Tottenham Hotspur are about to host Premier League newcomers Burnley in the North Londoners’ first game of the 2026 campaign tomorrow, and it is lining up to be one of the games that has got many on the edge of their seats, given that Thomas Frank takes charge of his first official game on English shores donning that Lilywhites badge.
The North Londoners come into this game wanting to prove a point after that defeat against PSG on penalties in the midweek. And the onus will be on the hosts to control the game without getting dragged into a stop-start scrap, and we feel that this lineup will place the Lilywhites most ideally to do so.
Tottenham Predicted Lineup vs Burnley
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
Tottenham Hotspur predicted XI vs Burnley.
Guglielmo Vicario is the number one going into Tottenham predicted lineup vs Burnley
Vicario will keep his place in goal at Hotspur Way given that he has generally been quite influential in these sorts of games and the fact that he does look like Thomas Frank’s preferred number one choice going into the season. Ideally you’d expect him to ping accurate balls and remain calm whilst inviting Burnley’s press when on the ball.
Defence: Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence
Tottenham Hotspur predicted XI vs Burnley.
Romero and VDV come into our Tottenham predicted lineup vs Burnley after those goals against PSG
Going into the defensive line, Pedro Porro will start at right-back, and he will not just be a defensive full-back; given we have seen him holding width for the North Londoners in pre-season, he would almost be a second playmaker. His combination play with Kudus can end up overloading that right channel, which can force Parker to shuffle his midfield (which also ends up opening gaps centrally).
The North Londoners’ goalscoring duo from midweek will continue at the heart of defence as Cristian Romero partners with Micky van de Ven. They will look to continue their balanced manner of play where one is front-footed on duels while the other is covering anything behind.
Coming to the left would be Djed Spence, given his impressive performances in the pre-season, and he would be looking to use his athleticism to get an advantage.
Midfield: Palhinha, Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr
Tottenham Hotspur predicted XI vs Burnley.
Palhinha takes that DM spot in Tottenham predicted lineup vs Burnley
In the middle of the park, Rodrigo Bentancur will continue his slightly higher role following James Maddison’s injury whilst trying to dictate the tempo of the game with those disguised passes into the half-spaces. João Palhinha will be covering for him in that DM role, where the Portuguese international would be tasked with shutting down Hannibal Mejbri’s energy and getting the better of the Clarets’ rhythm. And between the aforementioned duo, they should own the second balls and keep the hosts in control.
Sarr will continue his more offensive role, which has seen him reap wide rewards in the preseason.
Forwards: Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert
Richy gets another opportunity to impress
Then, starting on the right, would be the North Londoners’ summer signing, Mohammed Kudus, who brings that ability to drive past a man and cut in to shoot, and he will ideally want to keep Burnley’s left-back guessing.
And through the middle, while Dominik Solanke got a run in the midweek, We don’t think the England international is ready to start, and Richarlison will ideally continue in that #9 role. The visiting centre-backs will not be looking to face his physicality given how smartly he uses his body. And then there is his tendency to scrap for every loose ball. The Brazilian has been impressive in the past weeks, but it’s time he started scoring some goals as well, and what better time than the first game of the season?
And starting on the left would be Wilson Odobert, who will line up against his former employers for the first time since his Tottenham transfer, and this is exactly the kind of subplot Frank will quietly love. You’d think he will try to hug the touchline early before he goes into his darting inside runs once Spence starts overlapping.
Mathys Tel receieved flak from several quarters for his performance in the UEFA Super Cup and the attacker is expected to once again start on the bench.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Burnley (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur, Sarr; Kudus, Richarlison, Odobert.