Tottenham’s pre-season campaign continues with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Getafe at Hotspur Way this weekend.
Spurs have returned to London after a productive tour of New Zealand and Australia, and will be looking to make it five games without defeat this summer as the start of the Premier League draws nearer.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side ended their trip Down Under with a dramatic 2-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea, scoring with virtually the last kick of the game through Richarlison despite being reduced to 10 men after Kevin Danso was sent off.
Spurs are gearing up nicely for the new campaign, but there are still a few issues for De Zerbi to iron out before they head to Brentford in two weeks' time.
Injury concerns continue to hamper the team’s preparations and De Zerbi has been careful not to take unnecessary risks with certain players so far this summer.
Destiny Udogie and James Maddison have still yet to feature at all in pre-season, and there are suggestions that the latter is in a race against time to be fit to face Brentford due to a hip problem.
Micky van de Ven, who is on the verge of signing a new contract, has also sat on the sidelines since his return from the World Cup, while Dominic Solanke was given his first minutes of pre-season against Chelsea.
De Zerbi is right to be cautious as Spurs’ season unravelled in large part due to injuries last year.
Building relationships and understanding, especially after a heavy summer of spending, is important, though, and the Italian will hope to name a near full-strength team against Getafe.
There was encouraging footage of long-term absentees Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski in training this week, with videos of the pair running together at Hotspur Way.
Kudus has been out since January with a serious quad injury, while Kulusevski has not played for over a year after suffering a patella injury in May 2025.
Spurs are being particularly careful with Kulusevski after such a long period on the sidelines. The Swedish playmaker is not yet in team training and remains some way from returning to match action.
Kudus, though, is closing in on a return to full fitness and is training with the rest of the squad. It seems doubtful, however, that he will play any part against Getafe.
Mateus Fernandes has also returned to training after a calf issue ruled him out of Spurs’ last two games, and the £85million man will be in contention to play on Saturday.
After Getafe, Spurs take on Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim in a double-header of friendlies next weekend before their Premier League curtain-raiser away to Brentford.
Predicted Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Gray, Van de Ven, Van Hecke, Robertson, Fernandes, Tonali, Williams-Barnett, Gallagher, Tel, Solanke
Doubts: Maddison, Udogie, Kudus
Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday August 8, 2026
Venue: Hotspur Way
How to watch: SPURSPLAY
