Tottenham Hotspur

We travel to Brentford for the big kick-off in the Premier League on Saturday (5.30pm).

Asked in his pre-Brentford press conference about his summer and how happy he was on the eve of the Premier League season, Roberto responded: "It seems I'm here for 10 years now! Three months, just three months, a very intense three months.

"I think we can't forget what happened last season. It's a lesson, a big lesson for us, for every one of us. Anyway, we have to go to another page and to start another season, an important season.

"We are building, I think, a new project and now the big challenge, without talking too much about the target, the goal of this season... the first two targets we have very clear in ourselves is to find the soul of the team, the first target and the second target, to improve in our organisation of football, with the ball, without the ball.

"Our style has to be the key of our season, like our soul. These two characteristics I want to find as soon as possible."

Speaking later in the conference, Roberto added: "I think if I spoke at the beginning of my press conference about the soul - to find the soul, every one of us, they have to stay here with the right spirit, proud to stay here, and with great ambition, great motivation, otherwise it's tough, one season with me, without motivation, without ambition, it becomes tough for everyone."

The Mali international became the Bees' fourth summer signing when he joined from Lens at the start of this month and other new arrivals Jannik Schuster, Jaidon Anthony and Callum Wilson could also play a part at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Asked in his pre-match press conference on Friday whether the new signings could feature tomorrow, Andrews said: “Yes, I’d anticipate so.

“We’ve brought four players in from other clubs and we’re really happy with the business we’ve done and the impact they’ve made - both on and off the pitch.

“I have no doubt you’ll see some of them tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, the home side will definitely be without Sepp van den Berg due to a groin issue and Antoni Milambo who is closing in on a return from an ACL knee injury.

Team news | Defensive duo out of Premier League opener

The Sweden international forward has been out with a knee injury since April, 2024.

Roberto gave this update: "He's working, not with the group, but with the individual coach. I'm observing a lot because, first of all, he suffered too much, and as a human situation, it's been tough for him, and every one of us. We are close with him for this period, and then he's a different player, he's a special player, if he's fit and available, he's a different player, like Xavi Simons."

Flying full-back Pedro is working his way back to full fitness having returned late to pre-season after winning the World Cup with Spain.

Centre-back Micky, meanwhile, picked up 'not a big problem' during our tour of New Zealand and Australia. Also at the World Cup for the Netherlands, Micky has yet to feature in pre-season.

Asked about team news in his pre-match press conference, Roberto said: "Micky is not on the list tomorrow, like Pedro Porro. The other players are all inside - James Madison is inside, Dominic Solanke is inside, Destiny Udogie is inside, Mateus Fernandes is inside.

"Pape Sarr, no, because he felt pain today in his hamstring, nothing important, but we don't take a risk with him, especially in this moment.

"We have Kulusevski, Odobert, Xavi Simons injured. Mo Kudus is almost ready. These are big points for us, they are top players for us, and we're looking forward to watching them on the pitch."

Asked further about Micky later in his press conference, Roberto added: "Today he's working with us, with the group, he's going very well. He suffered a problem during the pre-season in Australia, not a big problem, but not right to work, but we have Senesi, we have Ben Davies, and we are in the right condition to play the game tomorrow and to try to find the result."

Formed in December, 2025, with the purpose of ensuring that the ideas and perspectives of our youngest fans are consistently heard and represented, the group is comprised of 10 junior supporters, all aged between 11 and 17. Consisting of Season Ticket Holders – across both our Men’s and Women’s teams – and One Hotspur Members, the group meets with the Club at least three times per season to discuss the topics which matter most to young supporters.

After a welcome from members of the Club’s Fan Engagement team, last week’s meeting began with a recap of the feedback shared by the group throughout the second half of the 2025/26 season – and an update on how we’ve helped put those ideas into practice.

One of the group’s key priorities had been improving match ticket access for young supporters, and the Club was delighted to update the group on recent changes which see Junior and Young Adult concession tickets now available in all general admission areas of the stadium, as well as the expansion of the Young Adult category to include supporters aged 18-25.

The group had also shared its views on the importance of growing awareness and support for the Women’s game – and praised recent social media coverage of the Women’s team across Club channels. Having also identified matchday atmosphere as a key area of focus, it was supportive of the tifos, flags and supporter-led displays seen throughout the past season, and warmly welcomed the Club’s commitment to continuing to invest in atmosphere initiatives.

The group was then treated to a bespoke tour of the stadium and nearby area, showcasing the heritage and history of the Club on display throughout N17. Stops on the tour included the iconic Cockerel Clock on the High Road, Bobby Buckle’s house on White Hart Lane, and the murals depicting legendary Club players which adorn buildings on the stadium approach.

Throughout the day, the group also met with different departments throughout the Club to exchange ideas and provide feedback. Speaking with a senior Experience and Operations manager, the group shared their thoughts on how to build atmosphere on matchdays and ways to help fans feel closer to the team. They also discussed a range of topics with the Club’s Research and Insights team, providing feedback on our latest kits and detailing changes they’d make if they were in charge of the Club for a day. Ideas included app-based challenges and activities, additional ways of recognising supporter loyalty, and improving Junior access to away tickets.

The Junior Supporters’ Group will continue to meet throughout the season, with the next meeting scheduled for Autumn 2026.

A new campaign brings with it a fresh set of challenges for the players, managers and match officials alike – and this one is no different. Here is everything you need to know about the changes to the Laws of the Game and key refereeing principles for 2026/27.

Changes to the Laws of the Game

A number of mandatory changes to the Laws of the Game will be implemented in the Premier League this season.

Injured players must leave the pitch for one minute

When play is stopped because of an injury, a player who receives treatment on the pitch will now be required to leave the field for at least one minute after play restarts.

That represents an increase from the 30-second period previously used in the division.

Five-second countdown for delayed throw-ins and goal-kicks

Officials will have a new measure available to tackle clearly delayed throw-ins and goal-kicks.

A "five-second" countdown can be introduced when a referee believes a team is deliberately delaying the restart. If the countdown expires before the ball is put back into play, possession will be reversed.

For a throw-in, the opposition will be awarded the restart from the same position.

For a goal-kick, the opposing team will instead be awarded a corner.

The measure is aimed at reducing time-wasting and keeping the ball in play for longer.

Ten-second limit for substitutions

A "10-second" time limit for players leaving the field of play when substituted. If the time limit is exceeded, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed.

VAR intervention for incorrect second yellow cards

VAR will have an expanded role when a player is shown a second yellow card that results in a red card.

However, the change is specifically designed to correct a clearly wrong second yellow card and not where a player could potentially have been shown a second yellow card. The second caution must have actually been awarded, with VAR able to intervene where there is clear evidence that the decision was incorrect.

New trial for goalkeeper tactical timeouts

A new trial will also take place during the 2026/27 season to address situations involving goalkeeper injuries.

If play is stopped because a goalkeeper requires treatment, the head coach will have to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch immediately. That player must then remain off the field for at least one minute after play restarts.

The trial is designed to address occasions where goalkeeper injuries may be used to disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction. There will be exceptions where the goalkeeper has been fouled or has collided with an opponent who also requires treatment.

The trial will be monitored throughout the season as part of an assessment of its impact on the flow of matches.

Refereeing Points of Emphasis

As well as the changes to the Laws of the Game, the Premier League Football Principles for the 2026/27 season have set out six key areas of focus for referees and VARs:

Famously small in stature at 5ft 3ins, Terry was the man for the big occasion.

He scored in the FA Cup Final as we clinched the 'double' of league championship and FA Cup in 1961 and produced arguably his best display in the 1963 European Cup Winners' Cup Final, when he scored twice as we beat Atletico Madrid 5-1 to become the first British side to claim a European trophy.

Terry also remains the only Spurs player to score a hat-trick in the north London derby.

Born in Malton, Yorkshire on 29 November, 1934, the son of jockey 'Ginger' Dyson, Terry was invited for a trial after a Spurs scout watched him score five goals for the Army in a match against the Guards. He joined us as an amateur in December, 1954 before signing professional forms in April, 1955.

Terry went on to spend 10 successful years at White Hart Lane. Famed for his tenacious nature and fierce competitive spirit, he spent his early days as understudy to George Robb and Terry Medwin before Cliff Jones' arrival in 1958 would appear to limit his chances again but, despite interest from other clubs, Bill kept him at Spurs and it paid dividends.

Playing mainly down the left flank, with Cliff on the right of a formidable forward line, Terry started 47 of our 49 matches in the double season, weighing in with an impressive 17 goals (12 in the league, five in the FA Cup) and none more important than his diving header in the FA Cup Final against Leicester City, where our 2-0 win saw us become the first team to clinch the league and FA Cup 'double' in the 20th century.

His most famous moment in a white shirt arrived two years later, when he scored twice as we became the first British team to win a European trophy with a 5-1 demolition of Atletico Madrid in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup.

His team-mate and fellow goalscorer in the 1961 FA Cup Final, striker Bobby Smith, said to Terry afterwards, 'you better retire now, you'll never play better'.

Terry stayed for another two years, taking his total of appearances in all competitions to 209, scoring a superb tally of 55 goals.

From Spurs, Terry moved to Fulham in May, 1965 and had spells at Colchester, Guildford City and Wealdstone before managerial stints at Kingsbury, Wingate, Dagenham - where he won the FA Trophy in 1980 - Boreham Wood, Ruislip and Kingsbury Town.

He was then a referee's observer for the Premier Academy League for a spell from 1999, when he was a regular visitor to matches at our former training ground, Spurs Lodge.

A true Spurs great, we would like to send our condolences to Terry’s family and friends at this sad time.

We will first take on newly-promoted WSL side Birmingham City this Sunday (23 August, kick-off 12noon UK time) before facing WSL 2 promotion hopefuls Bristol City on Sunday 30 August (kick-off 2pm UK time) – both games taking place at Hotspur Way.

Unfortunately, these matches will not be available to watch live on SPURSPLAY, however, you can follow live updates from the game across our social media channels and post-match reaction here on tottenhamhotspur.com and on our official App.

Our pre-season programme began with a 1-0 win over Granada before falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid earlier this month, with both fixtures forming part of our 12-day intense training in Spain.

Our 2026/27 WSL campaign gets underway on Sunday 6 September as we take on West Ham United at Brisbane Road, with tickets available below.

It came at the Gtech Community Stadium in April, 2022 as our fans were reunited with a former hero, Christian Eriksen.

Less than a year after his cardiac arrest playing for Denmark at Euro 2020 - delayed a year due to COVID - Christian had recovered, moved from Inter to Brentford and here he was, in front of the Spurs fans for the first time.

One of our midfield greats of the modern era - 305 appearances, 69 goals in all competitions, 2013-2020 - was greeted by his 'Erik-sen-sen-sen...' song from our away support and after the game, he made a point of going over and applauding our corner of the Gtech.

Christian giving our fans the thumbs up is pictured above - enjoy the gallery from previous visits to Brentford below...

We head to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford in our season opener on Saturday, with a handful of new recruits at Roberto De Zerbi’s disposal as we bid to make a winning start to the new term.

Here’s all you need to know...

What time does the match start?

Kick-off at Brentford is at 5.30pm BST on Saturday.

How can I watch the game?

Our season opener will be available to watch live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.

Video highlights will be posted on official club channels from two hours after the final whistle, with a full match replay available to watch on SPURSPLAY from midnight after the game.

As ever, our Match Centre here on the official club website and app will bring you all the build-up plus live in-game text commentary and post-match reaction, ensuring you won’t miss a thing.

What is the team news?

Roberto De Zerbi will conduct his pre-match press conference on Friday lunchtime, where he’s expected to clarify who could be involved against the Bees.

Who is the referee?

Michael Oliver has been appointed referee of our game on Saturday.

He’ll be assisted by James Mainwaring and Blake Antrobus, with Sam Barrott as the fourth official.

John Brooks is the VAR, assisted by Gary Beswick.

Which kits will the teams be wearing?

As the home team, Brentford will be in their usual red and white striped shirts, black shorts and black socks, with their goalkeeper in light pink.

We’ll be wearing our new away shirts – featuring a dark navy blue base with coloured patterns across the front – with navy shorts, but to avoid a clash with Brentford’s black socks, we’ll be using the white socks from our home kit this weekend.

Our goalkeeper will wear green.

What will the weather be like?

It’s expected to be dry and bright on Saturday, with temperatures at around 21 degrees.

What is the latest travel information?