Brentford vs Tottenham: Predicted starting 11 for first Premier League game of the season

Tottenham Hotspur are still working on new attacking signings before the summer 2026 transfer window ends with Liverpool star Cody Gakpo and a double swoop for Manchester CIty forwards Omar Marmoush and Savinho still in the works for Roberto De Zerbi.

But since Spurs are unlikely to close these mega deals and have the new faces in the starting lineup ready by Saturday, Tottenham will have to face Brentford without any incoming attacking stars and have some injury question marks to answer before battling their local rivals.

Here is a look at the predicted starting 11 for De Zerbi's Tottenham against Brentford on Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 Premier League season this weekend.

Defense: GK Antonin Kinsky - LB Andy Robertson - CB Micky van de Ven - CB Jan Paul van Hecke - RB Pedro Porro

Destiny Udogie recently returned to practice and could potentially be in play if De Zerbi's strategy all along was to rest the Italian international so he could be totally healthy for Matchday 1, but it is more likely that Udogie will need to come off the bench and get sharp for the competitive games. That's why Tottenham signed Andy Robertson, who was brilliant and way better than expected by the end of the preseason.

As for the other four starting defensive players, there are no surprises. They are all locked in as the main starters in De Zerbi's best Xi for the rest of the season, unless Marcos Senesi pushes the envelope for minutes.

Midfield: DM Sandro Tonali - DM Mateus Fernandes - AM Conor Gallagher

James Maddison did not suffer any sort of an injury aggravation, but it feels like he is still not 100 percent healthy and that Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham Hotspur are easing him along even more gingerly than Destiny Udogie. Conor Gallagher is a trusted lieutenant for De Zerbi, and if he can't be a success as a pressing No. 10 against Brentford, then what can he do?

As for the double pivot, there are no concerns about Mateus Fernandes being injured. He and Sandro Tonali are locked in and ready to dominate.

Forwards: LW Mathys Tel - ST Richarlison - RW Mikey Moore

Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski are not yet fully healthy, so Mikey Moore gets one last shot to impress De Zerbi in a real Premier League game before likely heading off on loan to FC Koln when Spurs secure their new forward additions. Dominic Solanke would not start anyway, but he is still returning to full health, too. Mathys Tel won't get to start many more games, but he is the main player to watch for Tottenham's attack against Brentford this weekend after an insane preseason.