From Champions League winners to Championship runners-up, Tottenham Hotspur go pick themselves up and waka again when dem host Burnley for first Premier League gameweek of 2025-26 season on Saturday.
Thomas Frank’s boys nearly win UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday against Paris Saint-Germain, while Burnley lose their last two pre-season friendlies.
Match Preview
Tottenham nearly add another silverware on Wednesday, as after 17 years waiting, dem dey minutes away from winning two European titles in four months.
Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero score, but Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos replies force penalty shootout, where Van de Ven and Mathys Tel miss and PSG win. Tel don suffer racial abuse online since.
Despite that painful defeat, Frank and team fit reflect on positives after going toe-to-toe with European champions — promising sign ahead of their mission to improve on last season’s poor 17th-place Premier League finish.
Records favour Spurs, as dem don host promoted team on opening weekend twice before and win both — against Ipswich Town (2000) and Aston Villa (2019).
But reigning Europa League winners never keep clean sheet in 13 straight Premier League matches, their longest run since 2010, so defensive lessons fit dey needed from visitors.
Burnley defensive coach Scott Parker’s influence show last season, as Clarets concede only 16 goals in 46 Championship games — record for English football — and keep 30 clean sheets.
But dem still become first English team to score 100 points in season but no win title, though Premier League promotion be ultimate prize.
For Premier League, Burnley dey concede in last 20 matches, and dem lose last three opening games in top-flight. Visitors never win any of last nine away games to Spurs, only once draw 1-1 in 2017-18 at Wembley.
Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions): L
Burnley pre-season form: W D W D L L
Team News
Tottenham go miss seven injured players: James Maddison (ACL), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Kota Takai (foot), Manor Solomon (calf), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Destiny Udogie (knee), Bryan Gil (knee). Yves Bissouma miss UEFA Super Cup due to lateness but fit play Saturday.
Dominic Solanke return from ankle problem and fit start as Frank switch back to attacking setup.
Burnley coach Scott Parker talk say squad dey “pretty full,” though long-term absentees Zeki Amdouni (ACL) and Benson Manuel (Achilles) still dey sidelines.
Zian Flemming, Bashir Humphreys, Jordan Beyer, Connor Roberts, and new signing Martin Dubravka don recover; Dubravka fit start in goal if shoulder fine. Kyle Walker likely go form part of defence; Armando Broja fit still dey benched.
Possible Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kudus, Bergvall, Johnson; Solanke
Burnley: Dubravka; Walker, Esteve, Ekdal, Hartman; Cullen, Ugochukwu; Edwards, Hannibal, Anthony; Foster
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Burnley
Burnley defensive exploits for Championship no mean dem go replicate Premier League, though dem hold own against Lazio in final friendly. Midweek fatigue fit affect Spurs, but we believe Frank’s men go break through and start season well, even if e no go pretty.