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Tottenham have finally turned a corner this season, with Roberto De Zerbi's plan coming to fruition at just the right time.

After unluckily losing to Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, Spurs were slightly unlucky again a week later when Georginio Rutter's last-gasp goal denied them all three points against Brighton & Hove Albion.

A hard-fought 1-0 win over Wolves ensured Tottenham finally picked up their first win of 2026 last week and they followed that up with their first back-to-back victories since the first two games of the 2025/26 season with a terrific 2-1 win away at Aston Villa - a result which saw them climb out of the relegation zone in the Premier League.

Six Tottenham Players Were On Top Form Against Aston Villa

Now their destiny is back in their own hands, no longer relying on other teams to drop points to save them from relegation to the Championship.

De Zerbi has given a number of players a new lease of life, with Conor Gallagher and Rodrigo Bentancur particularly impressive in the win over Villa on Sunday.

They were not the only ones, however. Joao Palhinha was superb in the two in midfield alongside Bentancur - a partnership that was often derided by fans when Thomas Frank utilised the pair of them. Pedro Porro was at his imperious best defensively and in an attacking sense, while Richarlison ran his heart out and got the all-important second goal while Randal Kolo Muani finally showed Spurs fans the quality they have been waiting to see all season.

But while there are undoubtedly many plus points, as Spurs look to fend off relegation to the Championship, there are those who have been pushed to the side under De Zerbi and one of those players can feel very harshly treated.

For much of a desperately disappointing season, Archie Gray was the standout Tottenham player, always giving 100%, always standing up to be counted and showing the more senior players at the club what they should be doing.

He is a hugely talented footballer and everyone has been able to see why Spurs splashed out £40million to sign him from Leeds United in 2024.

Archie Gray Has Found Minutes Hard To Come By Under De Zerbi

But after starting the defeat to Sunderland, playing 62 minutes under De Zerbi, he was only on the bench against Brighton, playing the final 33 minutes of the contest. He was on the bench for the wins of Wolves and Villa too, but was an unused substitute in both.

For a player who was central to what Spurs were doing to be cast aside seems very harsh indeed, but you cannot question the decisions De Zerbi has made since he has arrived at the club. And Gray's time will come...again.

De Zerbi has appeared to favour the energy, the pressing, tackling, intensity and passion of Gallagher and Palhinha and the positioning and middle man pivot presence of Bentancur over Gray so far.

That is entirely understandable. Tottenham have needed results and quickly. If Spurs do stave off relegation and remain a Premier League club, Gray will undoubtedly be given his chance under the Italian and could well be a key player with his ball-playing ability and his willlingness to show for the ball and break the lines with his passing.

For now he has to remain patient and remember the impact he has already made at such a young age.

Tottenham only need two points from their remaining three games to avoid relegation from the Premier League. At least that's the view of Alan Shearer, who has suggested Spurs are now favourites to avoid the drop after their impressive win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Spurs moved out of the Premier League bottom three thanks to a 2-1 win over the Villans at Villa Park, coupled with the boost they received of nearest relegation rivals West Ham losing 3-0 away at Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

Roberto De Zerbi's side were brilliant against the Champions League-chasing Villa, recording back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two games of the season.

Final Few Fixtures Give Tottenham The Edge

The results mean Spurs are now one point above the Hammers in 17th place in the table with three games of the 2025/26 season to play.

The two teams head into what could be a pivotal weekend next weekend, with West Ham taking on league leaders and title-chasing Arsenal at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, before Tottenham play host to Leeds United in N17.

If the Hammers lose and Spurs win, the Lilywhites would move four points clear with only two games left to play - which would be a monumental shift, but there are sure to be more twists and turns to come in the relegation battle.

And Shearer believes that a win against Leeds next week will probably be enough to save Spurs from relegation.

Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, the former Newcastle United striker analysed the fixtures and thinks the Hammers will only pick up three points against Leeds on the final day, which may be too late.

He said: "That's a big, tough weekend for West Ham, after being beaten quite convincingly, and then having to sit through that Tottenham game and watch how good Tottenham were. And I think with West Ham, with their games coming up, their next two are Arsenal at home and Newcastle away, I think I'm right in saying and they finish with Leeds.

Shearer Fears For West Ham In Relegation Battle

"I think there's probably three points there for West Ham over the next three games. So it's been a terrible weekend for West

Ham.

"The best chance of getting three points, I think, is that last home game. Whether that's going to be enough or not, I don't know, but it's tough for them now."

Tottenham have a one-point advantage and are ten goals better off when it comes to goal difference too, which is effectively another point on the board.

Shearer does not think that the Hammers will get anything from games against Arsenal and Newcastle, so if Tottenham can pick up three points against Leeds, according to Shearer, they would be safe.

Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest are involved in a fierce Premier League relegation battle, with Gary Lineker issuing his verdict on who the 'favourites' are to stay up.

The Tottenham, West Ham and Nottingham Forest battle took another twist over the weekend as Nuno Espirito Santo's Irons were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Brentford on Saturday, leaving Spurs knowing that a win would be enough to take them out of the drop zone when they travelled to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Unai Emery made seven changes to his team following the Europa League semi-final tie against Forest on Thursday night, and the hosts were poor as Roberto De Zerbi recorded his second successive win as the north Londoners ran out comfortable 2-1 winners.

Forest moved five points clear of the relegation zone with their 5-0 thrashing of Sunderland 10 days ago, but now that gap is down to just three ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Monday night.

It is looking increasingly likely that it may take more than 40 points for survival this season, which means Forest may need one win from their final four games to stave off the threat of relegation to the Championship.

Lineker: Tottenham 'Favourites' to Survive

Ahead of Nottingham Forest's clash with Chelsea on Monday night, West Ham are in 18th position with 36 points, Tottenham are a place above on 37 points, with the Tricky Trees in 16th on 39 points.

Crystal Palace and Leeds come next on 43 points, which should be more than enough to keep both in the Premier League for another season.

Speaking on the latest Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker went through the remaining fixtures of Tottenham and West Ham and named the former as the 'favourites' to stay up, while acknowledging Forest aren't completely out of trouble yet.

The presenter said: "Let's have the fixtures. West Ham, I mean, Arsenal at home, as tough as he gets. Newcastle away, they should get three points [he joked]. Well, Newcastle, you know, finally got a win, and Leeds at home. Leeds are probably safe, not quite mathematically yet.

"And then Spurs' fixtures, Leeds at home... big game. Well, they're all big now, Chelsea away, and then Everton at home on the last day of the season. Both Everton and Chelsea are most likely to be chasing some kind of European football, so not easy either.

"But yes, you would look at those and think Spurs having a point advantage as well are probably favourites to stay up now."

More Twists and Turns to Come

While it is easy to look at the fixtures and make predictions, you can't help but feel there are more twists and turns to come in this relegation fight.

Firstly, West Ham actually have a half-decent record against Arsenal in recent years despite the fact they are going for the Premier League title, while Newcastle have shown their vulnerabilities in recent months despite the win against Brighton on Saturday.

Chelsea away will be a tough one for Tottenham, with the Blues surely being keen to send their London neighbours down to the Championship, while Leeds have been impressive and David Moyes knows how to get results.

Forest also may have a Europa League final to focus on if they beat Aston Villa on Thursday, which could be distracting during the run-in.

It's going to be exciting and tense, but Tottenham have certainly given themselves a huge boost with seven points from the possible nine available.

The battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League took another twist at the weekend, with results this time going in Tottenham Hotspur's favour.

After picking up their first win of 2026 last week with a narrow 1-0 victory away at already relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers, Spurs made it back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two games of the season with a priceless 2-1 triumph away at Aston Villa.

Tottenham had been handed a major boost having seen their closest relegation rivals West Ham get beaten 3-0 by Brentford on Saturday afternoon, opening the door to the Lilywhites.

Their win over Villa means Spurs are now outside the bottom three, leading the Hammers by one point in the battle to avoid the drop to the Championship.

It has also brought Nottingham Forest back into the equation slightly, with Vitor Pereira's side now just three points above the drop zone, albeit with a game in hand. That game in hand comes at Stamford Bridge on Monday afternoon.

With just a few fixtures left in the 2025/26 season, GIVEMESPORT analyses the run-ins of the three teams who are in danger of demotion to the Championship.

Nottingham Forest Target Six Points From Four Games

As we mentioned above, Forest have four games to play, having not played their weekend fixture just yet.

First up, as we've said, it's Chelsea away on Monday afternoon. The Blues are winless in their last five matches and Forest could be targeting three points, albeit with one eye on their UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg against Villa to come on Thursday.

After that, Forest host Newcastle United on Sunday, May 10, before a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on Sunday, May 17.

Forest's final game of the season is at home to Bournemouth, who may be chasing a European spot.

Six points keeps Forest up, given their superior goal difference to West Ham, and they will be targeting the home games against the Magpies and the Cherries to get the job done.

May 4 - Chelsea vs Forest

May 10 - Forest vs Newcastle

May 17 - Man Utd vs Forest

May 24 - Forest vs Bournemouth

Tottenham Have Key Home Games

Spurs have put themselves in the driving seat - at least when it comes to the battle between them and West Ham - by beating Aston Villa away and moving out of the drop zone.

A home game with Leeds United comes next week - on Monday night - and they know they could move further out of trouble with a win because of the fixture the Hammers have on the Sunday afternoon - more on that shortly.

Then it's a midweek fixture away at Chelsea, which looks tough on paper because Spurs never win at Stamford Bridge, but in the mess the Blues find themselves in, Spurs will fancy a result.

Then, on the final day, it's Everton at home. The Tofffees are one of the teams Spurs have a very strong record against in the Premier League and if they need a win, they will go into it with confidence.

May 11 - Tottenham vs Leeds

May 19 - Chelsea vs Tottenham

May 24 - Tottenham vs Everton

West Ham Have The Toughest Looking Run-In

The Hammers are now in the bottom three and looking up at those above them and wondering if they will be able to fight their way out of trouble.

Next weekend they are at home, but face probably the toughest home match of all against league leaders Arsenal, who are gunning for the title.

After that, the Hammers make the long trip to St James' Park to take on a Newcastle side who were in the mire but picked up a much-needed three points against Brighton on Saturday.

Then, if it comes dow to it, West Ham play host to Leeds United on the final day of the season. That looks to be their easiest route to points between now and the end of the campaign, but will it be enough?

May 10 - West Ham vs Arsenal

May 17 - Newcastle vs West Ham

May 24 - West Ham vs Leeds

Tottenham Hotspur moved out of the Premier League relegation zone and boosted their chances of staving off relegation to the Championship as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park on Sunday.

Tottenham made the trip to the Midlands knowing that a win would take them out of the drop zone and above West Ham United, after the Irons were beaten 3-0 by Brentford on Saturday.

Spurs are now one point above their London neighbours going into the final three games, and they have put the pressure on Nottingham Forest ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Monday night.

Vitor Pereira's men are now just three points above the bottom three with three games to go, with it looking like it could be a genuine possibility that more than 40 points could be needed to guarantee survival.

Tottenham's next game is a huge one at home to Leeds United that could see them reach 40 points with two games to go, and they will be hoping for a rare favour from Arsenal, who face West Ham at the London Stadium prior to their kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night.

Leeds are in 14th on 43 points and will feel that they are safe ahead of the trip to north London.

Gallagher 'Amazing' in Tottenham Win Against Villa

Tottenham fans will have been unsure about whether Gallagher was the right signing for the club after his first few months in a white shirt, where he underwhelmed as the club's long winless run of 2026 went on and on.

The £200,000-a-week midfielder began to see his starts limited under Igor Tudor, but he has looked a different player since Roberto De Zerbi took charge.

The Italian clearly likes the Englishman and has put his arm around him to try and engineer some better performances out of him, and it's worked.

Not only was the 26-year-old everywhere and like a man possessed at Villa Park, but he also scored his first goal for the club to give them lead against Unai Emery's side.

Post-match, De Zerbi called him 'amazing' and said when he is starting it is like having 12 players, which is quite the compliment.

De Zerbi Must Build Around Bentancur

While Gallagher was pivotal to Tottenham's win in the Midlands, it is his midfield partner Rodrigo Bentancur that De Zerbi must build his Spurs team around to lift them back up the Premier League table.

Tottenham's winless run extended from December 28 until April 25 and of those 15 matches, Bentancur was only available for four of them.

Since his return from a hamstring injury, Spurs have taken seven points from a possible nine, and it was almost nine from nine before Georginio Rutter's late equaliser for Brighton and Hove Albion.

Unsurprisingly, the Uruguay international, who cost an initial £16m in 2022, came off in the second half against Villa because of tiredness, after an insane display in the Midlands.

It was another tireless performance that showed he must be one of the first names on the team-sheet in the new De Zerbi era.

The door has been left ajar for Tottenham Hotspur in the battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Spurs sit 18th in the Premier League table, two points adrift of safefty with only four games of the season to play.

However, it could have been much worse than that heading into their game with Aston Villa on Sunday night.

West Ham had the chance to increase the gap between the two London rivals to five points on Saturday afternoon, but failed to do so, slipping to a demoralising 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Aston Villa's Focus May Not Be On Tottenham

That will have handed Roberto De Zerbi and the Spurs players a boost as they prepare to take on Unai Emery's side at Villa Park. Villa may have one eye on their midweek fixture with Nottingham Forest in the UEFA Europa League semi-final, having lost the first leg 1-0 at the City Ground on Thursday.

They need to turn the tie around if they are to make it to the final and with UEFA Champions League football via the Premier League almost guaranteed, Spurs will be hoping the Villans focus is slightly awry and that they can take full advantage.

They will have to do so without a couple more key players, with Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke added to the injury list in N17 and not part of the squad that has made the trip to the Midlands.

Tottenham are desperate for all three points that would take them out of the bottom three and put them back in the driving seat of their own destiny come the end of the campaign.

Betfair ambassador Alan Shearer is not convinced they will get them though.

Doing his weekly predictions for the round of Premier League matches, the former Newcastle United man said: "Spurs have to somehow find a way to go again and win the game. Aston Villa are in Europe on Thursday and had a really tough game but Spurs have injuries to Xavi Simons, and it looks as if Solanke is out so I'm going to go for an Aston Villa home win taking all things into account.

Alan Shearer Has Already Got One Prediction Wrong

"The injuries are to two key players. I mean, Simons scored a wonderful goal a couple of weeks ago. It’s horrible to see he’s injured his ACL and I have huge sympathy for him. Spurs haven’t exactly been flying and sticking in goals left, right, and centre, but nevertheless, it's still a blow for Spurs.

"I think Villa will have too much for them on Sunday especially at home."

Tottenham fans will be hoping the Premier League's all-time top goalscorer is off with another prediction, having backed West Ham to get a draw at Brentford.

Tottenham were handed a huge relegation boost on Saturday after biggest rivals for the drop West Ham failed to pick up any points from their encounter with Brentford.

The Bees ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at the Gtech Community Stadium, leaving the Hammers two points clear of Spurs at the bottom of the Premier League table having played a game more.

That means Tottenham can move out of the bottom three with victory in their game against Aston Villa on Sunday evening - no mean feat of course since Spurs' win over Wolves last weekend was their first of 2026.

Two More Spurs Players Join Injury List

Tottenham would even close the gap to Nottingham Forest to just two points, with Vitor Pereira's side not in action until Monday afternoon, when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs head coach will have some difficult decisions to make in his starting lineup, with a dearth of options available to him given the horrific injury list in N17.

Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke joined their teammates on the sidelines following the win over Wolves last weekend, meaning that eight players will miss the trip to Villa Park.

At the back, Antonin Kinsky will start in goal, with De Zerbi confirming in his press conference that Guglielmo Vicario was not ready to return to the squad just yet.

Ahead of him there are not too many decisions to make. Pedro Porro starts at right-back, with Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven in the centre. The main decision comes at left-back.

De Zerbi said on Destiny Udogie: "Udogie can be available, yes. I don't know if at the beginning of the game or in the second half, but he's available, yes."

The fact he even brought up the beginning of the game suggests he will be on the bench, meaning Djed Spence starts.

Then ahead of them in the two in midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur has to start. He has made a huge difference to the side since returning from injury and is an outlet for the defenders, getting the ball on the half turn.

Alongside him it could be Conor Gallagher or Yves Bissouma and we're going to go for the energy and more forward-thinking Bissouma.

Is James Maddison Fit To Play Against Aston Villa?

Tottenham's biggest problem will be their creativity. James Maddison has returned to the squad, but is not likely to be ready to start games. De Zerbi said on Friday: "I would like to play with him, because he's a special player, he's a different player, but we have to consider the physical condition, a lot of things. But I think he can be important in the next three games."

Spurs have four games left, so perhaps De Zerbi referencing the "next three games" was more looking at the final three fixtures of the season.

Lucas Bergvall is not a 10, nor is Gallagher, nor Archie Gray. It may well be squre pegs in round holes here. Pape Matar Sarr should return from injury and we're going to go with him in there, with Mathys Tel off the left and Randal Kolo Muani off the right, supporting Richarlison through the middle.

The UEFA Europa League triumph apart, it has felt like Tottenham have been sleepwalking into a major crisis for some time now.

And that crisis is happening right before our eyes with the battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.

With this season now coming to an end, one of the so-called big six in the Premier League have only finished in the top six in three of the seven seasons since Mauricio Pochettino was sacked.

The Argentine had led Spurs to five consecutive top-six finishes in his five seasons in charge, with four straight top-four finishes.

Finishing 17th last year and likely to finish either 17th or 18th this year, the cracks that have been emerging since Pochettino left the club are widening.

Tottenham Have Tried Everything To Secure Success

Roberto De Zerbi - Spurs' third manager this season - has been tasked with not only papering over the cracks, but re-affirming the foundations of the club and getting things back on an even keel in north London.

The Italian will want to do that from the comfort of the Premier League, rather than having to rebuild in the Championship next season, but that requires four big results between now and the end of the season to get themselves out of trouble.

If Tottenham do go down, however, it would give credence to a long-held belief of Pochettino's that has not been heeded.

The now USA manager told Spurs chiefs that a "painful rebuild" was required after the UEFA Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019. That rebuild was not forthcoming and Pochettino was sacked months later.

Spurs have struggled to recover ever since, trying various different methods to try to get back on track - born winners in Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, pragmatic coaches in Nuno Espirito Santo and Thomas Frank, Tottenham style managers in Ange Postecoglou and now De Zerbi. But while the playing squad has changed it has never truly evolved into anything better.

The likes of Hugo Lloris, Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and others were replaced by lesser players over the years and it has shown on the pitch.

The Pochettino era will finally come to an end this summer, however, as the last remaining member of the playing squad from the Argentine's time at the club will say goodbye.

Ben Davies has been a Spurs stalwart, giving 12 years of his career to the Lilywhites, but with his contract ending, so too is his time in north London, with no extension to be awarded.

It will be back-to-back seasons in which Tottenham have struggled at the wrong end of the Premier League table and De Zerbi must be given time and funds to make the requisite changes at the club - the ones he can influence at least - in order to get Spurs back where they belong.

De Zerbi needs to completely hit the reset button and be ruthless with the owners and with the playing squad, stripping back and starting again afresh.

Pochettino Explains Transfer Strategy Is Not Just About Buying Players

Speaking on the Overlap this week, Pochettino said: "When you see the first game when Jurgen Klopp arrived was against us and then a few years after when we played the final of the Champions League, you see it was a completely new team, while we kept the same structure.

"It's not only about money, sometimes players that are good don't belong anymore in certain clubs. If you don't remove, these players maybe are impossible to improve or increase their level and that for me is key for all projects. Make the decision to be right not only in players that you want, but also when is the moment when players don't belong anymore? That's when things are maybe not in line."

Pochettino knew in 2019 and maybe before that he needed to change things, not just slightly, but hugely, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He was not able to and was given the boot. De Zerbi now must make sure wholesale changes that are required, are made.

That may, however, depend on which division Tottenham find themselves in...

Tottenham Hotspur are facing a battle to stay in the Premier League next season, but they are already making plans for the upcoming summer window in case they are able to do it.

Spurs sit two points adrift of safety in the relegation zone with four games remaining, but have a chance to move out of 18th with a win over Aston Villa on Sunday following West Ham's 3-0 defeat to Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi is looking ahead to next season already and how he will be able to shape his squad should they stay in the top-flight, and he has already identified one midfield star he wants to bring to the club ahead of rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

Tottenham Eyeing Noah Sadiki Deal

According to a report by Caught Offside, Spurs are among a number of clubs paying close attention to the situation surrounding Sunderland star Noah Sadiki this summer.

The DR Congo international joined the Black Cats last summer and has been a standout performer as they have enjoyed a fantastic campaign, which has seen him attract the attention of a number of top clubs in the division.

Described as 'incredible', Tottenham are keen to make their long-standing interest more concrete, but must first find out what league they will be playing in next season before making a play to convince him to make the switch to north London.

Sunderland have no interest in selling the 21-year-old and have put a £50m price tag on his head as a result, less than 12 months after signing him for just £14.6m, and he has a contract that runs at the Stadium of Light until 2030.

But Tottenham, and other clubs, are ready to offer him a significant pay increase to convince him to make the move, which makes the situation one to watch in the coming months.

Sadiki Could Be Perfect for New Tottenham Era

Tottenham are set to see the beginning of a brand new era at the club next season, regardless of what division they will be playing in, but especially if they stay in the top flight.

The club need strengthening in a number of areas already, but several top stars are expected to be on the move too, which will open up spots for players to come in and make the shirt their own.

Sadiki has proven he is more than ready to play in the Premier League, and at the highest level, and Spurs would be the perfect platform for him to go in and shine, with De Zerbi always keen on energetic midfielders who have quality. He'd be a key player and the face of the new era in north London, and at £50m, that's a bargain in today's market.

Manchester United are planning a big-money move to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Micky Van de Ven this summer, with a meeting already planned over his future, according to Caught Offside.

The Red Devils are expected to be busy in the summer window to strengthen their squad, while Spurs are likely to lose a number of stars after another horrific season, which could yet end in relegation to the Championship, as they sit two points adrift of safety with just four games remaining.

One position they are looking to strengthen is centre-back, and the Netherlands international has emerged as a target, with his situation in north London increasingly unsteady.

Man Utd Ready to Move for Van de Ven

Van de Ven, who has been described as 'world-class', is understood to be unhappy at Tottenham after another season battling at the bottom of the league, and is said to be pushing for a move away at the end of the campaign.

Man Utd are one of the clubs showing a strong interest in the 25-year-old, although Spurs are fighting to keep him, and have slapped an £80m asking price on his head as a result. However, that price could drop significantly if they are relegated, which has kept United on alert.

Speaking to Caught Offside, one source revealed that the player has already scheduled a meeting to talks to club chiefs at Spurs over his future once the season comes to an end.

“Van de Ven will meet with Tottenham at the end of the season, whether they stay up or not,” one source said. “For now his full focus is on keeping them in the Premier League, but he’ll be aware that clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United are interested, and that could put pressure on Tottenham.”

Alongside the £80m asking price, it's also reported that Van de Ven would likely demand a contract worth around £200,000-a-week at his new club.

Van De Ven Not Worth The Gamble

While Van de Ven has got some outstanding attributes, there are also some glaring flaws in his game that should make a club like Man Utd take note before splashing the cash to bring him in.

His electric pace and aerial threat are always a big help, but he often loses concentration when defending, and his mentality can also be questioned when you consider how Tottenham have performed as a whole this season.

With so much business expected to happen at Old Trafford this summer, it's highly unlikely that it would be worthwhile to them to spend a huge chunk of their budget on him when they already have the options they have, and it's a deal they should probably think twice about.