Tottenham vs Newcastle: De Zerbi Seeks First League Points

Tottenham Hotspur walk back into Premier League duty on Saturday still nursing the scars of opening day. A 3-0 defeat at Brentford was a jolt, the kind of flat, shapeless performance that lingers. The response in midweek was fierce: a 5-1 Carabao Cup dismantling of Charlton Athletic that at least reminded everyone this side can move the ball, and hurt teams, when it clicks.

Now comes the real test. Newcastle United at home, under the lights, with Tottenham still searching for their first league points of the season. Roberto De Zerbi cannot afford another false start.

Injuries bite, creativity missing

De Zerbi goes into the game with his attacking plans heavily marked up in red ink.

• Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odebert are all out with knee injuries.
• Mohammed Kudus, one of the side’s major goal threats, is sidelined by a thigh problem.
• James Maddison, the natural conductor in this team, is expected to miss a couple of weeks after fracturing his shoulder.
• Pape Sarr is also a doubt with a thigh issue.

If he fails to make it, Tottenham lose another runner from midfield and a key pressing presence between the lines.

For a coach who builds his football on angles, rotations and technical quality in tight spaces, those absences cut deep.

Defensive reshuffle on the cards

The back line is likely to carry a different look from the one that folded at Brentford.

• Antonin Kinsky, fresh from keeping his place in the Carabao Cup win, is expected to continue in goal.
• In front of him, Pedro Porro is poised to step in at right-back after coming off the bench against Charlton, with youngster Archie Gray the man likely to drop out.
• At centre-back, Micky van de Ven is pushing to start after his substitute appearance in midweek.
• The Dutchman’s pace and aggression would add bite to a defence that looked passive on the opening weekend.
• He is in line to partner his compatriot Jan Paul van Hecke, forming a new-look central pairing.
• On the left, Andrew Robertson is currently ahead of Destiny Udogie in the pecking order.

The Scotland international’s experience and delivery from deep give De Zerbi a more measured option in a game that could swing on small margins.

Tonali faces former club in packed midfield

In midfield, the narrative writes itself. Sandro Tonali is set to start against his former club, anchoring a three that will be asked to control tempo and protect a still-settling defence.

Tonali is expected to line up alongside Mateus Fernandes and Conor Gallagher. Fernandes offers the metronome passing, Gallagher the legs and pressing aggression, Tonali the blend of vision and bite.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall wait in reserve if De Zerbi wants more control or a different profile from the bench, but the Italian coach looks ready to trust that trio from the off.

Savio stakes his claim

Up front, the midweek performance of Savio has forced the manager’s hand.

The Brazilian arrived from the bench against Charlton and lit the game up, scoring once and supplying an assist on his debut. That impact should earn him a start on the right of a front three, adding direct running and sharp movement in behind.

Through the middle, Richarlison remains the focal point. His hold-up play and penalty-box instincts will be crucial against a Newcastle side that rarely sits back. On the left, Mathys Tel offers pace and vertical threat, stretching defences and opening pockets of space for the midfield to exploit.

New loan signing Omar Marmoush, whose move from Manchester City was confirmed on Thursday, is expected to start among the substitutes. De Zerbi has attacking options to change the rhythm late on, even with so many absentees.

Predicted Tottenham XI

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting XI (4-3-3):

• Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Robertson; Fernandes, Tonali, Gallagher; Savio, Richarlison, Tel.

Kick-off time and TV details

Tottenham’s meeting with Newcastle United kicks off at 17:30 on Saturday, 29 August 2026.

In the UK, the game will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Tottenham have their first win of the season in the cup. Now the question is simple: can De Zerbi’s reshaped side turn that spark into a Premier League statement?