Tottenham Hotspur are being tipped for a remarkable Premier League revival after a disastrous campaign that saw the Lilywhites come dangerously close to the relegation battle. Spurs endured one of their most difficult seasons in recent memory, with the club at one stage dropping as low as 18th during the tense run-in and looking alarmingly vulnerable.
Yet, just when the situation appeared to be spiralling out of control, Roberto De Zerbi arrived and helped steady the ship. The Italian manager proved to be a crucial appointment, guiding Tottenham away from serious danger and preserving the club’s proud record of never having been relegated from the Premier League.
Now, however, survival is no longer enough. Tottenham must turn the page.
With De Zerbi preparing for his first full campaign in charge, expectations are beginning to rise dramatically around North London. Spurs are expected to use the summer transfer window to strengthen several areas of the squad, and there is growing belief that the club could make a sensational leap up the Premier League table.
One of the biggest predictions has now come from TalkSPORT pundit Jeff Stelling, whose assessment of Tottenham’s prospects has immediately caught the attention of supporters.
Stelling has predicted that Spurs will finish fifth in the 2026/27 Premier League season—a staggering 12-place improvement from their position last campaign.
That prediction would represent one of the biggest turnarounds in Tottenham’s recent history.
Stelling’s projected top five consists of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, placing De Zerbi’s side ahead of several clubs that have recently enjoyed stronger league campaigns.
Most notably, Tottenham have been tipped to finish above both Liverpool and Aston Villa, teams that have finished ahead of Spurs in the Premier League during the previous two seasons.
For Tottenham supporters, the prediction could be viewed as a huge vote of confidence in De Zerbi and the direction the club is taking.
It may sound ambitious, but there are legitimate reasons why Spurs could dramatically improve. One major advantage is the lack of European football. After such a poor domestic campaign, Tottenham will not have the additional burden of juggling European fixtures alongside their Premier League commitments.
That could prove extremely important.
De Zerbi should have more time to prepare his team, work on tactical patterns and develop consistency without having to constantly rotate his squad because of midweek European matches. A lighter schedule could allow Spurs to focus heavily on the Premier League and build momentum.
The Italian manager will also have the opportunity to fully implement his footballing philosophy. De Zerbi is known for demanding possession-based, aggressive and technically intelligent football, and a full pre-season with his players could make a major difference.
Tottenham’s summer recruitment could be another decisive factor.
If Spurs successfully strengthen the squad with quality additions while keeping their key players fit, the gap between them and the Premier League’s leading clubs could close significantly. The club’s ambition appears to be moving away from simply avoiding another disappointing season and towards competing for European football.
A fifth-place finish would therefore be transformational.
It could potentially put Tottenham back into the Champions League, depending on England’s European qualification allocation, while also restoring belief among supporters who have endured a turbulent period.
Of course, predictions are not guarantees. The Premier League remains brutally competitive, and Tottenham would have to produce consistent performances across an entire season to turn Stelling’s bold forecast into reality.
But after coming perilously close to the bottom last season, Spurs now have an opportunity to shock everyone.
From fighting to stay up to potentially fighting for Champions League football, the transformation under De Zerbi could be one of the biggest stories of the new Premier League campaign.
If Stelling’s prediction comes true, Tottenham fans may look back on last season as the painful beginning of an extraordinary comeback.
