Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has rejected suggestions that West Ham United hold a significant advantage in the Premier League relegation battle due to playing before Spurs this weekend.
With the survival race entering its decisive phase, every fixture and every result is now carrying enormous weight. For Tottenham, the situation is especially tense, as they sit deep in the relegation zone with just a handful of games remaining.
West Ham’s clash against Brentford on Saturday gives them the chance to move five points clear of Spurs before De Zerbi’s side even kick off against Aston Villa on Sunday evening. However, the Tottenham boss insists that such permutations are irrelevant to his team’s mindset.
Spurs experienced the importance of other results last weekend when, despite earning a morale-boosting victory over Wolves — their first league win of 2026 — the day ended on a sour note after West Ham secured a late win against Everton, tightening the pressure on the North London club.
De Zerbi: Focus Only on Spurs’ Performance
Speaking ahead of the Villa clash, De Zerbi made clear that his only concern is his own team’s performance, not external factors such as scheduling or rival results.
“We think about Villa, and then we go to speak about the other games,” he told Football.London. “We cannot think about whether we play before or after. It can be negative or positive, but it doesn’t change our approach.”
He added: “I am clear, honest, and I say what I feel. I cannot change depending on who is in front of me.”
Belief in a Late Survival Push
Despite Spurs’ precarious position, De Zerbi remains optimistic that his squad can finish strongly. Following a 2-2 draw with Brighton earlier in the month, he suggested Tottenham are capable of winning all remaining matches.
“Yes, it’s possible because we have good players,” he said. “We must believe and focus on ourselves.”
When challenged on Spurs’ inconsistent form, De Zerbi responded sharply: “So what do we do? Stay negative? We must try.”
