Tottenham Hotspur

SPURSPLAY

SPURSPLAY

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of our clash in N17…

What time does the match start?

The game will get underway at 12noon UK time.

How can I watch the game?

Tickets for the match remain available to buy online and supporters can buy online right up until kick-off via our eTicketing platform or on the day from the Paxton House ticket office.

If you are unable to attend, Sunday’s game will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky One.

If you’re following us from overseas, check out here to see if the game is live in your area.

Our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Spurs Official app will bring you full live text and audio commentary throughout the match.

Video highlights will be available on club channels four hours after the full-time whistle.

What is the team news?

Martin Ho confirmed that Hanna Wijk will be out for the rest of the season.

The young full-back suffered an MCL injury while on international duty with Sweden Under-23s.

Maika Hamano is back in contention after she was ineligible to face Chelsea last time out. Clare Hunt, Jess Naz, Maite Oroz and Luana Buhler remain long-term absentees.

For the visitors, Marc Skinner confirmed that midfielder Ella Toone could return this weekend, with Anna Sandberg and Ellen Wangerheim also back in contention.

Dominique Janssen, Elisabeth Terland and Leah Galton are set to miss the trip to the capital.

Who is the referee?

Melissa Burgin will take charge of Sunday’s game against United.

David Middleton and Matthew Joyce will serve as her assistants, with Kirsty Dowle as the fourth official.

What kit colours will the teams be wearing?

We’ll be wearing our home kit as usual, featuring Lilywhite shirts with a navy trim, navy blue shorts and white socks.

United will wear red shirts, black shorts and black socks.

Our goalkeeper will be in blue and United’s in yellow.

What will the weather conditions be like?

It’s expected to be a lovely, sunny day in north London, with temperatures at around 18 degrees.

How can I get the matchday programme and what’s included?

The official matchday programme will be on sale at the stadium on Sunday, priced at £3.50, while copies can also be ordered online here for delivery direct to your door.

In this edition, we’ve an exclusive main feature interview with Ella Morris, Maite Oroz picks her ultimate team-mate and we caught up with former forward Sarah Wiltshire to reflect on her time at the Club.

Once again, we’ll have an exclusive pull-out poster inside our programmes, so make sure to grab your copy.

What is the travel information if I’m going to the game?

Travel information for those attending the WSL clash in person at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium can be found here.

Predict the score | Spurs vs Man Utd

SPURSPLAY

The winger was alive to James Rowswell’s low delivery to convert smartly inside the back post shortly before the half-hour mark – and in spite of heightened pressure from the visitors after the break, it remained 1-0 at Stevenage as we marched on into the quarter-finals, where we’ll play away to the winners of Chelsea’s tie with Middlesbrough.

Having taken the lead following a bright start, we were made to dig in and graft for the win as Leicester made life difficult for us in the second period, although they didn’t truly threaten an equaliser, Kirsten Otchere’s off-target header in stoppage time the closest they went to sending the round of 16 tie into extra time.

Defender Rowswell had a couple of early chances for us, seeing his left-footed shot blocked behind by Bobby Amartey and heading the resulting corner over the bar at the near post, while Reiss Russell-Denny – playing in the number 10 role – dragged a shot across the face of goal and later glanced a header off-target as we dominated the opening stages.

Carey Bloedorn made sharp saves from Logan Briggs and Otchere in quick succession as Leicester tried to respond, but we deservedly took the lead on 27 minutes when Rowswell’s low delivery from the right flank went all the way across the 18-yard line and found Thompson on the far side, who outfoxed the visitors by firing a first-time shot inside the back stick.

Ryan Donnelly sent a good chance high over the top for Leicester, but we continued on the front foot, Russell-Denny shooting straight at goalkeeper Freddie Marson after a short free-kick routine and Rio Kyerematen – who frequently stole in to pinch the ball in the opponents’ half – seeing a shot charged down in the area.

Bloedorn saved well from Briggs with Matthew Craig doing just enough to prevent Otchere from converting the rebound in first-half stoppage time, with Leicester imposing themselves on the game a lot more after the restart and preventing us from playing our usual attacking game. Kyerematen did manage a shot from a dangerous area that was again blocked by Amartey, but we found it tough going and had a let-off when Mirsad Ali’s dangerous low delivery from Leicester’s left zipped across the face of goal with nobody in blue on hand in the box to convert it. Thankfully for us, we were able to keep the visitors at bay for the rest of the game, and when Otchere steered his header from an awkward angle wide in the 94th minute, our progress into the last eight was secure.

‘Second half was unlike us’

Under-21s Coach Wayne Burnett felt our display was uncharacteristic in the second period, telling SPURSPLAY: “In the first half we were okay, we had some good opportunities, their goalkeeper made one or two very good saves and I thought we were dominant, but in the second half it was a completely different performance – I thought Leicester were the dominant team, we played too many long balls, didn’t get onto enough second balls and it was very much unlike us. Leicester applied more pressure upon us and played a bit higher up, we found it hard getting up to the front and maintaining possession and the pressure kept coming and coming, it was relentless at times. The scoreline probably made us a little bit nervy, but saying that, we’ve managed to keep a clean sheet and we’ve managed to win. I think the reason behind that is the players’ mentality and the team as a whole. We showed some togetherness, which we needed to do, and managed to get the win.”

Line-ups

Spurs: Bloedorn, Rowswell (c), Hardy, Cassanova, Arganese-McDermott, Craig, Wilson (Logan 87), Kyerematen (McFadden 69), Melia (Lehane 81), Russell-Denny (Black 87), T Thompson. Substitute (not used): Archer.

Leicester City: Marson, Toko, Ali, Gray, Amartey (c), Neale, Carr, Donnelly (Golding 78), Otchere, Hutchinson, Briggs. Substitutes (not used): French, Khela, Owusu, De Lisle.

Match data

Goal: Spurs – T Thompson 27.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Rowswell 57, T Thompson 66, Wilson 84; Leicester City – Ali 36.

Referee: Callum Walchester.

Venue: Stevenage FC Stadium.

Weather: Sunny, light winds, 13 degrees.

Attendance: 355.

Rob Daly, official club commentator and pundit...

No great escape

Prior to the international break, Wolves picked up seven points from a possible nine - a run that started with home wins over Aston Villa and Liverpool. “It's taken a while to change things and go in the way we wanted," explained Rob Edwards after the victory over the Champions, having taken over in November. “We probably forgot how to win and how hard you have to work to win. The lads are showing that now." The result was followed up by an impressive comeback at Brentford, going down 0-2 before earning a draw. But a 25-day gap without a game perhaps saw them lose momentum, before suffering heavy defeats to West Ham (0-4) and Leeds (0-3).

Who is impressing for Wolves?

Can Spurs up the tempo?

In the past two games, Wolves have struggled when the opposition have upped the tempo - and Spurs showed their potential to do that last week against Brighton. Rodrigo Bentancur gave the team the base from which to play during an excellent during 67-minute run out - his first appearance in 101 days after injury. Playing as the deepest lying midfielder, De Zerbi was glowing in his assessment of the partnership with Yves Bissouma - a first start together since Bilbao. “He had a great game. Like Bissouma, both are very important for us as personalities, as experience. They know, they have a great connection between them.”

Xavi's role

Xavi Simons was used out on the left against Brighton, to great effect. The average position map below shows his license to drift in field from the left – as he did to create Pedro Porro’s opener and score his own second half screamer from similar positions. In fact, he has three goals and one assist in his last two starts. “I have a special connection with all number 10s I work with. I love a number 10," said Roberto de Zerbi afterwards, having played the position himself. “A number 10 has to understand that he has to score and he has to make assists, not just play to be nice to the people – goals and assists.” Xavi got both last weekend.

Press, press, press!

It was, in fact, Conor Gallagher used in a number 10 position, operating behind Dominic Solanke. Both were pressing machines, with the pair combining to force the turnover that led to Porro’s opener. Gallagher also snapped at the heels of Bart Verbruggen in the second half to turn his clearance just wide, in what could have been a similar goal to Kai Havertz’ at Manchester City last week. "I want to see again the same Gallagher I loved in Chelsea time,” De Zerbi said upon his arrival. The standing ovation he received on his 76th minute withdrawal was a real sign the fans appreciated his performance. Crucially, the pressing didn’t stop there, with replacement Lucas Bergvall immediately winning the ball back from Jan Paul van Hecke before Xavi smashed home for 2-1. De Zerbi stated, after the game, that Spurs can press even more – and you’d suspect Gallagher will be central to that.

SPURSPLAY

Here’s what he had to say...

How is the squad, injury-wise? Is anyone coming back? Is there a problem with Destiny?

Roberto: "Destiny has a problem and can't play tomorrow. I'm sorry, because he played a great first half, second half as well, but the first one was great. We have Djed Spence, Souza is also available to come with us, so it's not a big problem. I hope Destiny will be available next week at Villa Park.”

James Maddison was a substitute last week - was that to give everyone a boost or was he available to play some football?

“No, he's not available yet. Especially this week, he felt pain, but not a so important problem. Tomorrow he will come with us on the bench because it's important if he plays or not. It doesn't matter. It's better if he plays, for sure, but also as a guy, as a leader, as a positive guy inside of my dressing room. I want to see nice people and positive people and it's important also for his team-mates.”

The Premier League key incidents panel have ruled that Brian Brobbey should have been sent off for the incident against Sunderland - how frustrating is that to hear?

Roberto: “Can we play again that game or not? Yes, it was clear but no problem. We have to move on and prepare the next game in Wolverhampton. It's not an easy game, for sure. The last three games at home they made a draw with Arsenal 2-2 and they won against Aston Villa and Liverpool. So, they are alive. It's a tough game because they have nothing to lose. It's an important game for us, for sure, but we have to be able to play without too much pressure. My work from now until tomorrow is to prepare in the best way, but to play a game, to play football, because these players are very good players, they have important qualities and that they play without too many problems in their head.”

Were your substitutions planned against Brighton – the added time was long, and a lot of the players looked really tired...

Roberto: “Well, listen, I thought a lot of time about the Brighton game, but in my plan, Destiny Udogie could finish the game, and then I prefer to play with the good physical condition of the players. For sure, it's important five substitutions. We have to prepare a plan before the game and I usually prepare every game, one plan, two plans, two or three different plans, depending on the result and the physical condition as well. Sometimes it's a normal situation of football that can happen, like the problem (cramp) of Xavi Simons. The last ball Xavi Simons touched made the assistance for Archie Gray. It's a problem for me but for every coach.”

You just spoke about not playing with pressure, that's really important at this point, but what is important in terms of your style?

Roberto: “I don't want to put too much pressure, but we have to know the situation. We can't forget the table, we can't forget we need a win, we can't forget maybe what we have done until now. No maybe, for sure what we have done until now is not enough but anyway, if we win in Wolverhampton, it's not finished yet anyway. There are another four games, but I think now we deserve to win again. I knew before the game, Brighton was one of the best teams in this moment, actually in this moment in the Premier League, and after the Chelsea game everyone understood. We played a very good game and we deserved to win. We were unlucky, but we have to be stronger and to keep playing, to keep going.”

What sort of game do you expect at Wolves?

Roberto: “I have big respect for Rob Edwards. I remember very well at Luton, because we lost 4-0 and I remember that game as a very bad game. They have a good players, especially in the midfield position, but we have our target to reach.”

Kevin Danso had such a great game against Brighton, but then obviously the moment at the end and after that, the horrible racist abuse. Have you spoken to him about it? How is he?

Roberto: “I was very annoyed by the racist insults towards Kevin, but he has to be calm. I am proud for him. He played a fantastic game, not a good game, a fantastic game. It was important for the result, but I don't consider one mistake so important. I consider the attitude, I consider the behaviour on the pitch, the quality in which he played that game, the personality while he played that game. He will be here next season because he is a good guy, he is a very good player and every one of us is lucky to work with him.”

What is Destiny’s injury? He is such a young player, but he has had a lot of muscle injuries over recent years...

Roberto: “It’s a muscular injury, but not so important. He didn't play for a long time, and it can happen at the beginning when you start to feel something of this problem. I have a big opinion about Destiny, and he is a crucial player for us. We are lucky because we can play with Djed Spence, another important player. I think he is playing very well this season, another very good guy.”

Dejan Kulusevski has said his dream is to play at the World Cup this summer – do you think he is going to be back in time for the end of the season?

Roberto: “I'm sorry for him because he was one of my perfect players. He is a very specific player for me, like Kudus, like Romero. I hope for him that he can play in the World Cup because the World Cup for a player is a moment, is the best period of their career. I don't know the situation very well.”

Predict the score | Wolves vs Spurs

Why did Pape Matar Sarr miss the game against Brighton – is he available for tomorrow?

Roberto: “He felt pain in the shoulder and this week he has not worked with the group. He is not available to play.”

Also on Vicario – is he available tomorrow? If he is, it would be a difficult decision to pick between him and Antonin Kinsky...

Roberto: “No, Vicario is not available for tomorrow. I hope he can start with me from Monday. Antonin is playing very well and from Monday we go to work with him. I hope Vicario can come back in the best physical condition because he is another very important player for us.”

Xavi Simons stepped up against Brighton, Pedro Porro scored – which players are you wanting to step up?

Roberto: “I think Xavi Simons but also Gallagher. I watched the same Gallagher when he played in Chelsea. Dominic Solanke played a great game, Micky van de Ven, I don't know what the problem was, but everyone knows my opinion about him. Pedro Porro scored a goal, but he played an important game. Udogie, Danso I think maybe can improve in the confidence, not in the attitude because he is a good guy, he worked a lot in the defensive phase, especially in the defensive space, but Kolo Muani in the second half, in the second part of the game, Mathys Tel, both can play better. Not play better because they are playing bad, but because they have a big, big talent and I want to see all this talent on the pitch.”

What are you hoping to see from Kolo Muani and why are you sticking with him?

Roberto: “For sure, we have to start from one clear point. It's not the best position for him, right winger, and also for Mathys Tel, because Mathys Tel is more of a winger, but in the left side. For a winger, from my experience because I was a winger, it's a totally different playing the left and the right side. Both they can play and we need them in that position, because just one player has to play not in their favourite position. I think it's not a problem about the position of the pitch, but I think the confidence and the players can change completely, performance depends on the confidence. If they feel totally confident from the coach, from the environment, from the fans, and they want to help them both to play following their qualities, that's just it.”

What do you think of the work you've done with the players so far?

Roberto: “I'm very happy. I'm happy to work here because the part of the staff I found when I came is special, as a guy, as a professional and the players the same, they are following me, they are good guys. Sometimes when one team is losing too many games, the rumours are not nice as a behaviour, as the people speak about not too much serious players. No, it's not like this in this case. I found good players, good guys, serious players, they are following me, they believe in my words, because I am able to recognise the eyes of the players. We are suffering, they are suffering, because it's not easy to play in this condition of the table. I said they have to be stronger and they have to live to win a game. We have to live every part of the day waiting for a win, preparing a win, because I think with a win we can change this part of the season.”

We head to Molineux this weekend with full focus on claiming three points but know we will be in for a tough test with the men in black and gold unbeaten in the league at their Wolverhampton home since early February.

We have also endured a difficult run at Molineux, having won just one of our last visits there. In fact, we have been unable to beat Wolves in any of our last six attempts.

But, as we look to end our own tough run in the league in 2026, Roberto de Zerbi believes a win can change everything for the team, and so all our energies are going into coming away from the West Midlands with all three points.

Predict the score | Wolves vs Spurs

SPURSPLAY