AliousTottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action this weekend with a crucial clash against already relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers.
When the two sides last met, Spurs were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, coming from behind to rescue a point thanks to a late strike from João Palhinha.
However, a similar result this time would do little to improve Tottenham’s situation. With just five games remaining, they find themselves in the relegation zone, making this fixture a must-win. Victory could lift them out of the bottom three and above West Ham United into 17th place—provided the Hammers fail to beat Everton.
Ahead of the game, head coach Roberto De Zerbi has offered an update on the fitness of James Maddison.
Reports earlier in the week suggested that several Spurs players could miss the match, with Maddison among those doubts. Although he returned to the squad for the recent draw with Brighton, he remained an unused substitute.
De Zerbi has now confirmed that the midfielder is not yet ready to feature fully. Speaking about his condition, he explained that Maddison is still experiencing some discomfort, though it is not considered serious. The manager added that while the playmaker is unlikely to play, he could still be named on the bench due to his leadership and positive influence within the squad.
| Injured player | Injury | Potential Return |
| Wilson Odobert | Knee | November 2026 |
| Dejan Kulusevski | Knee | May 2026 |
| Mohammed Kudus | Quad | Unknown |
| Ben Davies | Ankle | Mid April 2026 |
| Guglielmo Vicario | Hernia | April 2026 |
| Cristian Romero | Knee | June 2026 |
| Destiny Udogie | Muscular | Doubt |
Spurs need leadership as James Maddison absence continuesSpurs could do with more leaders in the coming weeks as they battle to stay in the Premier League for the rest of the seasonJames Maddison is one such voice who can spur the side on, even when he is not on the pitch for Tottenham.
The Englishman will, however, have to bide his time on the sidelines as he continues to recover from his ACL injury, which will likely keep him out until next season.Xavi Simons looked sharp in the number ten role against Brighton, and De Zerbi will hope the Dutchman can continue to impress in the absence of Maddison.
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