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There are so often pivotal weekends in a football season that significantly change the outlook of a campaign or alter the title race or relegation picture in a major way. Without wanting to sound hyperbolic, there's a chance this could be one of those weekends.

An international break awaits and whatever the results of this weekend, teams will have to sit and stew or enjoy the fruits of their labour for the next two weeks before the next opportunity arises. While seven matches will still remain after this weekend's latest round of games, the mood music around some clubs could be significant depending on results.

At this stage it is ifs and buts, as we await to see what happens but with two relegation-threatened teams meeting tomorrow, it's hard to escape a defeat for either Tottenham Hotspur or Nottingham Forest isn't going to have a significant effect on their morale and belief for the run-in. It's a point Alan Shearer agrees with, with the former Premier League winner going as far as to say whichever of those teams loses the meeting between the pair on Sunday afternoon, they will be relegated.

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Certainly a victory for Leeds United this evening over Brighton at Elland Road would put Daniel Farke's side back in a commanding position with a six-point advantage over Forest and five over Spurs, not to mention six over West Ham who travel to Aston Villa on Sunday.

For Shearer, it's the game at the Tottenham Stadium which will determine the outcome of the relegation battle.

"Spurs got a really good result at Liverpool last week and deservedly got a point. Out of small crumbs you get a little bit of confidence," he told Betfair.

"The result last week and the result on Wednesday, albeit they went out of the Champions League, and it wasn't enough to get them through, I think the bigger picture for Spurs is just surviving this season.

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"They'll take great confidence from that, and it should set them up nicely for their home game against Nottingham Forest. But in those games, I guess they had no real pressure because most people thought they were going to go out. But the pressure intensifies at the weekend against Nottingham Forest.

"Having said that, the confidence and the belief they should take from the last two games should set them up nicely and it’ll be really interesting to see what happens at the weekend.

"It’s highly likely whoever loses between Tottenham and Nottingham Forest on Sunday will be relegated this season. That's what's at stake for the loser. Whoever loses at the weekend, there's a massive chance that they're going to be relegated."

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Relegation fears and individual errors

Vicario’s struggle for form reflects Tottenham’s dire season, with the club currently sitting 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone. His recent 1-1 draw against Liverpool highlighted these issues when he conceded a free-kick, drawing stinging criticism from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher. "He is a free-kick specialist, but I tell you what, Tottenham don't have a goalkeeping specialist," Carragher remarked. "That's awful, absolutely shocking from the goalkeeper. The reason why the other fella [Antonin Kinsky] played in midweek is because he's not good enough... Tottenham have got huge problems in goal."

The lure of the Champions League finalists

Despite Tottenham’s recent struggles, Pagliuca insists that the goalkeeper's reputation remains intact. However, the lure of a club competing at the very highest level of European football might be too strong to ignore for the Italian, who moved to North London from Empoli in the summer of 2023. Speaking to Calciomercato, the legendary shot-stopper highlighted the prestige of the Italian giants as a major factor in any decision.

Pagliuca said: "He couldn’t make a better decision. If a team that’s just reached the Champions League final calls you, how can you say no? Now he’s had a bad season, he hasn’t performed as well as in his first year, but we’ve seen that the whole team has had problems, they changed coaches, then he was replaced in the Champions League, and whoever took his place has been disastrous."

Analysing the Italian's profile

While Vicario has faced criticism for his recent form in England — having conceded 62 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions for Tottenham this season— Pagliuca believes his fundamental traits make him an ideal "transfer opportunity" for Inter. This comes at a time when La Gazzetta dello Sport recently identified Vicario as a leading candidate to succeed Michele Di Gregorio at Juventus. Despite the scrutiny, the veteran analyst noted that while there is room for improvement, the 29-year-old remains one of the premier talents in the Italian goalkeeping pool.

“Vicario is definitely one of the best Italian goalkeepers around," Pagliuca explained. "He’s not a top player yet, but I think if he were to actually arrive, it would be a choice that goes beyond his nationality. Vicario will be chosen for his profile and that’s it. And it really seems like a transfer opportunity. Vicario is very good between the posts. His weakness is his inability to come off the line.”

Timing is key for Tottenham exit

From a strategic perspective, the upcoming summer window represents a logical time for Tottenham to consider a sale. Vicario is contracted until 2028, but with his value potentially peaking before his final years, Spurs may look to capitalise on the significant interest currently brewing in Italy.

Pagliuca also reflected on the goalkeeper's journey so far, noting: "He played in the world’s top league, at a club that a few years ago was aiming to win the Premier League. Last year he won the Europa League, even though this year they’re almost at risk of relegation." For both the player and the club, a fresh start in Milan could be the most beneficial outcome for all parties involved.

LEGENDARY Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Pat Jennings is set to appear at an event in Cradley Heath.

Jennings, who was nominated for football's top individual accolade - the Ballon d'Or - in 1973, 1975, and 1985, is set to appear at an event at Cradley Heath Sports & Social Club on Upper High Street.

'An evening with Pat Jennings' will take place on Thursday, March 26 and will be hosted by Sportsnight Events and Memorabilia.

The event will include a two-course meal, a meet-and-greet with the former Arsenal and Tottenham goalkeeper, and a question-and-answer session hosted by ex-Tottenham and Chelsea midfielder Micky Hazard.

During a career that spanned over two decades, Jennings represented Watford and Everton and made over 700 appearances of North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.

Jennings also made over 100 appearances for Northern Ireland.

Tickets for the event are available for purchase on the Sportsnight Events and Memorabilia website.

Sherwood raises relegation alarm for Spurs

Sherwood has delivered a brutal assessment of Tudor’s brief tenure. The former Juventus manager was appointed as interim boss in early February, but the anticipated new manager bounce has drastically failed to materialise amidst growing relegation fears.

Tottenham currently sit in 16th on 29 points from 29 matches, hovering dangerously just one point above both Nottingham Forest and West Ham United. Adding to the misery, Spurs have lost their last five matches, contrasting sharply with West Ham, who have collected eight points recently from two wins, two draws, and a defeat.

Reality of Premier League hits Tudor

Sherwood believes the harsh reality of English football has completely caught Tudor off guard, with the ex-Juve boss having lost all three of his games in charge at Spurs to date. Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Spurs midfielder and coach stated: "I think he's been slapped straight in the face by the competition in the Premier League. It ain't easy. This is a tough competition."

He further criticised Tudor's demeanour, suggesting the boss lacks the necessary experience. "He looks lost at times on the touchline; he knew nothing about it," Sherwood added. "He's gone from, 'I 100 per cent guarantee we spend next season in the Premier League', to, 'the players are not fit enough, we're not good in attack, we're not good in the middle, we're not good at the back, we need our injured players back to fitness'."

Call for a supportive managerial approach

With only nine games remaining to secure their Premier League status, Sherwood argues an authoritarian style is exactly what the Spurs dressing room does not need right now. He insists the coach must stop making excuses, stating: "You've got to get on with what you've got. Forget all that nonsense. Concentrate on the players who are fit at the moment and try and give them a lift. You don't get that bounce by having a stick and whacking them with it. Not if the downside looks like relegation. You have to give them a cuddle. You have to find the best solution. You have to give them an easy solution to how we're going to play. This is how we play."

Hoddle hints at potential Tottenham return

As the crisis deepens at the stadium, names from the club’s past are beginning to surface as potential saviours. Glenn Hoddle, a true club icon who previously managed the team between 2001 and 2003, has admitted he would be open to returning to help his boyhood team escape their current predicament.

Speaking on the "Could It Be Magic" podcast before Spurs' defeat to Crystal Palace on Thursday, the 68-year-old reflected on his connection. "I think it would actually [appeal]," Hoddle stated. "Particularly with Tottenham, as that's my club. I've supported them since I was eight years of age. So they were a massive part of my life."

He added on his first stint as manager: "Politically and financially, there wasn't money there. Certainly, it wasn't what they told me I was going into."

Tudor will hope to ease the pressure on his shoulders when Spurs return to action away at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday night.

Tottenham face the prospect of playing their crunch relegation clash against Crystal Palace in front of thousands of empty seats on Thursday.

Spurs face Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a huge game in their battle to climb away from danger at the bottom of the Premier League.

Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Fulham leaves Spurs just four points above the relegation zone and still winless in 2026.

A combination of their poor form, ticket prices and an 8pm kick-off on a Thursday means thousands of tickets remain available to purchase for the Palace game.

Spurs have struggled to sell out several home fixtures this season, with noticeable empty seats against Newcastle, Copenhagen, Villarreal and Borussia Dortmund.

But the prospect of empty seats against Palace is not ideal at a time when the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) says “the team needs support more than ever”.

Unlike against Newcastle, the club have opened the ticket exchange meaning supporters can resell their tickets for the Palace game.

That move that has been welcomed by the THST, who have additionally called for supporters to get behind the team as they look to put distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

"Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust is pleased that the club has listened to our feedback and opened its ticket exchange platform for the Palace and Nottingham Forest matches, despite neither selling out,” a THST spokesperson told Standard Sport.

“We asked the club to do this before the Newcastle match and were disappointed when they chose not to. The empty seats in the stadium for that match were visible for all to see.

“Whilst we don't doubt that there will be empty seats for Palace, the team needs support more than ever during the current moment. We're pleased the club is listening and recognises the importance of filling the stadium with Spurs supporters."

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Tottenham Hotspur are in grave danger of a shock relegation from the Premier League.

Spurs are just four points above the drop zone and still looking for their first domestic win of the calendar year, having taken only four points from a possible 27 so far in 2026.

The North London club appointed former Juventus boss Igor Tudor as head coach this month after sacking Thomas Frank, as they aim to avoid their first relegation for half a century.

Staggering financial cost of relegation for Spurs revealed

The sight of Spurs' world-class Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosting Championship football would be hugely embarrassing for a club who reached the Champions League final in 2019 and won the Europa League less than 12 months ago.

In fact, Tottenham are so ill-prepared for playing in the second tier that their players reportedly do not have salary-reduction clauses in their contracts - and that is just one of the ways relegation would hurt their finances.

Analysis by BBC Sport and football finance expert Kieran Maguire estimates that Spurs' annual revenue would fall by an enormous £261m if they start next season in the Championship.

The report claims that Tottenham's broadcast, matchday and commercial income combined would drop from £609m in the Premier League to £348m in the second tier.

According to the BBC, Spurs currently earn £128m from broadcast revenue in the top flight, but this figure would plunge to cover only the £45m parachute payment awarded to teams relegated to the Championship.

Tottenham will also miss out on European football next term - unless they win this season's Champions League - which would see them lose out on at least £71m.

Meanwhile, Spurs' matchday revenue is estimated to fall from £131m to £79m if they go down, with their commercial income set to drop from £279m to £224m.

The cost of relegation is frightening for a club whose most recent wage bill was reportedly £254m - more than £200m above the Championship average of £38m - and who still owe £337m in outstanding instalments towards transfer fees for current players, according to the BBC.

And even if Spurs were promoted back to the Premier League at the first attempt, Maguire warned that the financial impact would be felt for years to come.

He said: "For a club of Spurs' ambitions and financial scale, relegation would not simply be a short-term sporting setback. The economics of English football make recovery a multi-year project."

Clubs hunting for an interim manager mid-season have often activated the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer model.

Solskjaer at Manchester United was what ChatGPT might offer up as the ideal candidate for a temporary stint in charge.

Pre-existing links to the club? Tick. A unifying figure for the fans? Tick. A 'go out and have fun lads' attitude in contrast to the previous regime? Full house.

Tottenham have previously deployed the same line of thinking, based seemingly on vibes above all else. Twice in the space of three seasons they turned to Ryan Mason.

Had Matt Wells still been at Spurs, rather than leaving in December to take charge of Colorado Rapids, perhaps he would have been the latest internal appointment.

Instead, Spurs have left the well-trodden path. With the stakes now much higher, they have gone rogue.

Spurs sit 16th in the table and five points off the bottom three. Igor Tudor is the man they have tasked with keeping them in the Premier League.

It is a significant risk. Tudor has no experience of Spurs or English football more generally, and is now thrown into the cauldron to lead a team with two wins in their last 17 Premier League matches.

Once Spurs decided to go down the interim route, Edin Terzic and Marco Rose were on the shortlist. Robbie Keane was a contender too.

The club wanted someone with track record of making an immediate impact and Tudor is an interim specialist. The choppier the waters, the more comfortable the 47-year-old is.

This will be the ninth time the Croatian has joined a club mid-season. Taking charge of Udinese in 2018, after the club had lost ten straight Serie A matches, Tudor led them to seven points from four matches. A year later he returned to steer them clear of relegation again.

Tudor arrived at Lazio in March 2024 and won six of his 11 matches in charge. At the same time of the season a year later, he lost only one of his first nine Juventus games.

Thomas Frank was unable to stamp his authority on this Spurs dressing room and there is a danger that an interim boss lacks the status to change that.

We all got acquainted with someone who was coarse and blunt. In his manners and words, he was authoritative. We were all a bit shocked.

Dimitri Payet

Cristian Romero was outspoken and caused problems for Frank. If and when survival is secured, the World Cup will likely be viewed as an increasing priority for many, particularly Romero.

With the players knowing Tudor will be gone in the summer, there is no guarantee he will get the buy-in he wants.

However, the Croatian can be expected to shake things up. Training will be tough and he is an intense character. The Spurs players will have a rocket fired up them.

Tudor is not one to come in and just get the squad smiling. Dimitri Payet, who played under Tudor at Marseille, remembered: "We all got acquainted with someone who was coarse and blunt.

"In his manners and words, he was authoritative. We were all a bit shocked."

Tudor likes to play a back-three system. Whether that remains the case at Spurs, where keeping that many defenders fit has been a challenge, remains to be seen.

On paper, it will be a stark contrast to what Frank served up this season. Tudor has played front-footed, attacking football, with pressing a key emphasis.

Trying to implement that with a squad creaking with injuries will be a major challenge. A north London derby at home to Arsenal on Sunday will be a test of just how brave Tudor is feeling and just how much confidence he has in the players.

Spurs sources have insisted the interim boss will be considered for the permanent job but Tudor is not one to hang around. Only once has he lasted more than a year in a dugout.

Even a job well done here - moving Spurs up towards mid-table and perhaps reaching the Champions League quarter-finals - is unlikely to earn him the full-time gig.

All signs point towards Spurs moving for Mauricio Pochettino. He has made it clear he wants to return but even his loyalty, surely, does not extend to being a Championship manager.

Tudor, a man well-accustomed to chaos and upheaval, must ensure there is still an appealing baton to pass on in the summer.