Premier League: Assessing Spurs’ first five games

A new era at Tottenham Hotspur begins with a demanding opening run of Premier League fixtures, as Roberto De Zerbi prepares to take charge of his first competitive matches in north London.

After a summer of major investment and change, excitement is building among Spurs supporters ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The club have backed their new head coach with significant recruitment, adding quality and depth to a squad that already contains several established Premier League performers.

The arrival of players such as Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke has increased competition throughout the squad, while De Zerbi will also look to get the best out of key figures including Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and James Maddison.

Following the changes in the dugout, Spurs are expected to adopt a different style of football under De Zerbi. The Italian coach is known for his possession-based approach, encouraging his teams to dominate matches through technical quality, quick combinations and playing out from the back.

However, the opening weeks will provide an immediate examination of whether Tottenham can quickly adapt to their new manager’s ideas.

Spurs’ first five fixtures include trips to Brentford and Nottingham Forest, as well as home meetings with Newcastle United, Everton and Aston Villa, giving De Zerbi a mixture of tactical challenges against teams with different ambitions.

Here is a look at each fixture and what Tottenham supporters can expect.

Brentford vs Tottenham (A)

Tottenham’s first match of the De Zerbi era comes away at Brentford, with Spurs supporters eagerly awaiting the return of Premier League football following a summer of significant change.

There is huge anticipation surrounding the new season after the club invested heavily in strengthening the squad. The opening fixture will provide the first competitive opportunity to see how De Zerbi’s ideas translate onto the pitch and how quickly new arrivals settle into the team.

Brentford will provide a difficult opening test. The Bees have established themselves as a competitive Premier League side through excellent recruitment, organisation and tactical discipline.

For Spurs, controlling possession and dictating the tempo will be a key focus, but Brentford’s pressing, physicality and ability to threaten from set pieces will test De Zerbi’s side.

Recent meetings between the two clubs have generally favoured Tottenham, with Spurs winning three of the last five encounters. They secured a 2-0 victory in December 2025 before drawing 0-0 away from home in January 2026.

An opening-day victory would immediately increase optimism around De Zerbi’s project and provide the perfect start to a new chapter.

Last five meetings:

• Brentford 0-0 Tottenham (January 2026)
• Tottenham 2-0 Brentford (December 2025)
• Brentford 0-2 Tottenham (February 2025)
• Tottenham 3-1 Brentford (September 2024)
• Tottenham 3-2 Brentford (January 2024)

Tottenham vs Newcastle United (H)

Spurs’ first home fixture of the season sees Newcastle United visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a match that promises to be one of the most intriguing games of the opening weeks.

The fixture will be particularly significant for Sandro Tonali, who will face his former club for the first time since completing his move to Tottenham.

Tonali became a key figure during his time at St James’ Park, and his arrival represents Spurs’ ambition to add experience, quality and leadership to their midfield. The midfielder’s ability to control games could be crucial as De Zerbi looks to implement his possession-based philosophy.

The match will also be the first chance for Spurs supporters to watch their new signings in competitive action at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with excitement already high following the club’s summer recruitment.

Newcastle remain one of the Premier League’s most ambitious sides. Under Eddie Howe, they have developed into a team capable of competing for European places, combining physical intensity with attacking quality.

Recent meetings have been difficult for Tottenham, with Newcastle winning the last league meeting 2-1 at Spurs and also defeating them in the League Cup earlier in that season.

This fixture will provide an early indication of Spurs’ progress against one of the division’s strongest challengers.

Last five meetings:

• Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle United (February 2026)
• Newcastle United 2-2 Tottenham (December 2025)
• Newcastle United 2-0 Tottenham (League Cup, October 2025)
• Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle United (August 2025)
• Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle United (January 2025)

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham (A)

Tottenham’s third fixture takes them to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest, a side looking to rebuild following a difficult season.

Forest entered the 2025/26 campaign with high expectations after qualifying for Europe and finishing seventh the previous year. However, balancing domestic football with European commitments proved challenging, and they eventually finished 16th in the Premier League.

A major issue throughout the season was instability in the dugout. Nuno Espírito Santo was dismissed in September, Ange Postecoglou lasted only 39 days, Sean Dyche also departed, and Vítor Pereira became the club’s fourth manager of the campaign.

Despite their domestic struggles, Forest enjoyed a memorable Europa League run, reaching the semi-finals and producing some impressive performances on the continental stage.

Morgan Gibbs-White remained one of their standout players, continuing to provide creativity and attacking threat, and Spurs will need to be wary of Forest’s ability to hurt opponents in transition.

This fixture could be a tactical test for De Zerbi’s side. Tottenham are likely to dominate possession, but Forest’s pace and direct approach means Spurs will need to maintain defensive balance.

Recent history has heavily favoured Forest, with Tottenham losing each of their last three meetings, including two defeats by a 3-0 scoreline during the 2025/26 campaign.

Last five meetings:

• Tottenham 0-3 Nottingham Forest (March 2026)
• Nottingham Forest 3-0 Tottenham (December 2025)
• Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest (April 2025)
• Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham (December 2024)
• Tottenham 3-1 Nottingham Forest (April 2024)

Tottenham vs Everton (H)

Everton will be the visitors to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs continue their opening run of fixtures, with David Moyes’ side aiming to build on a positive campaign.

The Toffees finished 13th last season but remained in the race for European qualification until the final stages, narrowly missing out by four points.

Moyes has brought stability to Everton since returning to the club and will now be looking to take them another step forward, with the ambition of securing continental football and competing against Europe’s top sides at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton have several exciting players within their squad, including Iliman N’Diaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jordan Pickford and James Garner.

N’Diaye and Dewsbury-Hall were particularly influential last season, combining for 23 goal contributions across all competitions and expected to be important again.

For Spurs, this fixture could provide a different challenge compared to their opening games. Everton are likely to be organised and difficult to break down, meaning De Zerbi’s attacking players will need to show creativity and patience.

Tottenham have enjoyed recent success against Everton, winning three of the last five meetings, including a 3-0 victory at Goodison Park in October 2025.

Last five meetings:

• Tottenham 1-0 Everton (May 2026)
• Everton 0-3 Tottenham (October 2025)
• Everton 3-2 Tottenham (January 2025)
• Tottenham 4-0 Everton (August 2024)
• Everton 2-2 Tottenham (February 2024)

Tottenham vs Aston Villa (H)

Tottenham’s opening five fixtures conclude with one of their biggest tests as Aston Villa travel to north London.

Villa have continued their rise under Unai Emery, with the club firmly established among England’s strongest teams.

The 2025/26 season was another landmark campaign, with Villa finishing fourth in the Premier League to secure Champions League football and also lifting the Europa League after defeating Freiburg in the final.

Emery has created a squad capable of competing domestically and in Europe, and Villa have continued strengthening this summer with the additions of Johan Manzambi, João Gomes and Modou Kéba Cissé.

Manzambi arrived from Freiburg in a deal worth around £52 million, while João Gomes joined from Wolves for approximately £35 million. Cissé was also added from LASK as Villa continue to invest in their long-term squad development.

There have also been notable departures, with Youri Tielemans joining Manchester United and Donyell Malen moving to Roma.

This fixture could be the clearest indication yet of where Tottenham stand under De Zerbi. Villa already possess a clear identity and Champions League-level quality, making this a major test of Spurs’ progress.

Recent meetings have been challenging for Tottenham, with Villa winning four of the last five encounters.

Last five meetings:

• Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham (May 2026)
• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa (FA Cup, January 2026)
• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa (October 2025)
• Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham (May 2025)
• Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham (FA Cup, February 2025)

Excitement and anticipation are both building rapidly ahead of the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season, which is about to get underway, and all eyes will be on Roberto De Zerbi’s first full season in charge of the North London Club.

There is no better way to watch Tottenham Hotspur play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium than with an Eventmasters VIP Hospitality Package. Book now to avoid disappointment!