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Igor Tudor has reportedly lost respect from some sections of the Tottenham Hotspur dressing room for his treatment of the club’s goalkeepers yet is still expected to be in position for Sunday’s daunting Premier League trip to Liverpool.

Spurs teetered into what center back Micky van de Ven worryingly described as “doomsday scenario” after a 5–2 mauling at the hands of Atlético Madrid consigned the club to their first ever sequence of six straight defeats. Tudor has overseen the past four of those since replacing Thomas Frank but the prospect of the Croatian coach seeing out a contract which lasts until the end of the season has come under immense scrutiny.

Before a ball had even been kicked in Tottenham’s Champions League clash with Atlético on Tuesday night, Tudor had already “shocked” some members of his squad by dropping first-choice goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, according to The Times.

Antonin Kinsky rapidly undermined the decision to hand him his Champions League debut with a ruinous opening quarter of an hour. The Czech youngster shipped three goals, two of which were a consequence of his own kicking blunders, before getting hooked in the 17th minute.

Tudor’s refusal to even acknowledge Kinsky upon his substitution is also thought to have been questioned by his teammates. The goalkeeper is expected to go in search of a Spurs departure this summer.

The exit door at Tottenham will surely be used by Tudor in the near future. However, multiple reports claim that no decision is planned—just yet.

Tudor to ‘Fight on’ at Tottenham for At Least One More Game

Despite the mounting pressure and dwindling faith from his playing staff, Tudor is set to “fight on” for Spurs against Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday, per The Guardian. Yet, that report is far from optimistic about the manager’s chances of still being in the dugout for the almighty relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest one week later.

Tottenham CEO Vinai Venkatesham opened up a dialogue with Tudor and his staff on Wednesday morning and is expected to leave the self-styled firefighter in the burning building for Friday’s prematch media duties at the very least, according to the Daily Mail.

Rather than any sign of encouragement, this stay of execution is simply the consequence of a lack of alternatives.

Tudor’s arrival came with a number of caveats yet he hardly beat out a swollen pool of obvious talent. While the likes of Roberto De Zerbi and Xabi Alonso appear out of reach for a side currently one point above the relegation zone, they have been left to consider a jumbled medley of candidates. Sean Dyche, freshly fired by Nottingham Forest, is the leading favorite to replace Tudor.

Harry Redknapp revealed this week that he has received no contact from Tottenham’s board but he did have a half-hour phone call with former executive chairman Daniel Levy.

The controversial figure was “marched out” of his position of influence at the start of the season yet still retains more than 29% of the club’s shares. According to Redknapp, the 79-year-old whose last job in management was in 2017 (his last Premier League posting came two years before that), he would have been Levy’s pick as Spurs boss.

“He did say to me, ‘Look, if I was there now, I would definitely, and I’m not just saying it, I would bring you back into it to the end of the season.’ So it would have been interesting,” Redknapp told talkSPORT.

In-Fighting Within the Tottenham Squad—Report

Beyond the figure limply flailing his arms around in the technical area, there is reportedly a sense of ill-will which exists between certain Spurs players.

This in-fighting has been sparked by accusations that some players are “not motivated” to battle Tottenham to safety. The Athletic sensationally claim that one unnamed individual has already let it be known that he “is not too concerned” by the threat of relegation as his future lies at a different club.

It’s little surprise for players in these dire situations to harbor selfish ambitions, but the willingness to let such a stance be public knowledge shows quite how toxic it has become behind the scenes.

“Every­thing that could go wrong went wrong,” Van de Ven fretted at the final whistle on Tuesday, his phone permanently switched off to avoid the waves of social media backlash washing the team’s way. “For our goalkeeper it’s terrible as well. You don’t wish that on ­anyone.

“It’s just really tough, and now we have an important match this weekend I won’t be able to play in because I’m suspended. It’s a really terrible period. It’s really, really awful.”

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Atlético Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur meet in a competitive fixture for the first time since 1963 on Tuesday night, as their Champions League round of 16 tie gets underway.

While UEFA’s format changes are likely to facilitate more repeat fixtures during the latter stages of competitions, there’s no denying the novelty that surrounds this clash.

The Jekyll and Hyde-like Spurs are sliding towards their first top-flight relegation in almost 50 years, with Igor Tudor’s side, yet to win a Premier League game in 2026, just a point clear of the drop zone. However, as was the case last year, their European excursions have offered some respite from the domestic misery.

The now-departed Thomas Frank guided the Lilywhites to fourth in the league phase table, but their impressive continental campaign to date wasn’t exactly rewarded.

While any opponent would currently represent stiff opposition for this Tottenham team, taking on Diego Simeone’s Atléti is a particularly tough draw, despite the La Liga side’s inconsistency this season.

Los Rojiblancos have bewildered just as much as they’ve dazzled this season, requiring a playoff victory over Club Brugge to reach this stage. Tuesday’s hosts sit third in La Liga and have been cut adrift from the traditional top two.

Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham Score Prediction

Spurs to Keep Themselves in Tie

As bad as Tottenham has been this season, it’s found another gear under the lights in Europe. This group of players, seemingly uninterested in any domestic exploits, finds something deep within once the iconic anthem bellows out ahead of kick-off.

They don’t evolve into 2010–11 Barcelona, or anything of the sort, but we shouldn’t expect the same team that’s looked so broken in recent weeks to manifest in Madrid on Tuesday night.

Still, taking on Simeone’s Atléti on its own patch is seldom an easy task, and it’s unlikely that the Argentinian will allow any hints of complacency to permeate through his squad over the two legs.

Tottenham may be beaten (again), but it’ll be content with merely being in the tie, given its excellent home record in Europe.

Spurs resilience in Europe: Spurs were productive during the league phase, losing just once—to holders Paris Saint-Germain. While Frank has departed and Tudor is winless at the helm, the Lilywhites, dating back to the start of last season, have proven that they can stand up and be counted on European nights. They won’t be overawed by the occasion.

Free-scoring Atléti: This is not the stubborn Atléti team of years past. Simeone‘s side is a dynamic unit that’s blown plenty of opponents away this season at home, including Barcelona and Real Madrid. They’ve scored at least three times in four of their previous six games.

In-form Alexander Sørloth: Antoine Griezmann remains a handy contributor, while Julián Alvarez is a deadly sharpshooter, but Sørloth is the man Spurs need to contain on Tuesday. He bagged a hat-trick in the previous round, and has scored six five times in his past five appearances.

Prediction: Atlético Madrid 2–1 Tottenham

Atlético Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Tottenham

It’s a case of one in, one out for the hosts in midfield. While Pablo Barrios is expected to return to Simeone’s squad midweek after a spell out, Atléti has lost Rodrigo Mendoza to an ankle sprain.

Barrios is unlikely to come straight back into the starting lineup right away, with ex-Tottenham transfer target Johnny Cardoso set to partner veteran Koke.

Julián Alvarez will come back in and pair with the in-form Alexander Sørloth in attack, and Atléti has also been boosted by Antoine Griezmann’s decision to remain in Madrid until the end of the season amid Major League Soccer interest.

Atlético Madrid predicted lineup vs. Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman; Alvarez, Sørloth.

Tottenham Predicted Lineup vs. Atlético Madrid

An injury crisis has undoubtedly contributed to Tottenham’s woeful run of form, but, for the first time, Tudor will have Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven available on Tuesday night.

Both will appear in the manager’s preferred back three, with Kevin Danso likely to complete a drastically improved backline, on paper.

There are more issues in attack, with Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski among the players Spurs won’t have available for both legs. Midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur could return after the international break.

Djed Spence is a doubt with a calf injury, Radu Drăgușin is dealing with a knock, but Destiny Udogie could be back for the second leg in north London.

Tottenham predicted lineup vs. Atlético Madrid (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Palhinha, Gallagher, Spence; Simons, Tel; Solanke.

What Time Does Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham Kick Off?

Location: Madrid, Spain

Stadium: Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Date: Tuesday, March 10

Kick-off Time: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. GMT

Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (NED)

VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)

How to Watch Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham on TV, Live Stream

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Tottenham Hotspur are taking shots from all corners amid their current woes, with former Premier League manager Neil Warnock among the latest to have a dig.

The 77-year-old has just taken on his 21st managerial role in the sixth tier of English football with Torquay United on a caretaker basis, having had a brief stint on the south coast back in 1993.

His remarkable managerial career dates back to 1980 at Gainsborough Trinity, and he would later enjoy spells in the big time, having earned a record eighth promotion with Cardiff City in 2018.

The charismatic, quick-witted Warnock spent just a small percentage of his almost 50-year career on the touchline in the top-flight, and his latest stint at Torquay means he’ll be able to add to his record-breaking haul of 1,626 professional games managed in English football.

Never shy of self-belief, Warnock, speaking to The Guardian, joked, even after a 3–0 defeat to Ebbsfleet United, that instead of spending what will surely be his final managerial post in the National League South, he should’ve been offered the chance to get Spurs out of the mire.

“They should have took me at Tottenham, shouldn’t they?”

Igor Tudor Already on the Brink at Spurs

Warnock, of course, was not really a viable option for Spurs, despite the Englishman’s reputation as an excellent man-manager. He proved that he’s "still got it" at Huddersfield Town as recently as 2023, saving the Terriers from Championship relegation.

His track record in the Premier League is considerably less impressive, it must be said.

Nevertheless, instead of opting for a modern Warnock equivalent in Sean Dyche after parting ways with Thomas Frank last month, Tottenham went left-field by targeting a recommendation of former sporting director Fabio Paratici.

Igor Tudor has previously held impressive short-term posts at Udinese, Lazio, Hellas Verona and Marseille, and also oversaw an immediate improvement of fortunes at Juventus after Thiago Motta’s sacking last March.

Spurs hoped that, despite his Premier League inexperience, Tudor would be the fresh face capable of igniting a resurgence amid shock relegation fears. They had a five-point buffer upon his interim appointment, but are now just one point clear of the drop zone after three successive defeats.

With trips to Atlético Madrid and Liverpool upcoming, The Telegraph are among the media outlets to speculate Tudor won’t be around much longer. If the club do pull the plug, the question will be whether Spurs go for another interim, likely someone with a close association to the club, or Frank’s long-term successor.

Out-of-work Roberto De Zerbi has been mooted, but many supporters are holding out for Mauricio Pochettino, who won’t be available until after the World Cup due to his commitments with the USMNT.

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Tottenham Hotspur’s world is crumbling down, and they’re at risk of having their emerging superstar of a center back ripped away by Barcelona.

With first-team opportunities unlikely to fall Luka Vušković’s way in north London after his move from Hajduk Split was made official last year, the club opted to send the highly-regarded teenage defender on loan to newly-promoted Bundesliga side Hamburg for the 2025–26 campaign.

The young Croatian has since become as one of the revelations of the season in Germany, immediately garnering fan favorite status at the Volksparkstadion thanks to his standout defending and knack for pulling off the spectacular in the opposition’s box.

Vušković’s success has occurred while Tottenham have suffered mightily, at risk of falling into the second tier of English football for the first time since 1977. Should that scenario play out, they almost certainly won’t have Vušković’s any longer, given that Europe’s elite are already starting to circle.

Barcelona Set Sights on Tottenham Loanee

Barcelona are set to prioritize the signing of a new center back this summer, and Vušković is reportedly at the top of their wishlist.

According to Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Barça have already held talks with the 19-year-old’s representatives over a potential move.

The teenager is yet to kick a ball for Tottenham in a competitive fixture, after the club fended off the continent’s best to strike a deal with the then-16-year-old in 2023. Vušković was excellent in preseason and has performed like one of Europe’s premier young defenders in the Bundesliga.

While Vušković admired the project that was once proposed by Spurs and doesn’t have any regrets over choosing the north London club, the defender said in an interview with FlashScore earlier this year that he dreams of one day playing in Spain.

“To be honest, it wasn’t the Premier League I really wanted. I wasn’t thinking about playing in England,” he said.

“I was always only thinking about the Croatian league and Hajduk [Split], but of the European leagues, Spain was somehow the closest to me, and now the German league—it’s a really great league. One day I’d love to play in Spain, that’s it.”

Those comments undoubtedly would’ve pricked a few ears in Catalonia, with Barça smitten by Vušković and in need of an alternative option at the heart of their defence after opting against signing an Iñigo Martínez replacement last summer.

Vušković’s comfort on the left side of defense means he could operate as Pau Cubarsí’s long-term partner, although some may fear that the Croatian’s sub-optimal recovery speed would be exposed in Hansi Flick’s high-octane and aggressive framework.

Tottenham’s Inevitable Center Back Dilemma

Tottenham’s sole focus right now is staying in the Premier League. They’re now just a point above the relegation zone, and certainly don’t have momentum on their side.

Even if they survive, Spurs risk losing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven this summer. That, of course, would open the door for Vušković to emerge as the leading man of Tottenham’s defense.

However, clubs around Europe will undoubtedly test Spurs’ resolve with regard to their 19-year-old defensive sensation, who may be tempted to escape a messy situation in north London.

“I don’t know if Tottenham only see him as a future player or if they would be open to a transfer if they received a suitable offer,” Vušković’s father, Danijel, told Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti amid the current uncertainty.

However, instead of listening to offers for the teenager, Spurs, in desperate need of a culture shift, should rebuild with Vušković as one of the protagonists.

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Paul Winstanley is among a number of possible candidates Tottenham Hotspur are considering as they step up their search for a new sporting director, according to reports.

Following the departure of Thomas Frank, Spurs are looking for a long-term successor to replace the Dane, with Igor Tudor appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season as they look to ensure they avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The north London club saw Fabio Paratici depart for Fiorentina earlier this year, with current sporting director Johan Lange under-fire for Spurs' recruitment.

Now as reported by the Daily Telegraph, several names on Spurs' potential shortlist have started to emerge and it includes Chelsea's current co-sporting director, Paul Winstanley.

It's suggested checks have begun to have been made as Spurs begin plans for next season, with the idea that their next appointment has an influence on the identity of the club's next permanent head coach.

Winstanley currently shares the position with Laurence Stewart at Stamford Bridge. The pair were recently rewarded with contract extensions until 2031, so should Spurs make a concrete move, it will not be easy to prise him away from west to north London.

However, it's reported Winstanley is not expected to leave Chelsea should Spurs advance their interest.

Despite Chelsea's Club World Cup triumph last summer, Winstanley and other members of the hierarchy have come under scrutiny for the club's recruitment model which focuses on talented, highly-rated youngsters.

After joining Chelsea in November 2022, it's never been a quiet day in the recruitment department, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro and Alejandro Garnacho arriving in recent seasons.

Chelsea will be hoping to re-qualify for next season's Champions League to allow them to compete for a bigger pool of players in this summer's transfer market.

The club are looking to strengthen in multiple areas, including in midfield and the attack. Many departures are likely as they enter the market with a different head coach to last summer following Liam Rosenior's arrival to succeed Enzo Maresca.

Arsenal centre back Gabriel Magalhães posted a triumphant picture of himself basking in the glory of Sunday’s 4–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur and made a point of tagging Spurs striker Richarlison.

A matter of hours after recording Arsenal’s largest ever Premier League victory away to their north London rivals, Gabriel was in a boisterous mood. The Gunners had come into the derby with their title credentials under scrutiny thanks in no small part to the Brazilian’s error which presented Wolverhampton Wanderers with their equaliser last week.

Mikel Arteta’s table toppers were nervy for large swathes of the first half on Sunday. Gabriel was one of several players who cheaply ceded possession when faced with Tottenham’s reinvigorated press during the opening exchanges and the centre back could do nothing to stop Randal Kolo Muani rapidly cancelling out Eberechi Eze’s opener.

Viktor Gyökeres fired Arsenal back in front within two minutes of the restart to pave the way for what turned into a comfortable 4–1 win. Gabriel certainly appeared to enjoy it.

Several of the defender’s teammates delivered supportive comments beneath the post which showed the towering figure triumphantly holding up a four of hearts card, one for each goal his teammates scored in N17. The most mischievous aspect of the post was the nod to Richarlison.

The Spurs striker is a Brazilian compatriot of Gabriel’s but there appears to be no love lost in that pairing. Richarlison was a late substitute on the weekend, but still found time to tangle with Gabriel on the pitch before receiving a digital taunt. This was merely the latest chapter in the simmering social media feud between the two.

Gabriel vs. Richarlison in the Digital Age

Battles between Tottenham strikers and Arsenal centre backs used to be exclusively reserved for derby days. There may have been an occasional barb in the press which was pinned up on the dressing room wall, but in the modern social media age there are ample avenues for petty jibes.

Gabriel missed the reverse fixture between these sides through injury. Despite his stunning goal , Richarlison would find himself on the end of another 4–1 loss and a seemingly unnecessary taunt from his compatriot.

Shortly after the final whistle, Gabriel posted a picture of himself wearing the match shirt of hat-trick scorer Eze along with the midfielder’s Player of the Match award. Despite being nowhere to be seen, Richarlison was tagged.

This was likely a delayed response to the virtual tête-à -tête the pair played out during last summer’s pre-season friendly between the two north London rivals.

Spurs emerged victorious in the stifling heat of Hong Kong last July and Richarlison took his opportunity. The Brazilian forward shook off a glaring close-range miss to post an image of himself clutching two trophies, the Player of the Match award and the pre-season title Tottenham had won by claiming glory in the first-ever north London derby hosted outside the United Kingdom.

Gabriel did not let the issue lie. Arsenal’s prolific centre back swiftly responded with a picture of the three Premier League Player of the Match trophies which he had won against Spurs over the previous two seasons.

Gabriel Taunt Backfires

Lined up in front of Gabriel on Arsenal’s team coach across north London on Sunday evening was an assortment of items from a vending machine and the Player of the Match trophy. As many onlookers were quick to point out, Gabriel did not receive that award on the weekend.

Gyökeres justifiably claimed that particular gong following a two-goal haul which Arteta hailed as his best performance in an Arsenal shirt. Gabriel, by contrast, had a rather less comfortable evening.

The proud defender was part of the first Premier League backline to concede a goal from Tottenham’s misfiring forward Kolo Muani who perhaps should have had a second. With Arsenal only 2–1 up in the second half, the French Spurs forward swatted another crisp finish beyond David Raya only to be denied by the referee’s whistle. According to a lenient Peter Bankes, Kolo Muani had fouled Gabriel to get his shot away.

There were definitely two hands on the defender’s back but whether the minimal contact genuinely forced the 6'3" centre back flopping to the turf is subjective.

It was a particularly galling decision for Spurs fans who watched Hugo Ekitiké apply even more force on Cristian Romero yet still escape with a goal when Liverpool travelled to Tottenham in December.

Not that Gabriel would have much cared.

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Mikel Arteta welcomed the deserved criticism raining down upon his Arsenal side after their slip-up against Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek. “We need to go through the pain,” he warned his players. “We need to keep all that in our tummies to show it on Sunday.”

That hurt burst forth in the form of a 4–1 thumping against Tottenham Hotspur, which represented Arsenal’s largest league victory away to their arch rivals since 1978.

There were some shaky moments for Arteta’s title challengers to stutter through—this limp iteration of an injury-riddled Spurs side were level with the Gunners at 1–1 heading into half time—yet they managed to restore their advantage at the Premier League summit to five points.

Whether this weekend’s result was a question of Arsenal’s reinforced mental strength or simply Tottenham’s inferiority is a topic of major debate. In the eyes of Opta’s all-seeing supercomputer, it certainly boosted the Gunners’ title ambitions.

Supercomputer Predicts 2025–26 Premier League Title Race

“This chapter we wanted to write it,” a giddy Arteta beamed when the question of the title race was put to him on the weekend. “We have managed today.” Opta are incredibly confident that Arsenal will manage to reset their narrative by the end of May as well, with the Gunners given a bizarrely lofty 82.33% chance of winning the title.

Pep Guardiola’s cocktail-sipping Manchester City are only afforded a 16.92% likelihood of success. Much like their closest challengers, the perennial champions displayed plenty of weaknesses during their weekend win. Newcastle United had several sights of goal and were the better team for the second half of an unfortunate 2–1 defeat at the Etihad on Saturday night.

Such was Guardiola’s satisfaction with the scratchy triumph, he handed his players three days off. “Enjoy life,” was his advice. The Catalan coach promised to take the same approach and wasn’t even sure he would watch Arsenal’s trip to Tottenham. “I am on holiday so don’t know,” he wryly claimed.

Had Guardiola tuned in for the north London derby, he would have taken great pleasure in the large spurts of nervous energy pervading through the Gunners across the first half. A defence which began the season chasing down Chelsea’s Premier League benchmark of 15 goals conceded is suddenly susceptible to all the might of Randal Kolo Muani.

Supercomputer Predicts 2025–26 Champions League Race

“In your head, Arne, Arne, Arne,” Nottingham Forest fans chanted to the tune of ‘Zombie’ by the Cranberries for the vast majority of a dominant display against the reigning Premier League champions. Yet, by the end of a chaotic sequence of VAR decisions, it was Liverpool’s Arne Slot who soaked up the acclaim for a scarcely deserved 1–0 win.

“Happiness and relief” was the heady cocktail of emotions the Dutch boss was left to feel following a smash-and-grab triumph which saw Liverpool outshot 10 to 18. “The first half wasn’t good at all,” match-winner Alexis Mac Allister admitted. “The second half, I wouldn’t say it was good but it was better.”

However they cobbled their way to them, those three points could prove incredibly important when set to the backdrop of the devilishly tight race for Champions League qualification. Liverpool may be the side sitting in sixth but they are the ones given the best chance of joining Aston Villa and the division’s title challengers in the top six.

Chelsea slipped behind Manchester United in this week’s predictions with a second success Premier League draw at home to newly promoted opposition. Wesley Fofana’s boneheaded red card paved the way for an entirely avoidable stoppage-time equaliser from Zian Flemming at a corner. The complete breakdown in communication over who to mark almost contributed to a late winner from the visitors.

Supercomputer Predicts 2025–26 Relegation Battle

When Igor Tudor took on the daunting task of a Tottenham side in free fall, he was asked to rate the team’s chances of survival. “100%,” he declared ahead of Sunday’s derby. Opta’s supercomputer isn’t so optimistic, even if Spurs avoid a humiliating demotion in the vast majority of projected outcomes.

Despite ranking as the ninth richest club on the planet, Tottenham are expected to finish 16th in England’s top flight, below newly promoted Leeds United. Nottingham Forest, who were denied so cruelly by Liverpool at the City Ground this weekend, are only two points above West Ham United, yet remain considerably less likely to slip out of the division’s trap door than the east London outfit.

The Hammers were held to a goalless stalemate by Bournemouth this weekend but boast the momentum in this relegation shootout with Forest. Since losing to the Tricky Trees in the second week of January, West Ham have amassed almost twice as many points as Forest over the subsequent six league games (11 compared to six). Only five teams in the division have enjoyed a stronger run of form than Nuno Espírito Santo’s battlers.

Nuno’s former employers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, have taken just three points during this spell and are consigned to the drop by every onlooker. Burnley are likely to suffer the same fate, although their stoppage-time comeback against Chelsea proves that even clubs with seemingly nothing to play for can still bloody the nose of others.

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North London Derby day beckons, as relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur take on stuttering Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

A winless start to 2026, combined with a perilous league position, means Spurs finally parted ways with Thomas Frank after eight miserable months. So, former Juventus manager Igor Tudor will lead the Lilywhites into battle this weekend for a significant derby.

Tottenham missed out on derailing Arsenal’s title tilt two seasons ago, but they have a huge opportunity to kick their fiercest rivals while they’re down on home soil. Mikel Arteta’s side should be cantering towards the league title, but they’ve instead contrived to lose control of the race.

After collapsing late on against bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday marked another setback, Arsenal’s grip on first place has been weakening at the wrong time of year.

Derby day is typically tense, and Sunday’s clash boasts huge ramifications at both ends of the table. While Arsenal are aiming to get their title charge back on track, Tudor has been tasked with steering Tottenham safely clear of the relegation zone. They’re just five points better off than West Ham United with 12 games to go.

Here’s Sports Illustrated’s preview of the North London Derby.

What Time Does Tottenham vs. Arsenal Kick-Off?

Location: London, England

Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Date: Saturday, Feb. 22

Kick-off Time: 4:30 p.m. GMT / 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT

Referee: Peter Bankes

VAR: Darren England

Tottenham vs. Arsenal Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Tottenham: 0 wins

Arsenal: 4 wins

Draws: 1

Last meeting: Arsenal 4–1 Tottenham (Nov. 23, 2025)—Premier League

Current Form (All Competitions, Last Five Games)

How to Watch Tottenham vs. Arsenal on TV

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Tottenham Team News

Tottenham may have changed managers, but there’s been no miracle on the injury front since Tudor arrived. The Croatian expects to have no players back this weekend, and he also confirmed that Dominic Solanke’s week was disrupted by a sore throat.

The striker should be okay to start in Sunday’s derby, though.

Tudor has historically opted for a 3-4-2-1, but Tottenham’s available personnel may force a subtle tweak. Solanke could partner Randal Kolo Muani in attack, with Xavi Simons operating between the lines.

João Palhinha may be used in defence, given that Cristian Romero is suspended and Kevin Danso is still injured. Also on the sidelines are James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie, Pedro Porro, Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Ben Davies.

Tottenham Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal

Tottenham predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (3-4-1-2): Vicario; Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Gray, Sarr, Gallagher, Spence; Xavi; Kolo Muani, Solanke.

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal have received a couple of timely boosts with the derby looking. Arteta has said that Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz could both be back in action this weekend.

Ødegaard has missed the last two games with a knee injury, while the muscle injury Havertz sustained was originally expected to keep him out until March. The captain’s return should see Bukayo Saka drift out wide again, having started in a central role against Wigan Athletic and Wolves.

Mikel Merino is absent due to a foot injury, and little is known about when young Max Dowman will make his comeback from a fitness setback.

Leandro Trossard should be fine after coming off late on at Molineux.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Tottenham

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Ødegaard, Trossard; Gyökeres.

Tottenham vs. Arsenal Score Prediction

Nothing but ignorance means plenty have been quick to write Tudor off, but he certainly has a knack of getting a tune out of a new group of players right away.

Thomas Frank’s removal and Arsenal’s sustained blip means N17 will be alive on derby day, with a fixture that so many were dreading now regarded as one that the hosts could potentially get something from.

Tudor’s aggressive principles out of possession could catch a few teams cold, and Tottenham should soon be drilled like an Italian regiment. However, he‘s only had a few days to work with this depleted group, and although Arsenal are floundering at the minute, it’s still a big ask for Spurs to snatch a result against a side that has utterly dominated the head-to-head duel as of late.

Prediction: Tottenham 1–2 Arsenal

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Mikel Arteta has called for calm in testing times for his Arsenal team, after they dropped points for the second Premier League game running on Wednesday night.

It wasn’t merely the surrendering of two points that has seen some factions of the fanbase cry crisis. The Gunners allowed one of the competition’s worst-ever teams to fight back from 2–0 down, having produced the meekest of performances against Wolves, bereft of a title-winning edge.

They do at least have the perfect opportunity to respond on derby day, although Sunday’s trip down Seven Sisters Road is suddenly one supporters are dreading as "bottling" murmurs increase in prominence.

This is a huge game, comically, at both ends of the table, with Arsenal knowing that they can sink their fiercest rivals further into the mire by returning to winning ways.

Match Snapshot

🕒 Kick-off time: 4:30 p.m. GMT, 11:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. PT

📍 Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

🏆 Competition: Premier League

📊 Recent form: DWDWW (all competitions)

Will Viktor Gyokeres Start Over Gabriel Jesus?

⚠️ Key absentees, doubts: Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz, Max Dowman, Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard

🔢 Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Arsenal have received a double injury boost in time for the derby, with Kai Havertz, who was initially expected to miss this fixture, and captain Martin Ødegaard back in contention for the away side.

While Arteta didn’t confirm that either player would be back in his matchday squad, they seem to be trending in the right direction.

However, Arsenal are without Mikel Merino due to a foot injury, as well as youngster Max Dowman. Leandro Trossard should be okay after his late withdrawal on Wednesday night, while Arteta must decide whether to stick with Viktor Gyökeres after a poor outing against Wolves or bring in Gabriel Jesus up top.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Wolves

GK: David Raya—Arsenal’s goalkeeper came under scrutiny for his role in Wolves’ comeback on Wednesday night, and he’ll be hoping for a big performance in response at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

RB: Jurriën Timber—Timber has been off the boil as of late, with his limited attacking contribution no longer outweighed by outstanding defending. Ben White is waiting in the wings if things don’t improve.

CB: William Saliba—Saliba watched the mess unfold around him at Molineux, and his steady head will be needed on derby day.

CB: Gabriel—The Brazilian no longer has to shackle Harry Kane in this fixture, but it’s not yet clear how Tottenham will look in attack under Igor Tudor. The Croat could opt for a strike pairing and aim to occupy both of Arsenal’s excellent centre backs.

LB: Piero Hincapié—The subsequent collapse overshadowed Hincapié’s first Arsenal goal, which was nicely taken, and he certainly doesn’t deserve to lose his place.

DM: Martín Zubimendi—Supporters want to see more of Christian Nørgaard, but the Dane will only get minutes off the bench, if any at all, on Sunday. Arteta’s going to stick with Zubimendi.

DM: Declan Rice—It’s time for Rice to grab this nervous Arsenal side by the scruff of the neck and pull them through this tricky period.

RW: Bukayo Saka—Playing Saka centrally is an option, but Arteta is likely to welcome back at least one key player in attack, which should facilitate Saka’s return to the flank.

AM: Martin Ødegaard—If the captain is ready to go, expect him to come straight back into the starting XI. Eberechi Eze had his one big day in the reverse fixture, but Arteta will likely turn to familiarity in order to get his team ticking again.

LW: Leandro Trossard—Gabriel Martinelli has played his way out of the team, so Trossard, who fatefully went off in stoppage time on Wednesday, is likely to get the nod.

ST: Viktor Gyökeres—Arsenal desperately need Kai Havertz, but the German might not be ready to start right away. As a result, Spurs’ depleted backline will get to feast on Gyökeres in N17.

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Hamburg manager Merlin Polzin has expressed his desire to extend the loan deal of impressive Tottenham Hotspur teenager Luka Vušković.

The 18-year-old joined the German side last summer and has since become instrumental to HSV’s survival bid. Starting all but two of their league matches, the talented central defender has scored four goals and won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month on three separate occasions.

Despite acknowledging the difficulty of retaining Vušković on loan for the 2026–27 season, Polzin made a public plea to keep the Croatian for another term.

“I’m a man of conviction. Of course, I also believe in things that seem impossible, even if they’re just a bit romantic about football,” the Hamburg manager said, as reported by Bild. “Nevertheless, there’s a clear contractual agreement between the clubs.

“We’re very grateful that we found a solution last summer. It was very clear from the start with Luka’s camp that he only wanted to join HSV. The communication with Tottenham is extremely professional, both last summer and now. We’d be very interested in him continuing to wear the HSV jersey.”

Luka Vuskovic Hailed for Astonishing Ascent

Tottenham’s £12 million ($16.1 million) outlay on Vušković now appears an absolute steal. The youngster, who made his senior Croatia debut in June and should feature at the 2026 World Cup, has been a transformative figure for Hamburg.

Not only has Vušković been a defensive powerhouse for Die Rothosen, he’s proven extremely capable with the ball at his feet and a regular attacking provider from set pieces—his extraordinary scorpion kick in the 3–2 victory over Werder Bremen was even voted as the Bundesliga’s Goal of the Month for December.

“It’s not just about winning headers and tackles or scoring goals: he’s somebody who can organise a defence. That’s something you find very rarely,” Germany legend and Ballon d’Or winner Lothar Matthäus said of Vušković last month.

“At the age of 18, he plays as if he had already played three World Cups! Even when I was 30, I didn’t see what he saw at 18.”

Vušković was even named Bundesliga Player of the Season for the first half of the campaign, scooping 60% of the vote and beating the likes of Harry Kane, Luis Díaz and Michael Olise in the polls.

How Luka Vuskovic’s Brother Could Influence Summer Decision

Spurs will almost certainly want Vušković to return to north London after his appearance at the World Cup, welcoming a much-needed warm body into a struggling side lacking depth in the heart of defence. That issue could be exacerbated by the potential exit of Cristian Romero over the summer.

However, Vušković has admitted he’s open to staying in the Bundesliga with HSV, insisting no final decision has been made on his short or long-term future.

“I don’t know what will happen; we’ll talk about that in the summer. Tottenham is also being talked about because I’m their player until 2030,” he told TPortal. "So, after my eventual appearance at the World Cup, we’ll see what we’ll do and how to proceed. As for me, I wouldn’t mind staying at HSV, in fact.”

Vušković’s brother, Mario, currently plays for Hamburg, but is serving a four-year doping ban which won’t be completed until November 2026. To play with his brother, the Tottenham loanee will have to extend his stay in Germany, something he’s opened up about previously.

“Mario should start playing in the fall, so I’d get the chance to play with him, which is my biggest wish at the moment. You know how football is, you never know what will happen.”

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