Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI vs Brentford: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI vs Brentford: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup Tottenham injury news, predicted XI and selection issues before Brentford opener Tottenham have spent heavily, £237 million heavily, and that creates noise. What matters now is the first proper test. Brentford away is awkward, physical and unforgiving, especially for a side trying to shake off back to back 17th-place finishes and start again under Roberto De Zerbi. The manager has been brought in to impose a style and restore order. Fine. The problem is that Tottenham are already dealing with a familiar issue, injuries. A squad can look deep on paper, but if key players are unavailable or short of match fitness, the plan changes quickly. Brentford test comes with Tottenham injuries mounting De Zerbi was clear on Friday about some of the absences. Micky van de Ven, despite recently signing a lucrative new contract, will not feature. In the manager’s words, he will not be “in the [squad] list for tomorrow,” after failing to play at all in pre-season following extended leave after the World Cup. Pedro Porro is also out of this one. De Zerbi confirmed he will not be involved, while Pape Matar Sarr has a hamstring issue. The good news for Tottenham is that it is not thought to be serious, the bad news is that it still keeps him out of the opening weekend. Photo IMAGO Then there is the wider picture. Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Dejan Kulusevski remain long-term absentees. Mohammed Kudus is back in training, but has not played since January because of a serious quad injury. Throwing him straight in now would be reckless, and De Zerbi has shown no appetite for that kind of gamble. Roberto De Zerbi managing minutes across key Spurs players There is at least some positive movement. Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Mateus Fernandes all trained ahead of the trip to west London. De Zerbi said they would be “inside”, which strongly suggests they could make the squad. That does not mean they are ready to start. Udogie remains a doubt after missing pre-season while his workload has been carefully controlled following muscular problems. Maddison is in a similar place. He is in the frame to take on greater leadership duties after Cristian Romero’s departure, but he is still building himself back up after returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury late last season. Solanke is another uncertain case. He was used sparingly in pre-season after a campaign wrecked by a recurring ankle injury and then a hamstring problem. As for Fernandes, the £85 million summer signing has been dealing with a calf issue since the pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia. Tottenham hope he will be available, but caution has defined De Zerbi’s handling so far. Predicted Tottenham XI for Premier League opener All of that leaves Tottenham with decisions to make, especially in attack. Kudus is unlikely to be risked, and with the Savinho pursuit still dragging on, Mikey Moore may get his chance on the right. He is expected to leave on loan at some stage, but for now he may be needed. The predicted Tottenham XI reads: Kinsky, Gray, Van Hecke, Senesi, Robertson, Fernandes, Tonali, Moore, Gallagher, Tel, Richarlison. That side has talent, but also plenty of moving parts. It looks like a team still being assembled while the season has already arrived. Selection outlook ahead of Gtech Community Stadium trip There are no prizes for winning the transfer window. Tottenham have made their statement with spending. The opening job is simpler, turn up at the Gtech Community Stadium and look organised, fit and coherent. At the moment, the team news suggests De Zerbi may have to settle for something less than ideal. Brentford will not care. They rarely do. Kick-off is set for 5.30pm BST on Saturday, August 22, 2026.