The 2025-26 season has been nothing short of a disastrous campaign for Tottenham Hotspur as they creep more into an unrecognised relegation battle after suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at home in their final Premier League game before the March international break. They stayed just above the drop zone in 17th, with just 30 points gathered in 31 matches so far, only because West Ham, who are just a point below them, lost to Aston Villa in the subsequent fixture. The result had big consequences with Spurs stripping Igor Tudor, who was on an interim basis anyway after assuming the role only in February 2026 following the dismissal of Thomas Frank, appointed in the summer last year. The former Juventus boss left without a Premier League win in the six games he managed, only gathering a point in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool. It added to the horrendous tenure of Thomas Frank, who had the worst winning percentage in the club's history with merely seven wins in 26 games. Now with only seven games left in the Premier League season, there is a real danger for the club that has not suffered relegation from the English club top-flight since 1976-77.
The North Londoners have since turned to former Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi to bail them out of the situation. The Italian has been one of the most reputed coaches after his excellent work at the Seagulls and also in the other top five leagues in Europe, with his brand of flair and flashy football giving interest to the fans and neutrals wherever he went. However, this job is nothing like the ones he managed before. Spurs also flirted with the relegation zone last season as they finished 17th, but they were 13 points clear at the end under Ange Postecoglou, who ended their long trophy drought by winning them the Europa League title. However, he was dismissed to bring in the former Brentford coach to establish his philosophy, which evidently went wrong with the club sinking further. Frank was appointed as a promising coach for his past achievements, like De Zerbi, so the former Marseille boss will be desperate not to end up like him. The club of Tottenham's structure simply cannot go down like that and De Zerbi has to do everything to turn a toxic dressing room into a cohesive unit that is ready to fight to the last breath for survival.
Remaining Premier League Fixtures of Tottenham
12 April 2026
Sunderland (Away)
18 April 2026
Brighton (Home)
25 April 2026
Wolves (Away)
2 May 2026
Aston Villa (Away)
9 May 2026
Leeds United (Home)
17 May 2026
Chelsea (Away)
24 May 2026
Everton (Home)
Tottenham’s final seven fixtures of the season will only get gruelling after the Nottingham Forest defeat, as they are still to face two fellow relegation battlers in Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United in the final seven games. Although the bottom-placed Wolves are the likelier side to go down, having amassed just 17 points, they have found a hot streak of form lately and have been impressive at their home, Molinuex, which won’t come as good news for Spurs as they will be travelling there to face them on 25th April 2026. Leeds United will be their opponents in the third-last fixture of the season as they welcome them at home on 9th May 2026. Daniel Farke’s side is currently placed above them in 15th with 33 points and a four-point cushion over the relegation zone.
That fixture will be absolutely crucial for the Lilywhites as they presently are three points behind the West Yorkshire club, with their opponents on that day also having a poor away record with just one win managed on the road all season, giving the host a slight upper hand in the tie. However, there are more games other than the relegation deciders that Tottenham need to worry about, especially the final two games of the season, as they will battle London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before wrapping up against Everton at home. Both sides are fighting for Europe, with five teams qualifying for the Champions League next season, opening the gates for the Blues, while the Toffees engage in a battle for Europa League football, if not the former.
But even before they could think about their daunting end to their campaign, which might seal their fate, the start of the crunching schedule could derail the train completely. De Zerbi’s return to the Premier League and the first match to kick-start his era with Tottenham is an away trip to Sunderland on 12th April 2026, before he reunites with his old side, Brighton & Hove Albion, as they welcome them to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the next weekend. Spurs will also face a top-four side in Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at the start of May. In all, De Zerbi needs a miracle for a side that is yet to win a game this year to start swinging games in their favour and click his style with the players in a hugely short period of time to avoid his side playing Championship football next season.
