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Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Nick Mashiter

BBC Sport football news reporter at the City Ground

Forward Morgan Rogers will make his 100th appearance for Aston Villa since the start of last season.

He is the first English player to do it across the top five leagues in Europe.

During that time he has broken into the England squad and become one of the most coveted players in the Premier League, with growing expectation he will leave Villa this summer.

'We need to get points every match'

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest boss Victor Pereira speaking ahead of facing Aston Villa: "When we have quality and character, it gives you confidence in your side. We want to be mentally and physically fresh to face Aston Villa at our best level."

On what to expect from Aston Villa: "They have a good team, they have good players and a good manager but it is about us. We need to be mentally ready to face this challenge and get points every match."

On the fans: "They will be very important, they are our 12th player on the pitch. We need to feel their energy and that we are fighting together."

Record in reach for Sunderland?

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Jordan Butler

BBC Sport

Sunderland achieved the magical 40-point mark with victory over Leeds United in early March and, unlike Tottenham, their top-flight status is all but assured for another year.

Regis le Bris's side can now set their sights on setting a new club record for most points in a Premier League season. They require another 16 to surpass the previous highest total set by Peter Reid's men in 1999-2000. Unlikely given there are 21 points remaining, but not impossible.

Sunderland have endured a dismal recent record against Tottenham in the top flight and they are winless in 15 previous meetings (D5, L10) since a 3-1 home victory in April 2010. Four of their five Premier League victories over the north London club have come at the Stadium of Light, including a memorable 1-0 triumph on the opening day of the 2007-08 season.

Michael Chopra scored a later winner for Roy Keane's newly promoted side that day and the win proved to be very important, as the Wearside club finished just three points above the relegation zone, while Spurs placed 11th. The opposite could well be true at the conclusion of 2025-26.

'We know Tottenham will go strong'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Sunderland

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris on four changes to his starting line-up: "We have a few injuries coming back so it gives us more options. Even if the squad did well against Newcastle it's important to refresh the starting 11 and we have adaptions on the bench."

On if he can take anything from the win over Newcastle last time out: "I hope so. We have shown this season we can compete at that level. In this league nothing is guaranteed, there are always new challenges ahead and this one will be tough. We know Tottenham will go strong with strong ambition. It's important to take it back at home. We did well away and at home we want to rebuild our fortress."

On how he prepared for facing Spurs under De Zerbi: "It's hard to anticipate the shape, the patterns and so on. It's more about us. How do we want to play this game? We will have to be adaptive. We don't have much information about the way they will play."

'We have to forget the past'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to Sky Sports, on Antonin Kinsky starting his first game since the Atletico Madrid defeat: "I believe in Kinsky. He has to stay calm, to believe in himself. He has the right quality to play in the Premier League. He has to forget everything and stay focused on the game. We need him to have a good performance to find a good result."

On making sure being in the bottom three doesn't have a negative impact: "We have to fight, we have to play with the right spirit, we have to help teammates on the pitch, we have to keep in our head our qualities and don't forget who we are. When they play like they can, we can compete against every club in the Premier League. We have to forget the past, just focus on this game and then we see the result and prepare for the last six games."

'De Zerbi ran out of energy and ideas at Marseille'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Julien Laurens

ESPN journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think there are a few reasons why De Zerbi didn't have the impact he wanted to have at Marseille and it all kind of stopped in February. He had run out of ideas. He had run out of energy. It is a great football city that lives and breathes football, just like him, so it was a great match in the beginning. But when you start not winning it is draining, very, very draining.

He looked more drained each week, he had lots of clashes with the French media, and when that happens down there you are in trouble. And the fans also wanted him gone.

'We have very good players'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to Sky Sports on picking his starting line-up: "It is not so easy to select the first 11. I am lucky, we have a lot of very good players. Just to understand their physical condition, their position and where they have to play. It was very difficult for me."

On the three players starting up front: "They are different players, they play in different positions. Only Solanke is a real striker, we try to win the game. To win the game we have to score and we have to know the way to create chances to score, to shoot, to attack the goal area. I think we can do well.

De Zerbi explains why he has not changed coaching staff much

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi has only brought two coaches with him to the club - first-team fitness coach Marcattilio Marcattilii and senior professional development phase coach Marcello Quinto.

Bruno Saltor, who only arrived in February with Igor Tudor, and Andreas Georgson, who joined in the summer with Thomas Frank, remain the assistant managers.

De Zerbi said: “It's a totally different situation, because we have no time to work like in Brighton or Marseille or another place I've been. I don't want to put confusion inside of the players.

"They have to be with a clear plan of the game and not too much instruction, not too much thinking. They have to run where is the ball. They have to play with courage, with personality and they have to fight. My demand is to show the right spirit I want to see."

'We have got seven massive games'

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (14:00 BST)

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking before facing Crystal Palace: "We are looking for a positive response to that result (2-1 defeat by Sunderland). A number of changes. We have got a few players coming back to fitness which gives us a huge lift. We need to stamp our authority in the match.

"We have got seven massive games. We have an opportunity to have a strong finish. We've had incredibly demanding season."

On Will Osula: "He is a livewire. He's got real pace, physical strength and height that will help us. He's someone who's desperate to do well. He's been patient. Hopefully he takes this chance."

'We want fresh legs against physical Newcastle'

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (14:00 BST)

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking before facing Newcastle: "We need to have the energy to get the result in front of our fans. It's the most important thing today.

"We had to make changes because Evann Guessand is injured and Jean-Philippe Mateta had to rest after his first start after three months. We want to have fresh legs against a very physical Newcastle side. We almost have a full squad available which is good."

Can Mateta kick on after ending goal drought?

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (14:00 BST)

Crystal Palace

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal in over three months in Crystal Palace's 3-0 win against Fiorentina 3-0 in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League quarter-final tie.

Making his first start since a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed, he converted from the penalty spot in the 24th minute before playing a part in Palace's second goal.

Mateta came into the side in place of the suspended Jorgen Strand Larsen after scoring a hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier in the week.

"What a night. For a long time I didn't play, I didn't start. I dreamed about scoring that goal for nights. I did and I am so happy," Mateta told TNT Sports after the game.

Mateta completed a lap of honour applauding Selhurst Park after the game. On whether he has a message for Palace fans, he added: "They know me, I keep working hard. They know I am always here to reach victory and today we did it. Hopefully we can finish the job in Italy."

Glasner and Howe both eye big result

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (14:00 BST)

Ciaran Kelly

BBC Sport reporter at Selhurst Park

It may be tempting to suggest Crystal Palace have an eye on the Conference League today after making five changes. Not if manager Oliver Glasner has anything to do with it.

“A good run of form in the league can also help us in Europe,” he writes in his programme notes just a few days after his side's quarter-final first-leg win against Fiorentina.

“For me, winning is always the best preparation you can do for the next game. Having that confidence and believing in the work you are doing is very powerful.”

Thursday’s 3-0 victory against Fiorentina has certainly breathed new life into Crystal Palace’s season after the Eagles took a huge step towards reaching a first ever major European semi-final.

Among those watching on from afar that night was Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, who knows all about the challenges of quick turnarounds and fighting on multiple fronts.

Following a 7-2 hammering at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League, last month, Newcastle suffered a damaging Tyne-Wear derby defeat against bitter rivals Sunderland in the top flight just a few days later.

It felt like 13th-placed Newcastle’s season had gone up in smoke in an instant.

Yet Howe needs no reminding there is a lot riding on these final seven games of the season as his side look to restore some pride and finally mount a late push for Europe.

Watkins gets help from Owen

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Ollie Watkins' upturn in form may in part be thanks to Michael Owen.

While speaking to Kelly Sommers for The Football Interview this week, Watkins revealed that he sought the advice of former England striker Owen, who he reached out to via Instagram DMs.

"It's easy to speak to your friends and stuff when they come and watch you, but they've got a biased opinion," Watkins said.

"Someone like Michael Owen, who has played the game... he's hit levels that I've not achieved... he can know how I'm thinking and just see from afar and give you some advice on what to do. I think it's always nice to be in my position and be able to reach out to these people.

"I was actually going through my followers on Instagram. It just said, 'Michael Owen - follow back', so I followed him back and then I messaged him and we just had a chat. And he was just saying he just feels like when I play angry and I'm being a nuisance, that's when I'm at my best. So I just try and bring that to the table as much as possible."

Can Watkins continue resurgence?

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Is Ollie Watkins finally getting back to his usual self?

The Aston Villa striker has fallen well short of the heights he reached last season, and was left out of the England squad during the March international break as a result.

However, he has scored four goals in his past four starts across all competitions.

Watkins scored twice in Villa's 3-1 defeat of Bologna in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final, taking him to nine goals in major European competition, equalling the club record first set by Peter Withe and matched by John McGinn.

After scoring against West Ham just before the international break, a goal today would be just the second instance of Watkins scoring in more than one game in a row.

Forest find timely form

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Jordan Butler

BBC Sport

Europe has provided a welcome distraction from the Premier League for Nottingham Forest for most of this campaign but, under Vitor Pereira, they seem to be finding form at the perfect time.

Forest sit two points above the relegation places with seven games remaining but they have taken four points from the past two league games, including a huge 3-0 victory at relegation rivals Spurs in their last outing.

A creditable draw in Porto on Thursday night with a much-changed side extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to four matches and Pereira seems to be striking the necessary balance between European progression and Premier League survival.

A total of 36 points has been enough to guarantee survival in each of the past nine Premier League seasons and if that trend continues in 2025-26, the Tricky Trees require only four more points from their seven remaining matches.

'This Spurs squad don't know what is going to hit them'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Julien Laurens

ESPN journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

De Zerbi has a hot temper. He is demanding on the training pitch, if he wants two touch and you take three he is going to lose it. That is the thing I am worried for this Spurs squad, is that they don't know what is going to hit them.

If the result doesn't go their way today, if they draw or lose, I guarantee that the mood at training tomorrow will be very different to the last ten days he has been in charge.

De Zerbi 'wants high risk game of football'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Chris Sutton

Former Celtic striker on Football Focus

I am a little bit surprised but bearing in mind with how the season has gone for Spurs, maybe Igor Tudor isn’t that firefighter, it hasn’t worked and they got desperate.

What’s really fascinating about this appointment is the style of football that Roberto de Zerbi plays when he coaches clubs. He wants to play a high risk game of football. He talked in his press conference about wanting to play like Ange [Postecoglou], but we all saw what happened to him.

Relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur make the trip north to Sunderland on Sunday. BBC Sport explores some of the key talking points surrounding this fixture.

All eyes will be on the dugout at the Stadium of Light this weekend as Tottenham's latest head coach attempts to save his new club from a disastrous relegation with only seven games of the season remaining.

"I have a big responsibility," admitted Roberto de Zerbi, who has signed a five-year contract with no relegation release clause. "For me, Tottenham, especially in this moment, is maybe the most important challenge in my career."

One of the many necessary steps towards securing safety for the Italian and his coaching staff will be to inject belief in a side lacking confidence and he will need to quickly bring an end to their 13-game winless streak in the league (D5, L8) – the club's worst run for 91 years.

The 46-year-old can perhaps lean on the fact that Spurs have been significantly better away in the Premier League than at home, with 20 of their 30 points coming on the road.

Does De Zerbi need time?

Some of the conversation around the Italian's appointment has centred on his propensity for slow starts, with time apparently needed to convey his methods to a new group of players, something that Spurs don't have. But at his past four clubs he has largely hit the ground running and he was victorious in his first league match with Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk and Marseille.

The obvious anomaly is Brighton where, not only did he take over in mid-season, but he also failed to win any of his opening five in charge. He did, however, accrue eight points from his first seven games on the south coast and if that form were replicated in his current role it would likely ensure Tottenham's top-flight survival.

An average of 36 points has been enough to stay up since the Premier League switched to a 38-game season in 1995-96. The necessary total stands at 33 points across the past 10 seasons. By that yardstick, one win would potentially be enough for De Zerbi, but even with a victory this weekend his work will be far from done.

Record in reach for Sunderland?

Sunderland achieved the magical 40-point mark with victory over Leeds United in early March and, unlike Tottenham, their top-flight status is all but assured for another year.

Regis le Bris's side can now set their sights on setting a new club record for most points in a Premier League season. They require another 16 to surpass the previous highest total set by Peter Reid's men in 1999-2000. Unlikely given there are 21 points remaining, but not impossible.

After a season of turmoil, at last some light at the end of the tunnel for West Ham.

Friday's thumping 4-0 win over Wolves - their biggest of the season so far - lifted West Ham out of the Premier League relegation zone, and plunged London rivals Tottenham into it.

Just three points now separate four teams in the battle to avoid the third relegation spot, with Wolves and Burnley both cut further adrift.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo insisted there was still "a lot of work to do" - but enjoyed a "big step" towards safety after Taty Castellanos and Konstantinos Mavropanos both scored twice at London Stadium.

"We are happy, extremely happy," he told Sky Sports. "All of us deserve this kind of evening, especially our fans.

"The London Stadium today was amazing, bouncing with energy and helping us in the hard parts."

But while West Ham fans were bouncing, Tottenham supporters watching at home were likely slumping further into their armchairs as each goal went in.

Spurs, who face Sunderland on Sunday in new boss Roberto de Zerbi's first game in charge, are now in completely uncharted territory.

So what next?

While Spurs have flirted with the bottom three for the past two seasons - even during their run to Europa League glory 11 months ago, in the same campaign they finished 17th in the league - this is the first time they have actually occupied the relegation zone since 2015.

On that occasion, the league season was only one game old and Tottenham - then managed by Mauricio Pochettino - had lost their opener against Manchester United, but recovered to finish in third place.

To find the last time Spurs were in the relegation zone past the midway point of a campaign, you have to go back to February 1998 - when they sat 18th after 24 games.

But after 31 matches? That has never happened in the Premier League era. This is another new low.

What will worry Spurs fans even more is that across 31 Premier League seasons, a team occupying 18th place after 31 matches has been relegated on 21 occasions.

"When I look at the Tottenham team... where's your match-winner? Who's going to win you the game?" said ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.

"When I look at Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, they have moments - that's the important thing.

"And that's now put almighty pressure on Tottenham Hotspur, who have to go and beat Sunderland in their next game. That's not an easy fixture.

"Anything can happen. There will still be twists and turns. West Ham have only got to lose their next game at Crystal Palace next week and they're right back in it.

"It's very difficult to predict. But you need calm heads and what West Ham did today - look a threat from set-pieces, a real threat from your best players - you give yourself a real chance."

After their trip to the Stadium of Light, four of Tottenham's six remaining games are against teams in the top half of the table. They still have to go to Aston Villa and Chelsea, both chasing Champions League football.

But while the stats suggest 18th position is not the place to be after 31 games, not all the data is doom and gloom for Spurs, who have only spent one season outside the top flight since 1950 - way back in 1977-78.

Of the 17 times a team has been on 30 points after 31 games (Tottenham's current tally), only six were relegated. It is something to cling on to.

There are sure to be plenty more twists and turns in the final weeks of the season.

But, after their hard-fought and well-deserved win against Wolves, West Ham's players can at least breathe a sigh of relief as attention turns to their relegation rivals - Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Spurs - for the rest of the weekend.

Up first are Forest, who host Champions League-chasing Aston Villa at 14:00 BST on Sunday, after a gruelling Europa League quarter-final first leg against Porto on Thursday.

Later in the day, Spurs, as mentioned, will have to inflict just a fourth home defeat of the season on an impressive Sunderland side if they are to move out of the relegation zone at the first time of asking.

Leeds - one point and two places above West Ham - round off the weekend's fixtures on Monday when they travel to Manchester United.

But it will not be easy against one of their fiercest rivals - Daniel Farke's men have not won at Old Trafford in the league since 1981.

A favourable weekend of fixtures for the Hammers then?

It is little wonder West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen admitted he would be keeping a close eye on the television over the weekend.

"I've got three kids to entertain but I will keep an eye on the games," added Bowen. "We have a bit of time before the game against Palace then go again.

"The spirit, the togetherness is so important in this situation. You can always have quality, but you need grit and desire and a will to win through the whole squad.

"The only thing we know as a club is to keep fighting and doing what we're doing and take it into the next six games."

While those above them continue to battle it out for Premier League survival, it looks almost certain that Wolves' race is run.

Fifteen points from safety with just 18 points left to play for, their relegation could be confirmed as early as next Saturday if results go against them.

They have been made to pay for a dreadful first half of the season, failing to win any of their opening 19 games and picking up just three points in the process.

Defender Ladislav Krejci apologised to the fans after their defeat at London Stadium - "not just for this game but the situation in the table".

But manager Rob Edwards would not be drawn on whether it was a result that killed any remaining hope.

"For us it is the same message," he told Sky Sports. We have to try to finish strong, respect every game and go for it.

"We are all under the microscope and we have to make sure we perform."

'We knew what was at stake'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

West Ham United

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen speaking to Sky Sports:

"A lot easier coming and speaking tonight on the end of a 4-0 win and out the relegation zone, we knew what was at stake before the game. It was a bit cagey the first half, a lot of nerves in the first half a game o this magnitude but there's highs and lows in games and it's about sticking together and showing our quality like we did in the second half.

"You play before everyone else around you plays. Everyone looks at results and your position. All you can do is focus on yourself. We're in a situation we don't want to be in but you have to face up to it and tonight was about facing up to it. We knew there would be difficult moments in the game but we're sat here now with a 4-0 win.

"I just try and put the ball in an area, he [Mavrapanos] has great timing. It wasn't pretty but as soon as I got half a yard I just wanted to put the ball in the box. The timing and leap he has got - the first goal always settles things.

"Games like this can be decided by set pieces. It's something we've been good at over the years and we have this season too.

"At half time I just said let's stay clam, there was a but of frustration, giving the ball away, a few mis-controls and it was a bit edgy, a bit nervy. Main message was to stick together as a team, we knew it will be a game where three points are vital, we're 45 mins from three points that would mean the world to us. We have to show our quality a bit more and we could've been better in the final third.

"There was opportunity to score more and really put a statement out there. But we've got a clean sheet as well and four goals."

'All of us deserve this kind of evening'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

West Ham United

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to Sky Sports: "We are happy, extremely happy. All of us deserve this kind of evening, especially our fans. London Stadium today was amazing, bouncing with energy and helping us in the hard parts. The first half was tough. We didn't find spaces, the game didn't flow, but we were there. Then after the break we really improved."

On the timing of the first goal: "It changes everything. It changes the dynamic of the half time talk. The players keept their calmness and understood and did an amazing second half. Much, much improved [in the second half], not only on the ball but off the ball. We stopped them from breaking us in the middle. It was positive."

On the front two: "We played many times in this shape before the injuries with these players, and it was too bad it did not follow on. I think we still have time to improve the way we want to do things in this shape. The hard work is more important sometimes, off the ball all the team was spot on."

On the Disasi-Mavropanos partnershp: "They know each other better, so the communication has improved a lot. The full-backs have also helped a lot, especially when they put the big striker and the balls into the box, but the team was ok."

On showing fight: "We spoke after the game and the way we did it tonight proved to ourselves that we cannot give up. That was the team spirit from the beginning. Never give up, we are in the fight. I realise we have a lot of work to do yet. We made a big step today, important for us, but nothing has changed."

'Two quick fire goals and the game is done'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

Wolves

Wolves boss Rob Edwards speaking to Sky Sports: "Yes it did come as a surprise. We're bitterly disappointed. I thought the performance in the first half was good and we started really well. Goign 1-0 down can happen, we talked about making sure we finish attacks better. Then two quick fire goals, they latched onto our mistakes and then the game is done. You give them credit but it is poor from us. So what started looking like it could be a positive night ended up being really difficult.

"It doesn't matter who makes the mistakes, we make them as a team. A couple of our best players have been robbed of the ball, it can happen, there is still a lot to do. It's a collective and they took advantage of those tonight.

"For us it is the same message. We have to try to finish strong, respect every game and go for it. We are all under the microscope and we have to make sure we perform. Tonight is strange because we did, and then we got punished in the second half. We've got to make sure that we respond now at Elland Road.

"I don't think it's helped 25 days not playing, but it's not an excuse. I won't make any excuses. In the end we got punished for our mistakes and West Ham won the game deservedly. Tonight we've got to lick our wounds, take the medicine, take the criticism, then come back and respond well."

'Unacceptable'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

Wolves

Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci speaking to Sky Sports:

"From the beginning I felt we were the better team. We had more space, we were better on the ball. From some moment in the first half we stopped moving and finding the right solution. We let them score and the second half from our mistakes we gave them the chances. It's unacceptable how many goals we conceded. From our side we apologise to the fans - not just for this game but this situation doesn't help us in the table. We could've got closer but we did not.

"The situation that we created, we gave them the chance to score - that's from our side. I don't want to point fingers because everybody was there. We cannot do it at this level."

Does this make survival impossible? "I don't know - my full focus and others in the club was that this game was the one which changed the whole thing. It didn't happen so let's meet next week again and try to find a solution if it's there."

'A perfect performance'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

West Ham United

West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "These kind of wins give us a big boost for the rest of the season because we have been working really hard. We got some really good results in the past games and today again we saw the great effort with our fans at home, clean sheet. I think it was a perfect performance.

"We said that we have to stay calm throughout the game because Wolves have some good players. We stuck together and scored the first goal and in the second half we saw more of our work and we scored more goals."

On two more goals for him: "I'm just happy to help the team to get results like that. With all the lads and the staff we have been working really hard to score from the set pieces. In the last games we got some really good goals through set pieces, so we are just happy to get these extra goals as well."

On showing spirit and character: "Yes exactly. With these fans and the effort that we showed we just have to keep the momentum and we will be fine."

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Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he is "not better" than predecessors Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor as he prepares to take charge of his first game at the Premier League strugglers.

Sunderland will be Spurs' first opponents under the Italian, who was appointed on 31 March with the club one point outside the relegation zone with seven games remaining.

De Zerbi is Tottenham's third manager of the season after Frank and Tudor - the latter only lasting 44 days and seven matches in the role.

"I am proud and happy to be here and I have to say thank you to Vinai [Venkatesham] and Johan [Lange] because they showed me a big, big confidence," said De Zerbi on Friday.

"I'm sure about the level of the players because I was very, very close to bringing many of these players to my former teams in the past.

"I think I am not better than Frank or Tudor because I consider them very good coaches.

"I try to bring my style, my character, my personality and my strengths to achieve our target, which is the most important part now."

Tottenham have not won a domestic league game in 2026 and only two since 26 October 2025.

They were also knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Atletico Madrid 7-5 on aggregate.

Since 1950, Spurs have only spent one season outside the top flight, which was back in 1977-78.

"For me, it was a big opportunity because Tottenham are a very important club in the Premier League and the Premier League is the best league in the world," said De Zerbi, who previously managed Brighton between 2022 and 2024.

"I love the qualities of the players and the crucial part that there was 12 days before the first game and for me it was important to have more than one week. I thought it would be important to understand the problems.

"The message for my staff and players is that we have to deserve the support because the fans are suffering like us. But for the fans, there is just one club. The players can change but for the fans, their club is unique.

"We have to make them happy with the right spirit and the right behaviour on the pitch. Then it's easier to make points."

Briton Tyson Fury delivered typically theatrical monologue as he took aim at opponent Arslanbek Makhmudov, rival heavyweights and even a struggling Premier League club.

Heavyweight Fury will face the Russian at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday in his first fight for 15 months.

There was plenty of mutual respect when the two heavyweights faced the media, but Fury - boxing's consummate showman - eventually delivered the headline-grabbing moment the room had been waiting for.

"Sooner or later these so-called alphabetical world champions are going to have to fight me. They will be hunted and destroyed. Who will they face for money? I'm the money man," he said.

"Whoever has the belts will be on their knees begging me by the end of the year. This is my sixth stadium fight back-to-back. Who has done that before? ChatGPT said no one.

"I am going to make an example of him. He is a big six-foot-seven lump. I will knock his head right off his two shoulders. He is fighting the great Tyson Fury."

Fury, 37, briefly retired a month after his second defeat by Oleksandr Usyk, but announced his return earlier this year.

The two-time world champion has not fought in Britain since December 2022, when he stopped Derek Chisora at this weekend's fight venue to retain the WBC title.

"I've been out in Saudi Arabia but to come back to England and fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - let's hope I do better than Tottenham because they've been rubbish recently," he quipped.

One lingering question concerns Fury's training team. The Morecambe fighter has previously said he would train himself but long-time trainer SugarHill Steward was in attendance, although Fury insisted the American was there only for "moral support".

The grin on Fury's face suggested Steward is likely to appear in the corner on fight night.

The face-off ended in good spirits. Makhmudov even lifted Fury off the ground as a joke before the pair shared an embrace.

Those close to the negotiations say the fight is not the biggest payday of Fury's career - that honour remains his first bout with Ukranian Usyk - but the former heavyweight champion was keen to return to the ring for his own wellbeing.

Fury arrived wearing a custom suit branded with Netflix colours. The card is a significant moment for the streaming giant which - with its 325 million global subscribers - continues its move into boxing with its first show staged in the United Kingdom.

The platform has dipped into the sport through occasional blockbuster events rather than a regular schedule - most recently Anthony Joshua's victory over Jake Paul in Miami, but also including the controversial bout between Paul and Mike Tyson, the historic meetings between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, and the super-fight between Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

Fury's appearance also forms part of a wider entertainment offering that includes the second series of 'At Home With the Furys', which drops on Sunday and gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the heavyweight's life outside of the ring.

For Netflix, the bigger prize could be the long-awaited showdown between Fury and Joshua - a fight years in the making but still one of the sport's most lucrative possibilities.

Fury has said Joshua is the opponent he wants next, with Dublin's Croke Park being touted as a possible venue in September.

The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.

Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.

So how are you feeling as a Spurs fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?

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Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus could miss the remainder of the Premier League season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury.

The Ghana international has been out for over three months after limping out of Spurs' 1-1 draw with Sunderland on 4 January.

Spurs had initially hoped the former West Ham midfielder would return after this month's international break, making him available for the club's remaining seven matches of the campaign.

But sources have told BBC Sport that the Ghanaian is unlikely to feature again this season after a setback pushed back his return.

Roberto de Zerbi's side are 17th in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone.

Kudus, a £55m signing from West Ham last summer, faces a race against time to be fit for Ghana's World Cup squad.

The Black Stars open their World Cup campaign against Panama on 18 June, before facing England on 23 June and Croatia on 27 June.