogant, especially not now, but we have the quality enough to fight and win games in a row.”
De Zerbi, who took over after the departures of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, highlighted the “blood and character” displayed by the squad against Brighton. He urged the players to bring the same intensity to training on Monday afternoon, warning against negativity:
“I don’t want to work with sad people, with negative people. They have to believe in me. If I’m here it’s because I’m confident that I’ll stay in the Premier League next season.”
Key Personnel Updates
The return of Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur provided a much‑needed boost in midfield, offering both defensive cover and progressive passing. Conversely, playmaker James Maddison remained on the bench, continuing his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury sustained earlier in the season.
These squad developments, combined with de Zerbi’s tactical adjustments, have begun to shape a more cohesive unit, though consistency remains elusive.
Looking Ahead: What the Data Suggests
Historical Premier League data shows that teams needing to win all of their final five games to avoid relegation have succeeded in approximately 38 % of cases since the 2000‑01 season (source: Premier League archives). While the odds are challenging, Tottenham’s recent performances indicate an upward trend in expected goals (xG) and defensive actions per 90 minutes, suggesting the underlying metrics are improving.
Supporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium refrained from the usual boos after the Brighton draw, a sign that the fan base is willing to back the new project if the team shows fight and commitment.
Conclusion
Tottenham Hotspur’s battle to stay in the Premier League hinges on converting belief into points over the next five fixtures. With Roberto de Zerbi instilling a mentality of resilience, the return of key players, and a clear path outlined by the club’s current standing, the North London side still possesses a fighting chance to avoid the drop that would mark their first relegation since 1977.
