Tottenham Hotspur head to Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, 29 July, for a pre‑season friendly against Sydney FC, with manager Roberto De Zerbi expected to field a stronger side after a youth‑heavy win over Auckland FC. The match kicks off at 10:45 am BST and offers the Spurs a chance to integrate new signings before the Premier League campaign begins.
Who will line up for Tottenham Hotspur?
De Zerbi is set to start the newly‑signed Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke, both of whom missed the Auckland fixture due to travel acclimation. The midfield could see Sandro Tonali and James Maddison on the bench as they recover from minor fitness concerns, while Jamie Donley remains a doubt after hobbling off in the previous game. Several first‑team regulars – Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario – stayed in London for injury rehab, and international finalists Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Marcos Senesi and Djed Spence remain on extended leave.
What does Sydney FC bring to the fixture?
Sydney FC, coached by Patrick Kisnorbo, will blend veteran leadership with emerging talent. Centre‑back Marcel Tisserand anchors the defence, while Victor Campuzano leads the attack. Youngsters Tiago Quintal, fresh from a hat‑trick in the Australia Cup, and 17‑year‑old winger Akol Akon are expected to start, offering pace and flair against the Premier League side. Kisnorbo may also rotate academy products such as Kamijo and Youlley to match Tottenham's tactical intensity.
Why is this friendly important for Spurs?
The match provides De Zerbi a live test of his squad’s cohesion ahead of a Premier League season that ended 2025 with Tottenham finishing 17th, 41 points, and a recent form of W L D W W. With 48 goals scored and 57 conceded last season (‑9 goal difference), the club must tighten defence and integrate new arrivals quickly. A solid performance against Australian opposition could boost confidence and help close the 44‑point gap to league leaders Arsenal.
How can fans watch the game?
The friendly will be streamed live on the club’s official platforms and broadcast on local Australian sports channels. Viewers can also follow live updates via Tottenham Hotspur’s social media feeds, which will provide minute‑by‑minute commentary and post‑match analysis.
What lies ahead for Tottenham Hotspur?
After the Sydney fixture, Spurs will continue their Australian‑New Zealand tour before returning to England for the final pre‑season preparations. The next high‑profile match is scheduled against a top‑flight European side, where De Zerbi will likely field his strongest eleven to fine‑tune tactics ahead of the league opener. Success in these friendlies could set the tone for a campaign aimed at climbing the table and challenging for European spots.
