Is this how they collapse? Tottenham cannot find an escape from its endless fall. The reality of remaining in the relegation zone without a single victory since the start of 2026 is truly shocking.

Tottenham will play BRIGHTEN in the 33rd round of the 2025-2026 Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on the 19th (KST). Tottenham, currently with 30 points and sitting 18th, is in desperate need of a win to escape the relegation zone.

The mood has not revived. Roberto De Zerbi made his first appearance in the previous match against Sunderland, but the result was a defeat. In the second half an opponent's shot struck Micky van de Ven, deflected, and was unlucky enough to be sucked into the goal. Ultimately they failed to add points and also failed to climb the table.

Only six matches remain until the end of the season. But the team's situation worsened. Cristian Romero, the defensive linchpin and captain, is out with a knee injury, and Guglielmo Vicario, who guarded the goal, also cannot play in this match. With key pillars missing at the same time, the gap in strength has grown.

At least the possible returns of some players are a positive factor. In a pregame interview De Zerbi said, "Yves Bissouma is 100% fit. Rodrigo Bentancur can play, but I do not know yet whether he will start."

James Maddison's return is also imminent, but a cautious approach was chosen. De Zerbi said, "It is better to let Maddison rest one more match than to expose him to another injury risk." The decision took into account the case of Mohammed Kudus, who suffered a new injury just before his recent expected return.

On Romero's absence he emphasized the responsibility of the whole team. De Zerbi said, "I want every player, including those not in the starting lineup, to feel themselves as the captain. We cannot just cry. To get out of this situation we must all push together and become stronger."

Attempts to escape the crisis continued. To build team cohesion, the whole squad held a team dinner. De Zerbi joked in an attempt to lift the mood, "I do not know whether one dinner will make us win the match. But the food was really excellent, and if we win I am willing to pay out of my own pocket every week."

Whether Tottenham, driven to the edge, can use the match against BRIGHTEN as a turning point has made this game more than just one match. 

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