Tottenham lineup vs. Burnley: Predicted XI for Premier League clash including latest on axe star
Tottenham Hotspur will kick off their 2025-26 Premier League campaign this Saturday when newly-promoted Burnley arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It’s the start of a fresh domestic chapter under new manager Thomas Frank, but the build-up has been overshadowed by uncertainty over the involvement of midfielder Yves Bissouma.
The Mali international’s absence in Wednesday night’s UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain raised eyebrows, and it later emerged that he had been dropped for repeated lateness to team commitments. Sources close to the squad suggest that this was not an isolated incident, with Frank keen to set a precedent early in his tenure that discipline is non-negotiable. Whether this tough-love approach means Bissouma is exiled for the opener or given a chance to redeem himself will likely be confirmed in Frank’s pre-match press conference. Until then, fans remain in the dark over whether the former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder will play any part against the Clarets.
In Bissouma’s absence, Wednesday’s match in Udine saw Bayern Munich loanee Joao Palhinha make his Spurs debut in competitive action. The Portuguese enforcer, known for his commanding presence and ball-winning ability, is expected to retain his place in midfield and could be partnered once again with Rodrigo Bentancur in a double pivot. This pairing, which showed glimpses of balance and control against PSG, may become a go-to option for Frank while injuries continue to limit his creative options further forward.
Tottenham are already without the injured James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, two players integral to unlocking defences. Against PSG, 21-year-old Pape Matar Sarr stepped into the advanced midfield role, acting as the link between midfield and attack. However, with the quick turnaround between fixtures and the physical demands of the Super Cup, Frank may opt to rotate. Highly rated Swedish teenager Lucas Bergvall could get the nod as the central playmaker, offering fresh legs and a more measured passing game from the number 10 position.
If Bergvall is handed a starting role, he is likely to join Mohammed Kudus — Spurs’ marquee summer signing from West Ham United — in the attacking midfield trio. The Ghanaian impressed on the right flank in midweek and is expected to keep his place. Alongside him, Brennan Johnson could benefit from a tactical reshuffle. Frank deployed a defence-heavy system against PSG, but with Burnley less likely to dominate possession, he is tipped to revert to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 shape. This could also see Dominic Solanke, fresh from replacing Richarlison in the second half against PSG, lead the line from the start. The England international’s intelligent movement and link-up play make him an ideal focal point against a well-organised Burnley side.
Defensively, Spurs are expected to make at least one change. The UEFA Super Cup saw Frank crowd his backline to deal with PSG’s attacking threat, but Kevin Danso is likely to be sacrificed to accommodate the extra attacker. Pedro Porro should start at right-back, with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero continuing their strong partnership at centre-half. On the left, Djed Spence is expected to keep his place in the absence of the injured Destiny Udogie, providing energy and defensive cover down the flank.
In goal, Guglielmo Vicario remains the undisputed number one and will be looking to start the league season with a clean sheet.
Predicted Tottenham Hotspur XI vs Burnley (4-2-3-1):
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kudus, Bergvall, Johnson; Solanke
With the tension surrounding Bissouma’s potential inclusion, the Premier League opener presents Frank with both a challenge and an opportunity — to stamp his tactical identity on the side while reinforcing the disciplinary standards he wants to uphold. Burnley, under Vincent Kompany, will be eager to prove they belong back in the top flight, but Spurs’ quality, even with injuries and off-field distractions, should make them favourites in front of a home crowd hungry for a strong start to the campaign.