London Evening Standard

Tottenham are expected to show changes when they face Slavia Prague in the Champions League tonight.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank has tweaked his starting lineup from match to match all season and a repeat of that is expected this evening for a game his side will hope to win in comfortable fashion.

Tottenham will be without Destiny Udogie, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Brennan Johnson is "touch and go" as to whether he can be involved.

Xavi Simons scored and assisted in the win over Brentford on Saturday and will hope to start again to try and build on that momentum.

Wilson Odobert could come into the side to freshen up the attack, with Richarlison potentially the one to miss out.

Rotation in midfield is likely, with Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Joao Palhinha all pushing to come into the side.

Spurs are firm favourites against Slavia Prague, who are yet to win in the Champions League this season, and Frank could use it as an opportunity to rest one of Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven heading into the festive period.

The FA Cup third round draw takes place tonight as Premier League and Championship clubs all enter the picture. Holders Crystal Palace will kick off the defence of the trophy they won for the very first time in the club's history at Wembley back in May with a shock victory over Manchester City, while Eberechi Eze - the scorer in that final - will hope to help Arsenal extend their record number of FA Cup successes this season as Chelsea also aim to make up for a poor showing last year.

Manchester United are seeking to reclaim the trophy they won in 2023-24, Tottenham are hunting for more silverware after ending the long trophy drought with success in the Europa League almost seven months ago, while the FA Cup may represent Liverpool's best chance of a trophy this season.

It has been an eventful competition for non-league sides Macclesfield and Weston-super-Mare who made it through with wins over the weekend. Boreham Wood could be joined in round three by fellow National League side Brackley Town if they manage to overcome Burton tonight. Former England internationals Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will carry out the proceedings. Follow the FA Cup third round draw live below!

Good news for Arsenal after title setback but now Mikel Arteta must buck trend

Good news for Arsenal after title setback but Arteta must buck trend

Dutchman can unlock Spurs creativity after first big ‘moment’

Xavi Simons scored his first Spurs goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brentford

AFP via Getty Images

Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Thomas Frank let the handbrake off. Free-flowing, attacking football was back at Tottenham in their 2-0 win over Brentford.

Spurs have now set the standard in attack, says Frank, after a performance in which they ought to have scored more than the two first-half goals they mustered in just their second home league win of the season.

Tottenham, so often this season reactive to their opposition’s game plan, were dominant from start to finish and were richly deserving of three points.

“Sometimes you work hard on things, and sometimes (it) just suddenly clicks and said before the team has been a little bit out of sync,” Frank said after the game.

“In some stages, today, a lot more players were on the same page at the same time throughout the game.

Spurs eased the pressure on Thomas Frank with a much-improved display in their win against Brentford

AFP via Getty Images

“I think we looked such a threat going forward. Great chances, played with pace, tempo, penetration, unpredictable. So, I like that was everything we'd like to be, but also being aggressive in the pressure.”

Read More

Chelsea and Tottenham to make history as summer showdown confirmed

Spurs injury update: Kolo Muani, Udogie, Solanke latest return dates

Tottenham vs Slavia Prague: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, odds, h2h

Sponsored

Get ahead with expert services designed to boost business development

At the centre of what felt like a blueprint-defining victory for Frank was Xavi Simons.

His performance was the full of pace, tempo, penetration and unpredictability.

On just his third Premier League start of the season, the Dutchman was a lightning rod for Tottenham's attack, popping up in the right channel to assist Richarlison’s opening goal before driving through the middle to double the Spurs advantage right before half-time.

Simons’ first Tottenham goal was the sort of spark of ingenuity Frank said he knew the midfielder was capable of when Spurs bought him in from RB Leipzig in the summer.

For Simons and Spurs, consistency is the now key if they are to build on Saturday.

“That's what I believe from the beginning, that Xavi can produce that out of nothing. And I will say, everything just needs a little bit of adaptation sometimes with everything. Him, the team, everything. And this was a very good step. Now it's the next thing to do it again and again and again.”

Xavi Simons scored a stunning individual goal against Brentford

Getty Images

It has been a tricky start to life at Tottenham for Simons, who has struggled to get to grips with the pace and physicality of the Premier League. But he more than held his own against Brentford.

In and out of possession, Simons chipped away at Brentford’s resolve. Niggling tackles, quick feet and an awareness of where the space was. Simons had a vision of the game, and his team-mates helped him execute it to a tee.

In the continued absence of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, Spurs have relied heavily on Mohammed Kudus to conjure up inspiration from the right flank.

However, with Simons floating across the pitch, stitching the play together, Kudus has a focus, and Tottenham have direction and unpredictability.

Frank was honest in his assessment of his squad last week when saying he did not know his best team. Simons, though, now surely has played his way into contention for regular starts.

There was a buzz around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Spurs had come to entertain and their supporters, who repaid the players’ efforts with a rousing ripple of applause on the half-time and full-time whistle.

Frank will want to keep hold of that feeling. He did not quite produce a Christmas miracle in beating a Brentford side as derisory away as Tottenham have been at home this season. But what he did do was lay the foundations from which his side simply has to build upon.

Spurs have often in recent years been bound by a strict identity, from Mauricio Pochettino to Ange Postecoglou, and the adaptable Frank may just have set out the philosophy he hopes will come to define his time in charge.

MORE ABOUT

Thomas Frank’s list of injured players has grown heading into the busy festive period

Latest: Destiny Udogie, Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke

Standard Sport

Alex Dakers

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham face two more big games this week after they eased the pressure on Thomas Frank with a 2-0 win against Brentford.

Spurs host Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday needing a victory to boost their chances of finishing in the top eight and qualifying for the knockout stage automatically.

They then travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday looking to build some momentum in the Premier League.

Frank has fresh injury concerns over Randal Kolo Muani and Destiny Udogie, while Spurs fans are still waiting for the return of Dominic Solanke.

With that in mind, here is the latest Tottenham injury news and return dates…

Randal Kolo Muani

Randal Kolo Muani impressed against Brentford but was substituted after 74 minutes.

Frank was not asked about Kolo Muani after the game but the on-loan striker was later seen limping as he left the stadium.

Kolo Muani has started for Spurs in seven of their last eight matches and has established himself as a key part of their attack in the absence of Dominic Solanke.

Read More

Tottenham vs Slavia Prague: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, odds, h2h

Tottenham handed new injury concern after Brentford win

Tottenham star faces disciplinary action over laughing gas video

Sponsored

Incredible days out and trips for autumn and winter

Spurs are due to train on Monday morning ahead of the Slavia Prague game and Frank is then due to provide an update on Kolo Muani in his press conference on Monday afternoon.

Potential return date: Tuesday, December 9 vs Slavia Prague (H)

Destiny Udogie

Frank confirmed Destiny Udogie has suffered a soft tissue injury after the left-back was left out of the Spurs squad against Brentford.

Udogie, who played the full 90 minutes in last week’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle but was seen hobbling towards the end of that match.

Asked how long Udogie will be out for, Frank said: “Not too long. He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle.”

Potential return date: December 2025

Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke has not played for Spurs since August because of a troublesome ankle injury.

Solanke recently refused to put a timescale on his return but Frank provided his latest update on the striker last week and the striker does not appear to be close to a return.

Asked about Solanke and fellow long-term absentee Deki Kulusevski, Frank said: "When they are ready to really be close to being involved in the squad, then I will give more information.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Radu Dragusin

One long-term absentee who is close to a return is Radu Dragusin, who stepped up his comeback from a serious knee injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.

Dragusin, who has been out since January played 65 minutes against Dagenham and Redbridge after playing 45 minutes against Leyton Orient last month.

Speaking after that match, Dragusin: "It felt good, first minutes in 10 months out, finally minutes in the legs and I just have to build on this.”

Potential return date: December

Dejan Kulusevski

Another player with a shot at a comeback before the end of the year is Dejan Kulusevski.

Kulusevski has been out since the end of last season with a patella injury but he was back on grass during last month’s international break.

Frank has said previously there is a “good chance” that the playmaker could return in 2025 but his comeback will not be rushed.

Potential return date: Late December

Kota Takai

Yet to feature for Spurs since signing from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer, Kota Takai joined Dragusin in lining up with the U21s against Dagenham last Tuesday.

Takai completed the first half of that match but it is still not clear when the defender will be ready to return to the first team.

“First of all, I am just glad I finished without getting injured,” Takai said. “And now, I want to work hard toward making my debut for the first team next.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Yves Bissouma

Yves Bissouma is another player yet to make an appearance for Spurs this season.

He missed the UEFA Super Cup in August for disciplinary reasons and then was stretchered off just minutes after his return to action for Mali while on international duty the following month.

Bissouma has since had surgery, with Frank revealing in October that the defensive midfielder had suffered ankle ligament damage.

Potential return date: Unknown

James Maddison

Having undergone surgery on a torn ACL sustained in a pre-season meeting with Newcastle, James Maddison is expected to miss most if not all of the 2025-26 season.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

MORE ABOUT

Tottenham will on Tuesday look to take another step towards the Champions League knockout stages with the visit of Slavia Prague.

A much-needed, morale-boosting win over Brentford means Spurs are seeking back-to-back home victories in all competitions, and another three points could see them move into the top eight of the league phase of the Champions League.

Czech champions Slavia Prague have already ended up on the wrong end of one meeting with a north London side this season - going down 3-0 at home to Arsenal - and head to Spurs without a win in Europe this season. It has been 18 years since they won a Champions League game.

Spurs will be aware that Slavia Prague have kept both Atalanta and Athletic Club at bay this season, so will need their shot-shy attack on top form on Tuesday.

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Matt Verri at the ground.

Tottenham are sweating over the fitness of two more players following their win over Brentford.

Destiny Udogie missed the game with a “soft tissue injury”, which Thomas Frank hopes will not sideline the defender for “too long”. Randal Kolo Muani was seen limping in the mixed zone after the game, so he is a doubt for the game. Mathys Tel remains ineligible for the game.

Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski remain sidelined for the foreseeable. Radu Dragusin played another training ground friendly last week, but is also not registered for the competition.

Xavi Simons assisted one and scored a stunning second against Brenford, so deserves to keep his place. Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert are options to come into the attack.

Spurs will be confident of getting another positive result on Tuesday, even with their inconsistent form. Slavia Prague have managed to secure three draws from their five games this season, but have not scored since the opening-round draw with Bodo/Glimt.

When is FA Cup draw? Date, start time, ball numbers, TV channel and live stream for third round

When is FA Cup draw? Start time, ball numbers, TV channel, live stream

Thomas Frank has confirmed that Destiny Udogie has suffered a soft tissue injury after the Tottenham left-back was left out of the matchday squad against Brentford.

Udogie, who played the full 90 minutes against Newcastle during the week, had been seen hobbling towards the end of Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with the Magpies on Tuesday night.

Frank had said in his pre-match press conference on Friday that all the players who played against Newcastle would be available against Brentford.

However, Udogie was a notable absentee from the matchday squad, and Frank said following Tottenham’s 2-0 win against Brentford that the 23-year-old had sustained a “soft tissue injury” in the Newcastle match.

Even without the Italian, who was replaced in the line-up by Djed Spence, Tottenham cruised to a comfortable win over Brentford to seal just their second home league win of the season.

First half goals from Richarlison and Xavi Simons put Tottenham firmly in control, and they held on for a vitally important three points.

Udogie has missed six games in all competitions due to a recurring knee injury and now looks set for another period on the sidelines, where he joins the likes of midfielders Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison plus striker Dominic Solanke.

Thankfully for Spurs, Frank didn’t seem too concerned about the length of time Udogie may miss.

The Spurs boss hopes to have put tensions between his team and the fanbase behind them

‘Warm’ reception: Guglielmo Vicario

Getty Images

Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Thomas Frank has said that the reception Guglielmo Vicario received ahead of Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Brentford made him “warm inside”.

Vicario was the subject of boos last weekend after his mistake gifted Fulham their second goal in a 2-1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, ahead of kick-off against Brentford, Vicario’s name was loudly cheered, and Frank said he was appreciative of Tottenham’s supporters, hailing them as “great fans” after his side secured just their second home league win of the season.

“You know, the Spurs fans are great fans. Sometimes there are ups, sometimes there are downs in football and life. But I like how the team responded,” Frank said in his post-match press conference.

“I like how the whole stadium, the fans, I would say, responded. And I noticed, maybe it was me, but I noticed when Vicario’s name was shouted up, I think an extra high roar, and I love that.

“That makes me warm inside because that's where you support your player. Because they should, you know, no one, like no one, how can you say, talking bad about our players. The fans should feel like that.

Read More

Three things we learned from Spurs win as midfield solution emerges

Tottenham vs Brentford LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League

Udogie injury latest as Thomas Frank explains Spurs defender's absence

Sponsored

The best destinations and activities to book this winter

“No one. They should protect them. And I think today there was a fantastic energy between both the team and the fans.”

Spurs fans show support to Vicario

Getty Images

Tottenham secured a vital three points against Frank’s former side, but more so than the result, it was the manner of the performance that was most impressive.

Xavi Simons, who scored a superb solo goal, was at the centre of everything good for Tottenham going forward, and Frank praised the Dutchman after he netted his first goal since joining the club from RB Leipzig in the summer.

“I think every player needs that extra bit of confidence, and that comes from his performance, the team's performance. And that assist and the goal, I think, gave him that extra bit of lightness in his step and his touches and everything,” the Danish manager said.

“So, for him, it was also an all-around very good performance.

Frank continued: “That (goal) is what I believe from the beginning, that Xavi can produce that out of nothing. And I will say, everything just needs a little bit of adaptation sometimes with everything.

“Him, the team, everything. And this was a very good step. Now it's the next thing to do it again and again and again.”

Tottenham were dominant throughout and could have had a third goal, only for the offside flag to rule out Mohammed Kudus’ second-half effort.

Mohammed Kudus saw his celebration cut short by the offside flag

AFP via Getty Images

Under Frank, Tottenham have struggled to create chances from open play, but he said his side had now set the standard for future performances.

“That is the standard,” Frank continued. “Sometimes there's more tight games, as we know. But I like what I saw from the team. And that's what we need to build on and try to become even better.”

MORE ABOUT

A much-needed win improves the mood in north London, as two youngsters make their cases to Thomas Frank

Winning ways: Thomas Frank

Getty Images

Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham secured just their second home league win of the season as they beat Brentford 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Richarlison gave Spurs the lead in the 25th minute as he tapped home from Simons’ low cross.

Simons, starting his first game in a month, then doubled Tottenham’s advantage before half-time with a superb solo goal.

Mohammed Kudus was denied a goal after the break, but Tottenham held on to relieve the pressure on Thomas Frank.

Standard Sport’s Sam Tabuteau picks out three key talking points from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…

Simons shines on rare start

It’s been a slow start to life at Tottenham for Xavi Simons but, starting his first game in a month, the Dutchman showed his quality as Frank’s men earned a much needed win.

All the talk pre-match had been about whether he could nail down a starting berth on the left of Tottenham’s attack, with Frank admitting there was competition for minutes.

However, it was on the right where Simons shone, racing onto Pedro Porro’s clipped pass before crossing for Richarlison to tap home.

Read More

Tottenham player ratings vs Brentford: Simons stars, Gray impresses

Simons stars as Spurs beat Brentford for first home win since August

Tottenham vs Brentford LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League

Sponsored

Great gifts, foodie delights and experiences for the festive season

An impassioned gesture to the Tottenham supporters, who only a week earlier had been showering their players with boos, showed where Simons’ head was at.

He was in the mood and continued to drive Tottenham forward, doubling their lead with a superb solo goal right before half-time.

The 22-year-old started the move with a well-timed interception before driving from inside his own half and finishing coolly past Caoimhin Kelleher.

Simons was everywhere, whether it was driving through the middle or drifting into the right channel, and he gave Tottenham the spark in possession they have so sorely lacked this season.

Atmosphere turns as Tottenham secure second home league win of the season.

What a difference a week makes in the world of football.

Tottenham’s players were roundly booed during their 2-1 defeat to Fulham last Saturday, but they left the pitch at half-time against Brentford to applause after a dominant opening 45 minutes.

Brentford looked to have the measure of Tottenham early on as the Bees dealt comfortably with a number of crosses into the area.

However, goals from Richarlison and Simons gave Tottenham a commanding half-time lead, and the home crowd responded with a rousing show of support as the players walked into the tunnel at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How Thomas Frank needed that after his war of words with the Tottenham supporters this week.

His side secured just their second home league win of the season and looked good for the three points as they limited Brentford to just one shot on target.

This was a statement performance as much as it was a greatly needed three points, and Tottenham’s supporters showed their appreciation in what could prove to be a turning point in their relationship with Frank after a difficult past couple of months.

Mature Gray performance provides the answer in midfield for Frank

Frank was remarkably honest in his pre-match press conference when stating that he did not know his best team.

There are a number of positions where the Dane still does not know who he trusts, but in midfield, he may just have found the answer.

Archie Gray, starting just his third league game, has been in and out of the side under Frank.

Used in a variety of positions this season, his versatility has been something of a curse for the teenager, but he impressed at the heart of Tottenham’s midfield as they dominated Brentford.

Brentford had looked to make their presence felt physically in the opening stages, but Gray, who dovetailed nicely with Rodrigo Bentancur, grew into the game as Tottenham battled their way to a vital three points.

This was a mature display from the 19-year-old, and he will hope it is the start of more minutes in his preferred position.

This was a solid shift from teenager Archie Gray (R)

AFP via Getty Images

On an afternoon of overwhelming positives for Tottenham, their tireless work out of possession represented a major improvement from their previously languid performances at home.

Gray was at the centre of Tottenham’s industrious display, and he may just have solved Frank’s selection dilemma in the centre of the park.

MORE ABOUT