Tottenham Hotspur

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

If Spurs draw, they will definitely still finish in the top eight if no more than three of the nine teams who could then overtake them win.

There are also numerous other permutations should Tottenham draw. For instance, they could afford for three of the teams on 13 points to win, along with Inter Milan and Juventus – both a point further back – as long as the latter two sides don't win by more than one and three-goal margins respectively.

Should that sequence of results happen but Inter and Juventus both match Tottenham's goal difference, the next two tiebreakers are total goals scored and away goals scored. Thomas Frank's side are currently top or joint top for those among the three sides but it's too close to call.

A shock home defeat for Liverpool against Qarabag would mean Spurs climb above them with a point. In that scenario, Thomas Frank's side could afford for four teams to overtake them and still finish in the top eight.

The same applies if Spurs draw and Real Madrid lose heavily – realistically by a four-goal margin – to Benfica. If that happens AND Liverpool lose, it would need six teams to overtake Tottenham and deny them automatic qualification for the last 16.

Still with us? Though unlikely, Spurs could lose and still end up in the top eight. The Lilywhites' favourable goal difference means they can afford a two-goal defeat in Germany provided PSG v Newcastle doesn't end in a draw and no more than two of the other nine chasing sides win – or three teams if one of those is Borussia Dortmund and they don't triumph with a four-goal swing in their favour.

Additionally, a two-goal defeat for Spurs and a draw for Chelsea would mean the two sides are level on points and goal difference, so could be split by goals scored; Tottenham currently have one more.

Whatever happens, Spurs are guaranteed to finish in the top 16 and will therefore be seeded if they're involved in the play-off round, giving them home advantage in the second leg.

Did you know?

• This will be Frankfurt's fifth meeting with Spurs since the 2022-23 season. Spurs have won two and drawn two so far, including a 2-1 aggregate win in the Europa League quarter-final last season.

• Frankfurt have now conceded three goals in five consecutive games in 2026.

Image source, Getty Images

Key Frankfurt players - Can Uzun

Uzun is part of an exciting crop of Turkey players with Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz. After an impressive debut season with Frankfurt he has stepped up again this year with eight goals in 20 appearances.

He is expected to be the next player to depart Frankfurt for big money. Tottenham, Villa and Newcastle have been linked with a £69m move.

Germany icon Lothar Matthaus called Uzun "absolutely world-class" in September.

Matthaus added: "The ball loves him because he consistently makes the right decisions. He needed a bit of time and hired a private coach in the summer, and now he's someone who has the entire game under control."

Frankfurt squad summary

Familiar names include Mario Gotze and Michy Batshuayi. The former has four Champions League appearances, but the latter is yet to start in the tournament this season.

Tottenham's Czech keeper Antonin Kinsky, 22, and Chelsea's French defender Axel Disasi, 27, have had West Ham United looking at loan deals but the Hammers will have to send Brazilian defender Igor Julio, 27, back to Brighton to help make both deals happens. (Guardian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column.

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Frank on Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven's availability: "Pedro hasn't travelled, he picked up a hamstring injury, so he will be out for four weeks. Micky hasn't travelled – minor thing. Possibly available for the weekend [game against Man City]. We have limited players available, so since that game [against Dortmund], Lucas [Bergvall] is not available and Pedro [Porro]."

• On form in the league and Europe being different: "First and foremost, tomorrow we have a great opportunity to secure a position in the top eight, which will be a very good result and achievement. Very positive and looking forward to that. In many ways we haven't got on the right side to get the three points."

• On Spurs doing more business before deadline day: "We are in the market and we do everything we can to see if we can improve the squad. We have said that the whole time. When things are not exactly where we want it, and we have injuries, you can be pushed and forced to make decisions you don't really want to take. We have to be smart, cool and calm."

• On Wilson Odobert and Randal Kolo Muani's car accident, which occurred this Tuesday morning: "They were together and they are fine. It was on the way to the airport. Then they fly out later. I fully expect them both to be available tomorrow."

• On the game against Frankfurt: "I think it is again not about me, it is about us. We can finish in the top eight in the best club tournament in the world. Some of the performances is what we need to take going forward and build on that."

Listen to coverage of the Champions League on BBC Radio 5 Live from 19:00 GMT

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves have rejected a £6.9m offer from Roma for defender David Moller Wolfe.

It was instantly dismissed by the Molineux club on Monday afternoon and not taken as a serious offer.

It is unlikely the 23-year-old would be allowed to leave as Wolves would need a replacement before the 2 February deadline.

The left-back only joined Wolves from AZ Alkmaar in the summer for £10m and has made 16 appearances for for the club, who are bottom of the Premier League.

Should Roma find a replacement it would allow Liverpool loanee Kostas Tsimikas to leave the Stadio Olimpico.

Liverpool had agreed a deal in principle of around £5m with Tottenham for the sale of Andy Robertson, but it was dependent on the Reds being able to recall left-back Tsimikas from Roma, which they have not been able to do so far.

Wolves have also turned down a £33m offer, with £6m add-ons, from Leeds for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

They are open to refreshing the squad before a likely relegation to the Championship with Marshall Munetsi joining Paris FC on loan and Fer Lopez returning to Celta Vigo on loan.

Midfielders Andre and Joao Gomes and winger Jhon Arias also have interest before Monday's 19:00 GMT deadline.

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

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Sometimes I find myself daydreaming about the return of Mauricio Pochettino.

As Tottenham continue their woeful run in the Premier League under Thomas Frank, I am contemplating the last time I enjoyed watching us play.

There were some fun moments with Ange Postecoglou, but in all honesty, Angeball brought me more anxiety than enjoyment.

The last manager who built something close to sustainable at Spurs was Pochettino.

Granted, things had fallen apart by the time the Argentine was sacked in 2019, but most fans would agree that the club should have backed him in the transfer market long before then. If they had, oh how different things might have been.

Which makes me wonder, would it be different if Poch had another chance at Spurs?

Indeed, would it be a delight or a disaster?

In all the ways that matter, not much has improved internally at Spurs since Poch left. Daniel Levy has gone, but I am yet to see how this has actually benefited us.

I am hopeful that changes are being made to the wage structure, because this has significantly impacted our ability to attract and retain quality players in the past.

However, there seems to be a significant issue with our medical team – otherwise I do not know how you explain our persistent injury crisis.

The reality is, there are problems at Spurs that even Poch and his lemons failed to solve the last time he was here.

So, could he make it work a second time? Or would it spoil the fondness so many of us feel for him?

There is not much joy to be found supporting Spurs right now, so let me dream a little longer about a glorious return for Pochettino. After all, he's magic, you know?

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

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Once again, it feels like Thomas Frank is on the brink.

Despite Cristian Romero's late equaliser, he and his Tottenham team were booed off by the away end after a 2-2 draw at Burnley - the continuation of a backing track that looks unlikely to stop any time soon.

Spurs fans appear almost universal in their displeasure at the football being offered up, and it is hard to look beyond his next defeat being his last.

They are simply not creating the quality of chances to win games. Only Sunderland (23.12) and the bottom two of Wolves (20.69) and Burnley (19.93) have created less than Spurs' expected goals (xG) of 23.95.

Frank's Brentford were setup to feed the ball to their fast and direct attackers - such as Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa - as quickly as possible, and finished the 2024-25 season with the league's eighth-best xG.

Whereas he previously has forward players he could rely upon to provide consistent output, Spurs' highest Premier League goalscorer this season is Richarlison with seven.

Joint second with four each are the central defensive pairing of Romero and Micky van de Ven, while none of offensive summer signings Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani has scored more than twice in the league.

To address the balance, Frank has tried to build a solid defence to provide the bedrock to win Premier league points, but this only makes him more vulnerable to criticism from the fanbase when results do not follow.

Only Wolves (7) and Everton (12) have made fewer that Tottenham's Opta-defined 13 fast breaks so far this campaign, in sharp contrast to Keith Andrews' Brentford who lead the division on 43.

A midweek win over Borussia Dortmund and a late equaliser at Burnley on Saturday may show the players have not downed tools on Frank, but they remain inconsistent and ill-disciplined.

Despite not picking up any at Turf Moor, Spurs have received the most cards in the Premier League this season - 60 (58 yellows and two reds).

Yellows for tactical fouls to stop fast breaks and for game management to see through results are an inevitable by-products of the modern game, but such a tally in such a poor season shows a frustration and lack of control.

This is not a squad of players who have turned on their manager, but it is one that lacks identity, direction and, above all, belief.

*all stats provided by Opta

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

It's safe to say the support for Thomas Frank is not universal behind the scenes at Tottenham.

There are certainly figures at the club - pretty high-ranking figures - who believe that change should be made and probably should have been made way in advance of the draw at Burnley at the weekend.

Crucially though, the top of the club, the ownership of the Lewis family, the chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and the co-sporting director Johan Lange want to give Frank as much opportunity to turn things around as possible.

There's an understanding behind the scenes that there is an element of change. The team is transitioning on the field and off the field and they understand that Frank has been dealt a bit of a rough hand when it comes to that.

But, with all of that said, I think they are coming round to the idea that a change may be necessary if he can't halt that form.

I think the Champions League game against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night will be pretty important when it comes to his future.

Their upcoming run of fixtures is horrific but what I think is one of the key elements and key aspects of this whole thing is the fans and the protests.

That stadium when they lose matches is toxic and their home form is atrocious. It will just be a case of how many toxic afternoons and nights can the board and the ownership tolerate.

They are pretty close to reaching their limit.

Frank has got plenty of goodwill and there is an understanding that he has been dealt a rough hand, but there will come a point in time where enough is enough.

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Burnley fans

Graham: Almost....but not quite! The story of Burnley's season so far. Improved performance again, and a display of what Burnley fans expect; effort; courage; resilience. In the end, though, just not enough to get over the line. We're being cut adrift, and it's now going to take more than a little luck to survive.

Martin: We played well in fits and starts. Not good enough for the Premier League and too good for the Championship, but that's where we are heading. Could this be another team rebuild or can we keep most of the squad together? I'm still not sure about Scott Parker, is he good enough? We really needed better strikers from the beginning of the season.

John: Burnley just blew their chance of going above West Ham next week. Three points from this game would have been massive.

Steve: So frustrating watching Burnley this season. There are bouts of great tackling and closing down, but too many times we give the ball away with poor passes or dwell on the ball and lose possession. Armando Broja has worked hard but he had three through balls and didn't covert one! We will keep plugging away but we are in this grey place of being too good for the Championship but not good enough for the Premier League.

Tottenham fans

Ray: The team on the pitch was well qualified to beat Burnley. Our lack of class and cutting edge up front is a massive problem. This is why Cristian Romero takes it upon himself to act as a striker at times. Many teams in the league have injuries so we can't keep hiding behind this excuse. We need to concentrate more.

Kevin: Micky van de Ven and Romero will get the plaudits for scoring goals, however, they need to start defending. Both goals were completely avoidable with a little communication. There is not a true leader in that team. Tactically I've noticed all season that we don't get players out wide to stop crosses, so that has to be on Thomas Frank. Teams with similar injury issues either have the quality to compete, or the guts to dig in, and this team has neither.

Barry: We should look at the players as well as Frank. He picked eight of the players that played against Borussia Dortmund and they looked like chalk and cheese. Why they can't play two consecutive matches well is a question that needs answering.

Raj: The players battled hard and are clearly trying, as is Frank, but it clearly isn't working. No clear strategy or vision of how to play in the final third which is why goals are lacking and games are not won. The team look lost once they get into the opposition box. Sadly, Frank needs to go as he's in over his head.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 2-0 Wolves

• Burnley 2-2 Tottenham

• Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool

Match of the Day pundit Ashley Williams says it was "like Comedy Central at the back for Tottenham" against Burnley because of a misshaped defensive line.

"You want your defenders to defend and take pride in that," said former Wales defender Williams. "Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero got the goals, but there were more even problems at the back against a Burnley side who have now gone 14 games without a win.

"I just think in the second half it was so easy for Burnley. They had four big chances in the game and I'm sure Thomas Frank will be unhappy with how his team defended.

"There's a lack of discipline and focus when Spurs need calmness from their big players and leaders.

"It is like Comedy Central at the back for Tottenham. It's all higgledy-piggledy.

"Yes, they score goals, but I think the Tottenham fan base would prefer their defenders to defend properly and get a clean sheet.

"The shape looks like something from training and they just didn't know what was being asked of them. They didn't know their individual roles as a back three."

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank was grateful for the point Cristian Romero's header gave his side - but it did not spare him another furious reaction from the travelling fans.

"Sacked in the morning" rang out from the visiting section of Turf Moor - along with other more unprintable chants - as Frank and his players made their way towards the dressing room.

The level of discontent surely makes Frank's situation unsustainable after they failed to finish off a Burnley team who increasingly look like prime relegation candidates.

Spurs should have won this game, only to run into a formidable barrier of defiance in the shape of Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka.

Instead, they were left desperately chasing an equaliser that gave them the scant consolation of a point, although Spurs fans did not seem to be consoled by it.

Spurs now have only two wins in their past 14 Premier League games - but there is the good news that a win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday would put them straight through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

In this game, however, there was little to cheer.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's draw at Burnley: "A very good first half, except for the last shot. It was a game we dominated and create chances, scoring a goal. Should have scored a second one. Then we are out of sight.

"We can never, ever, ever concede that goal just before half-time.

"Second half was a bit more back and forth, we were not on top of it as much. I don't think we dealt well enough with that spell.

"Then we concede another bad goal, we can never concede. We should never be that open.

"Then we had a strong end with strong character with a lot of offensive subs to get the equaliser. We had three or four very big chances and scored one of them.

"This is a game where we created a lot, do more than enough to win the game. We just didn't defend well enough in two situations.

"We created a lot of chances today, which has sometimes been the problem. Today we did that. Normally we have been quite strong defensively but we can never concede those two goals."

On Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka's performance: "He had a fantastic game with some fantastic saves. Praise to him."

On if he can focus on the character to come back: " It's very important to focus on the start of the game. And the first half is really good. We came here, on top of it, creating chances, 1-0 and could have scored a second one.

"Then it's important to focus on how strong we ended with that character to keep fighting. But we have to improve the bit in the middle."

On pressure: "I know but you can't say we didn't do everything to win. We just need to keep improving. The only way it can be is calm heads, carry on and keep doing what we think is the right thing.

"You see the game today. We do more than enough to win the game, we just need to defend better in two situations. And, of course, score another goal that could make the difference at 1-0."

Did you know?

• Tottenham have scored more headed goals (10) and had more goals scored via defenders (nine) than any other side in the Premier League this season.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Burnley's performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Burnley are unchanged from the side that got a point against Liverpool last time out.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker (c), Esteve, Tuanzebe, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Anthony, Humphreys, Florentino, Pires, Broja.

Subs: Weiss, Larsen, Foster, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Sonne, Mejbri, Laurent, Barnes.

Yves Bissouma starts for Tottenham, while Dominic Solanke retains his play in the first XI after scoring on his first start of the season against Borussia Dortmund in midweek.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Danso, Xavi, Bissouma, Romero (c), Solanke, Gallagher, Porro, Spence, Odobert, van de Ven.

Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Tel, Udogie, Gray, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Byfield, Williams-Barnett.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• West Ham v Sunderland (12:30)

• Burnley v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Brighton

• Man City v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Bournemouth v Liverpool (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Manchester City v Wolves" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Liverpool", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

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Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha has been speaking to Kelly Somers for this week's The Football Interview.

"When I moved to Bayern, I didn't expect to to return as quick," he said.

"But when the opportunity of Tottenham came, I didn't think too much, you know, because this league is really special for me.

"I don't think you can compare the Premier League with any other league. You always miss the Premier League when you go. It has something really special. Everyone in the world watches the Premier League and the teams are probably the most competitive in the world.

"The call from the coach helped a lot for me to join the club, to show me his interest. When it's a coach from a top club, he's calling for you and trying to push you as much as he did, I think you should do it.

"It was an easy choice for me at that moment. The truth is I didn't want to leave Bayern because I was just one season there, and I wanted to prove my value and what I'm capable of. But at the same time, I think I needed to play. I needed to shine again.

"Our season is definitely not the easiest season or one we wished for. Not just the players, but also the supporters and the staff. We are only halfway through the season and there are many things to happen until the end.

"It is not the excuse, but I think the injuries had a big impact on the team. This is something definitely and clear for me. I think the results have been poor but at the same time, I think the team have been improving. We will get some [good results] definitely."

Read the transcript from the interview

Or find the interview on BBC Sounds

I am covering this game for BBC Radio 5 Live with Ian Dennis and it is another tricky one to call.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank really needed Tuesday's win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League but he is still under pressure, and this is not an easy game for Spurs either.

When Liverpool went 1-0 up against Burnley last week and were creating loads of chances, I thought I was on for an exact score - I'd gone for a 2-0 Reds win.

I couldn't believe it when Burnley equalised but that result sums them up, because they are still scrapping for survival at the bottom of the table, and fighting hard in every game.

It is unlikely they are going to stay up from here, but it is not impossible. They probably need another five or six wins from their last 16 games - and they have had only three so far from their first 22.

Their home games are going to be crucial to get them to safety, so this almost feels must-win for Scott Parker's side, even at this stage.

The Clarets have been competitive against everyone so far, including at Anfield last week, but I still don't see them getting the result they need.

This is going be a very tight game and it smells of a 1-1 to me, but we have already had 17 goalless draws in the Premier League this season, so I am going on trend and picking another one here.

That should guarantee we see a few goals now. I have got Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario in my fantasy team, so I am asking for trouble really.

Sutton's prediction: 0-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

You can listen to Sutton's full commentary of Burnley v Spurs on BBC Radio 5 Live