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This week, when the FA Cup quarter-finals were played, Sunderland had rest and a positive training preparation for what will be their next match on April 12th against Tottenham Hotspur, waiting to compete against a team that is in decline in the Premier League.

At this point in the season, they are also focusing on the transfer window and following young players with promising projection who are fundamental for Black Cats.

On this occasion, the follow-up focuses on a young promise from Blackburn Rovers, who has caught the attention of the big teams in the Premier League, and even though the player's renewal with Blackburn has been confirmed, this does not prevent the teams from coming forward to seek his signing.

• More: Two Sunderland Stars on Alert as Club Considers Summer Departures

Sunderland Will Compete Against the Big Teams of the Premier League for Tom Atcheson

The TeamTalk newspaper confirmed that the player Tom Atcheson has been renewed by Blackburn Rovers, but that at the moment he is being followed by teams like Manchester United, Sunderland, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, among others.

At only 19 years of age, he is a great prospect for Northern Ireland. In the EFL Championship, he has already played 8 matches, accumulating 545 minutes as a central defender who, for his young age, is a promising player.

With big teams behind him like Manchester United and now Sunderland joining the follow-up of this player, it is ideal to think that one of these big Premier League teams will take the young promise.

With a market value as indicated by FotMob of €660K, it is the biggest attraction for the teams and hoping that this player has an important development throughout his career as a central defender.

Sunderland's priority in this position seems to remain the Colombian John Lucumi, but if they do not obtain the Bologna player, they continue evaluating options, and without a doubt, Tom Atcheson is a great candidate due to his sporting performance.

It will be indispensable for Sunderland during the transfer window, where they hope to compete positively next season in the Premier League. With a very positive moment for the team, they made clear their ambitions for the future, competing in a great way in their return season.

Now, rumors increase greatly for what will be the future of the team, with interesting players from the best leagues of Europe, where the investment that will be made will be large to obtain a broad and competitive squad.

In their sights, they seem to have a young player who would see an exit due to the moment his club is going through, hoping to have important minutes and greater protagonism in his career, so Sunderland closely follows this footballer.

• More: Sunderland and Newcastle Battle for €32M-Rated Manchester City Defender

Sunderland Seek to Obtain the Young Promise of Fulham, Harry Wilson

The TeamTalk newspaper has confirmed that Harry Wilson is in the sights of several Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland, and even Liverpool, who are seeking the Fulham attacker, who has been the great surprise of the season.

With this confirmation, a dispute between several Premier League teams would be sought to obtain this player, and, as indicated by Transfermark, he has played 34 matches in the current season, scoring 11 goals and providing 7 assists with Fulham.

A player who has become decisive and making clear his potential and how he has developed this to be important as a passer and goalscorer, what most catches the attention of the teams that follow him is his great adaptation to compete match after match when the team needs him.

For Regis Le Bris's squad, he would be an ideal piece in the team's offense, being able to have interesting associations with players like Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee, among others to have a more than complete attacking team.

His market value would be around €25M, as indicated by Transfermark, and this price is even more tempting for Black Cats, who would consider going all in for the attacker despite the great rivals they have to contend with to sign Harry Wilson.

Former Monaco manager Adi Hütter has insisted there is no truth to reports he could take charge of Tottenham Hotspur before the end of the season, although reports suggest Spurs have been handed a welcome boost in pursuit of their favored target, Roberto De Zerbi.

Igor Tudor left his post as interim manager on Sunday, just 44 days after replacing Thomas Frank, with Spurs sitting one point above the relegation zone with seven games left to play. Hütter was touted as a potential target before Tudor was hired and was reportedly still in the frame, but the Austrian has now put the speculation to bed.

“In recent days and weeks, I have been increasingly linked with various clubs,” Hütter said in a statement. “However, as I already stated immediately after my time at Monaco, I would prefer not to work as a head coach again until the start of the new season at the earliest.

“My position on this matter has not changed since then.”

Spurs did not waste long licking their wounds, however, as talks over their top target ramped up.

Roberto De Zerbi ‘Open’ to Tottenham Offer

Former Brighton & Hove Albion and Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has long been hailed as a key target for Spurs, whose battle against relegation has left the Italian incredibly reluctant to entertain an immediate switch. Up to this point, De Zerbi had been keen to wait until the end of the campaign.

Things now appear to have changed and Gianluca Di Marzio was first to reveal that De Zerbi is now prepared to listen to Spurs’ offer.

A five-year contract, including guarantees of significant backing in the transfer market in the summer, is on the table for De Zerbi, although the prospect of being tied into that agreement in the event of relegation still poses a major obstacle.

Spurs are thought to be wary of agreeing to a relegation release clause, but they could sweeten the deal with an enormous financial bonus if De Zerbi can lead the team to safety.

If De Zerbi cannot be convinced, Spurs will have to accept defeat in pursuit of any of their top targets. Mauricio Pochettino’s contract with the USMNT does not expire until after the World Cup, while Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola has vowed to see out the season with the Cherries.

Another interim boss could be appointed, with Spurs weighing up the appointment of a European coach alongside an assistant that is far more familiar with the club. Ryan Mason and Chris Hughton are among those linked.

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With seven games left of the 2025–26 season, Tottenham Hotspur have rolled the dice one final time.

Igor Tudor, hired to tidy up the mess left behind from the Thomas Frank era, has been relieved of his duties after just 44 days in charge, with the team one point clear of the relegation zone following the disastrous 3–0 defeat to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.

Spurs could even be in the relegation zone by the next time they take to the field. West Ham United, currently sitting 18th, face bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, two days before Spurs make the long trip up to Sunderland.

With the stakes as high as they have ever been, the Opta supercomputer has crunched the numbers on Spurs’ chances of Premier League survival.

Supercomputer Predicts Tottenham’s Chances of Relegation From Premier League

The two sides currently in 19th and 20th, Burnley and Wolves, are both seen as near-certainties to drop down to the second tier. Burnley’s relegation chances sit at 99.90%, surprisingly higher than the 99.88% afforded to Wolves.

Above them, however, things are far less clear.

Fortunately for Spurs, the supercomputer is still feeling somewhat confident about their chances of survival. The Lilywhites are given just a 27.00% chance of the drop, although that is nearly 24% higher than when former manager Thomas Frank departed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in early February.

Instead, it is West Ham United who are still staring relegation in the face. The supercomputer believes there is a 57.03% chance that Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are destined for the drop, although the margins are still perilously tight.

Just one point currently separates Spurs and West Ham, and it seems as though it could stay that way for the remainder of the season. One slip-up could change everything.

Tottenham’s Premier League Fixtures Compared to West Ham

Both Spurs and West Ham have a real mixed bag when it comes to their remaining fixtures.

The two teams both still have to play Wolves, whose league position is actually somewhat deceptive. Rob Edwards’s side have been impressive over the second half of the season but are being held down by a record-shatteringly awful start to the campaign from which there was never going to be any recovering.

Everton at home is also on the agenda for both teams, including on the final day for Spurs, while West Ham’s season ends with a visit from a Leeds side who will have traveled to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium just two weeks earlier.

Games against Chelsea and Aston Villa promise to be tough for Spurs, who will also not be relishing the prospect of facing Brighton and Everton sides still chasing a spot in Europe next season.

West Ham, meanwhile, will hope for maximum points from their next two games against Wolves and Crystal Palace, particularly as their next four fixtures all look very tough. Brentford and Everton are both just three points back from the Champions League spots as it stands, before a trip to an Arsenal side that could still be looking to confirm their place as title-winners. Going up to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle could be tricky, too.

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For some, this was a predictable outcome.

Igor Tudor has failed to see out his short-term contract at Tottenham Hotspur, lasting just seven games and 44 days in north London before his departure was confirmed by the club on Sunday.

The Croat replaced the mightily unpopular Thomas Frank with Spurs five points clear of the drop, and enjoying the buffer of several teams below them in the table. He departs after claiming just a single Premier League point with the Lilywhites sunk further into the mire.

Now, just a point separates the Europa League holders from an apocalyptic fate.

The decision-makers in north London don’t yet know which direction to turn, but Tudor’s position was deemed untenable after last week’s 3–0 defeat to a direct relegation rival, Nottingham Forest.

Whomever they opt to replace the mourning Croat has the unenviable task of keeping a club that perceives itself to be capable of breaking bread with Europe’s elite in the top flight. Here’s what Tottenham must do to avoid the drop after letting go of their interim manager.

Tudor arrived in N17 with plenty of sceptics, and those who claimed the 47-year-old was destined to fail because he “doesn’t know our game!”, the English one, that is, will undoubtedly be lapping up a grand sense of vindication right now.

And while the issues at Tottenham transcend merely the figure on the touchline, the club would be wise to acknowledge the error they made in appointing Tudor.

They trusted a recommendation of ex-sporting director Fabio Paratici, and believed the immediate impact Tudor has made elsewhere, not just in Italy, but in France with Marseille, too, would be felt in north London.

But it wasn’t to be. Tudor’s failure wasn’t solely down to a lack of Premier League nous, but given the situation Spurs are in, it’d seem wise to appoint a coach with either intimate knowledge of the club itself, or their current predicament.

They shouldn’t panic themselves into bringing forward the appointment of their next ’project’ manager. Instead, they would be better advised to run it back with Ryan Mason or try to tempt Robbie Keane over from Ferencváros. Swallowing your pride and trusting Sean Dyche, who got Everton out of the mire in 2022–23, wouldn’t be the worst idea either.

Now is not the time for Adi Hütter to enjoy his first experience of the English top flight.

Thomas Frank sapped the life out of a squad that entered 2025–26 riding a wave of momentum after that glorious night in the Europa League final.

The Dane’s soccer was turgid and bereft of courage, with Tudor constantly hinting throughout his brief reign that his players needed to shed their “bad habits” to stop the rot. The interim was unable to overcome all of Frank’s bad, and the next incumbent will surely struggle to facilitate a complete overhaul.

While there were at least positive moments under Tudor, most notably against Liverpool and Atlético Madrid (when everyone had the correct footwear) this remains a broken Tottenham squad without reliable leadership.

There was a sense that Tudor’s no-nonsense style wasn’t ideal for the vulnerable Lilywhites, who instead need some tender loving care. Harry Redknapp would’ve been the ideal solution 10 years ago, but the venerated former manager has been out of the game since 2017, and is more concerned with horses and reality television than soccer, even if he’d love to take the job on.

This is a talented enough group of players to stay up; there’s no doubt about that, but they’ve got to swiftly rediscover their love for a sport that’s been merciless to them as of late. Empowerment is key for the next manager. Spurs won’t low-block and grind their way to safety.

There’s a feeling pervading through factions of the Tottenham fanbase that some of the playing staff regard themselves as above the current peril. Reports claim that some players have explicitly expressed as much in the dressing room. A perceived lack of care has seen previous fan favorites widely slandered.

Micky van de Ven is among those to come under heavy scrutiny, with the Dutchman’s form falling off a cliff in 2026 after enjoying a stellar autumn. Van de Ven took offense to such claims, and laughed off the idea that any of the players had downed tools, knowing they’d be able to move on in the event of an unfathomable relegation anyway.

It certainly wasn’t a motivation issue last week against Forest. Tudor should’ve started Xavi Simons after his excellent performance against Atléti, and was made to pay for panicking at halftime with a double substitution. In the end, Spurs’ poor technical base was exposed by a stubborn Forest defense that had few issues containing the hosts in the second half.

This is a gifted squad, but an obviously imperfect one. Those regarded as the most talented have let their teammates down at times this season, including the revered pair of center backs, and no one should be deemed above the law when it comes to team selection for seven cup finals down the stretch.

Those who have floundered don’t deserve the chance to enjoy late-season salvation, especially once more players return from injury. Those who have offered blood, sweat and tears to the cause as of late, like Archie Gray and Mathys Tel, must be cherished. It’s these figures who’ll help Tottenham survive.

Tottenham haven’t won a Premier League game since Mohammed Kudus succumbed to a thigh injury at the start of 2026. It’d be an understatement to suggest the Ghanaian’s absence has been keenly felt, especially with dazzling playmakers James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski yet to play a single minute this season.

Frank’s Spurs boasted little else by way of attacking innovation other than giving the ball to the really good soccer player down the right-hand side. Kudus was all Frank had during his miserable reign, with the Lilywhites almost exclusively dependent on the summer arrival’s ability to resist pressure and beat a man to create any openings in the final third.

The decision not to add an attacker to their ranks in the winter, having sold Brennan Johnson and lost Kudus to injury, was mind-boggling, and has contributed to their demise.

On the bright side, Kudus is on the comeback trail and potentially in contention for Tottenham’s next game against Sunderland on April 12. Soon, Spurs will be able to give the ball to the really good soccer player down the right-hand side again.

Things should be O.K. as a result.

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In a desperate attempt to lure the divisive figure of Roberto De Zerbi to north London, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering offering the outspoken Italian coach a contract which includes a release clause in the event of relegation.

Igor Tudor’s disastrous interim reign had not yet been brought to a merciful conclusion by the time De Zerbi’s name was first floated as a potential alternative. Now that the Croatian boss has officially parted ways with the club, thoughts are even more keenly focused on his successor.

There is understood to have been a reluctance from De Zerbi to take over a team perched perilously above the relegation zone. To dissuade those concerns, there have even been discussions about including a release clause in the former Brighton and Marseille boss’s contract which would allow another club to extract him from his Spurs deal were they to get relegated under his watch, according to The Times.

De Zerbi is thought to be “amenable” to the idea of taking over Tottenham but only if another incumbent has successfully avoided relegation, BBC Sport report in the aftermath of Tudor’s exit. It remains to be seen whether this release clause option will be offered and if it will be accepted.

Tottenham are not in action again until April 12, when they travel to Sunderland for the first of their seven remaining Premier League matches. The club reportedly want to give their new coach—the club’s third of the season—at least 10 days to prepare for that match.

Even without taking into consideration this incredibly risky release clause proposal, talk of De Zerbi’s potential appointment has inspired widespread backlash from the Spurs fanbase.

Why Tottenham Fans Are Protesting Against Potential De Zerbi Appointment

Multiple Tottenham fan groups have joined forces to warn the club against appointing De Zerbi following his public defense of the controversial forward Mason Greenwood during their shared time at Marseille.

The former Manchester United winger did not play for the Premier League club again after being arrested in January 2022. He was subsequently accused of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Greenwood denied all accusations.

The U.K. Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges in February 2023 after “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction,” a spokesperson told the BBC.

Manchester United then conducted an in-house investigation which lasted until August 2023. At that point, the club claimed: “Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged.” However, it was decided that he would not play for United again. “As Mason publicly acknowledges today,” a statement at the time read, “he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for.”

Greenwood spent the 2023–24 season on loan at Spanish side Getafe before signing for De Zerbi’s Marseille in July 2024.

The ’No to De Zerbi’ Campaign

Before Greenwood had officially signed for Marseille, De Zerbi promised to publicly defend all his players “like [they were] my sons.” Earlier this season, the Italian coach described the forward as “a good person,” adding: “It saddens me what happened to him because I know a very different person from the one portrayed in England.”

These comments are among those to have inspired the ‘No to De Zerbi’ campaign launched by some Spurs supporters.

The Proud Lilywhites group, Women of the Lane and Spurs Reach all released statements criticizing De Zerbi’s defense of Greenwood.

“When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals,” The Proud Lilywhites group wrote.

Women of the Lane accused De Zerbi of statements which “downplays the seriousness of male violence against women and girls. That raises serious questions about judgement and leadership.” Spurs Reach argue: “Regardless of intent, framing of this nature risks normalising harmful attitudes, diminishing the experiences of survivors, and sending a deeply concerning message about what is tolerated within the game.”

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Tottenham Hotspur have twisted again in their bid to avoid a stunning relegation, as the club have parted ways with interim manager Igor Tudor after just 44 days.

Tudor joined Spurs last month in the wake of Thomas Frank’s departure on a short-term basis, but the Croat’s position was deemed untenable at a perilously critical juncture after earning just a single point from five Premier League outings.

His team, who looked to have turned a corner by drawing at Anfield and beating Atlético Madrid, were cast aside by direct relegation rivals Nottingham Forest 3–0 last week, and Spurs opted to cut ties with Tudor seven days on.

The direction a hugely unpopular board go next will be fascinating, with Tottenham’s third manager of a dismal 2025–26 campaign having the sole task of keeping the Lilywhites in the top flight. There are just seven games left, with Spurs 17th and just one point clear of the drop zone.

Here are how the next five Premier League games look for those fighting to survive.

Tottenham, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham’s Next Five Premier League Matches Compared

It was a delicate situation for Tottenham to navigate, as Tudor’s father, Mario, passed away last week. He’s returned home to mourn, and the club’s lengthy wait for their next Premier League outing meant they didn’t need to announce his departure at the start of the international break.

Whomever Spurs opt for as his replacement will make the long trip north for their first outing, with the Lilywhites facing Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on April 12. Brighton & Hove Albion visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the following week, before the capital club travel to Premier League basement dwellers Wolverhampton Wanderers, a team rejuvenated under Rob Edwards, but are all but assured of their place in the second tier next season.

May begins with a daunting trip to Aston Villa, currently scheduled to be a Saturday lunchtime kickoff, before Spurs host another critical relegation six-pointer, this time against a slumping Leeds United outfit.

Leeds took a few big strides towards safety over Christmas, but have been found wanting as of late. They’re winless in the top flight since Feb. 6, and Manchester United are up next for Daniel Farke’s side.

A trip to Bournemouth in late April also beckons, but they’ll hope to claim maximum points when Wolves and Burnley visit Elland Road.

Nottingham Forest have momentum on their side after winning handsomely in north London, and they’re being treated to back-to-back home games after the international break. Aston Villa and Burnley visit the City Ground before Forest travel to Sunderland and Chelsea.

The Tricky Trees also have the Europa League quarterfinals to navigate, with two games against Porto arriving on either side of the Villa clash. A home fixture against Newcastle United rounds off their upcoming slate.

West Ham will fancy their chances at home against Wolves after their FA Cup quarterfinal with Leeds, with a potential victory there boosting confidence ahead of two winnable fixtures away at Crystal Palace and home to an Everton side led by former boss David Moyes. The Toffees, however, have been excellent on their travels this season.

The Hammers will need to cash-in over the next few weeks, because May starts with a tricky trip to European hopefuls Brentford, then an encounter with Premier League leaders Arsenal at the London Stadium.

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In his typically inimitable style, Sean Dyche laughed off suggestions that he is in the running to replace Igor Tudor at Tottenham Hotspur, rubbishing numerous reports as “brilliant” examples of unfounded speculation.

Tottenham Hotspur are poised to appoint their third manager of a dismal 2025–26 season in short order, with Tudor likely to be let go next week after mourning the passing of his father, Mario.

Tudor has overseen four defeats and a draw in five Premier League outings, meaning Spurs are now 17th in the table and just a point clear of the drop zone. Relegation is no longer a fantasy that supporters can laugh off, but rather a frightening potential.

There had been signs of Tudor getting a tune out of a broken set of players, with a 3–2 victory over Atlético Madrid ensuring the Lilywhites entered their pivotal six-pointer against Nottingham Forest enthused. However, the 3–0 defeat that followed all but condemned Tudor, even if Spurs have little idea what direction to turn next.

An unpopular hierarchy has considered bringing their next long-term appointment forward to now, while supporters have called for someone familiar with the club to oversee their fight for survival. According to The Telegraph, Dyche is also being considered. According to the man himself, that isn’t likely to happen.

Dyche Recounts Hilarious Pub Encounter Over Spurs Job

“It’s brilliant, honestly,” Dyche responded when asked on a talkSPORT appearance about rumors tying him to the Tottenham job.

Speculation swirled on social media heading into the weekend, as images and clips of Dyche out and about in London surfaced. “I was in a pub just up the way near my place I’ve got down here and this guy goes, ‘Oh, you’re meant to be in talks with Spurs tonight.’

“I went, ‘Well, I’m sat next to you having a pint of Guinness, so it’s unlikely.’ I said, ‘Unless you work for Spurs and they’re in the Seven Stars pub having a pint of Guinness.’ I said, ‘It’s highly unlikely.’

“No I’m not, I’m with you mate and I’m on talkSPORT, that’s what I’m doing.”

A pivot to Dyche, who steered Everton to safety in 2022–23 but was recently sacked by Nottingham Forest, depicts Spurs’ perilous position and the desperation of a board that has little idea what they’re doing. Their Tudor gamble has backfired, and now they’re scrambling.

Tottenham’s ‘Preferred Candidate’ Is Hesitant

While plenty are still holding out hope that Mauricio Pochettino will return to oversee the “painful rebuild” he warned about in 2019, the U.S. men’s national team coach won’t be available until after the World Cup.

However, there will be no Poch reunion this summer if Spurs can appoint their preferred candidate to replace Tudor. Tottenham are trying to persuade former Marseille and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi—despite supporter backlash—but the Italian is adamant that he won’t take any job on until after the season’s conclusion, according to Sky Italia.

De Zerbi’s hesitance renders a Dyche pursuit more likely, although ex-Monaco coach Adi Hütter has also been linked with the role.

There should be greater clarity once Tottenham part ways with Tudor, if reports are accurate, on Monday.

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Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Dejan Kulusevski has been in high spirits over the international break, despite being sidelined since last May with a “complicated” knee injury.

Few would’ve expected the Swede to miss such a lengthy amount of time as a result of the setback, especially former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, who described Kulusevski’s issue as a “knock” at the time.

The 25-year-old’s collision with ex-Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi would not merely see him miss the 2025 Europa League final, but the entirety of the 2025–26 season so far as well. Potential return dates have been relentlessly bypassed, with a lack of communication from Spurs regarding Kulusevski’s recovery leaving supporters in the dark.

We still don’t know when the powerful playmaker could make his comeback, but Kulusevski seems to believe that the worst is over.

’Never Felt Better’—Kulusevski Remains Optimistic

An already fraught fanbase was sent into a tailspin at the start of the international break when videos emerged of Kulusevski walking with a limp as he spent time with the national team ahead of the UEFA branch of the World Cup playoffs.

The Spurs man provided clarity on Instagram in the aftermath, confirming that he underwent an “intervention” two weeks ago and said his knee is “great now.”

“I understand that people were worried. But it was really for the wrong reason,” he told Viaplay. “It was really positive that I did this little procedure and that we were able to find the problem.”

What exactly happened to Kulusevski’s patella remains unclear, with the most pessimistic drawing comparisons to the horrific injury Brazilian great Ronaldo sustained in 2000 that altered his career.

Kulusevski’s injury, while incredibly frustrating, isn’t believed to be quite so severe, and the 25-year-old, who’s previously credited the late, great Kobe Bryant and his ’Mamba Mentality’ as a major inspiration, remains optimistic over his outlook.

“Now everything should be solved. Now it's just a matter of slowly and surely coming back. I can see the light. It feels better now,” he added.

Will Kulusevski Play for Tottenham This Season?

Tottenham have sorely missed the creative presences of Kulusevski and James Maddison this season, with the latter tearing his ACL last August.

There’s hope that the Englishman will feature at some point down the stretch, boosting Spurs’ hopes of Premier League survival, but Kulusevski has another target in mind.

He is desperate to play at this summer’s World Cup, and Sweden will book their place at the tournament by beating Poland next Tuesday. Viktor Gyökeres’s hat-trick inspired a 3–1 victory over Ukraine in Thursday’s semifinal.

When asked if he sees himself playing for the national team in North America, Kulusevski confidently replied: “100%. Yes. That’s the driving force I have. To have that opportunity is absolutely fantastic. It’s a challenge that I haven’t been able to overcome so far in terms of getting healthy, but it’s not over yet.

“I’m absolutely convinced that we'll win these two games, and I’ll be ready to play and play my first World Cup in the USA. That’s how the movie will end, God willing.”

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The relegation fight in the Premier League took a major twist just before the March international break as the walls start closing in on one of the biggest clubs in England: Tottenham Hotspur.

Direct relegation rivals Nottingham Forest traveled to north London and destroyed Tottenham 3–0 on Sunday, overtaking them in the standings and putting the reigning Europa League champions on the brink of disaster.

Tottenham haven’t won in the league since December and have lost six of their last seven. There’s no other way around it, the ‘Big Six’ club’s form screams relegation.

Things could’ve been much worse for Spurs, though, but West Ham United also endured a painful defeat at the hands of Aston Villa and Nuno Espírito Santo’s side still occupy the third relegation place as things stand, one point behind Tottenham.

Leeds United would’ve liked to collect all three points, but a draw at home against Brentford saw them go four points clear of the relegation zone, getting a little breathing room from both Spurs and West Ham.

The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion of the relegation battle on the other side of the international break, one that could easily go until the final day. Here are how the next five Premier League games look for those fighting to survive.

Tottenham, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham’s Next Five Premier League Matches

Tottenham will make the trip north to face Sunderland after the international break, a mighty task for Spurs given the Black Cats are dreaming of European competitions after defeating bitter rivals Newcastle United. Brighton & Hove Albion will visit north London the following weekend before Spurs finish the month with a must-win trip to bottom of the league Wolverhampton Wanderers.

May begins with a daunting trip to Aston Villa, before Spurs welcome Leeds United in a clash that could have massive ramifications in the fight for survival.

A rivalry match against Manchester United is up next for Leeds. Then, a trip to face Bournemouth in late April is sandwiched by home games against Championship-bound Wolves and Burnley, two favorable matches the Peacocks could capitalize on to exit the relegation fight by the time their aforementioned visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium comes around.

Nottingham Forest will look to build on their thumping win against Spurs when Aston Villa and Burnley visit the City Ground after the break. Yet Forest also have business to attend to in Europe, with their Europa League quarterfinal tie against Porto also taking place between those two league matches.

Away days against Sunderland and Chelsea as the calendar turns to May won’t be easy for Vítor Pereira’s side, regardless of how inconsistent the pair of opponents have been in 2026. Then comes a home bout against the slumping Newcastle during the second weekend of May.

West Ham will like their chances at home against Wolves after the break and a victory there could boost morale for the Hammers ahead of winnable matches away at Crystal Palace and home against an Everton side led by former boss David Moyes.

It’s critical that West Ham secure a couple of positive results in their next three games, since May begins with a visit to European hopefuls Brentford and a home bout against Premier League title-chasing Arsenal.

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