Doubt: Dominic Solanke is in a race against time to face Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspurs Football Newsletter
Igor Tudor is likely to set Tottenham up in a back three as he begins his interim tenure at the North London Derby on Sunday afternoon.
The Croatian has favoured a 3-4-2-1 system throughout his managerial career and may well stick to that as he takes charge of Spurs for the very first time.
He will have to pick a robust midfield to contain Premier League leaders Arsenal, even if the Gunners’ draws against Brentford and Wolves suggest Spurs could have some success — especially if they can instigate a ‘new-manager bounce’.
That could see Yves Bissouma brought in to partner Pape Matar Sarr, with Conor Gallagher allowed to function as one of two No10s, trusted to press high.
Sacked former manager Thomas Frank had said in one of his final pre-match press conferences that it would be the ‘dream scenario’ to welcome back Pedro Porro and Richarlison from injury for this weekend’s North London Derby, but Tudor says he will “probably not” be welcoming anyone back for the game.
Porro and Richarlison have both been nursing hamstring injuries, with Porro having missed the last four games in all competitions while Richarlison has missed the last seven games.
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Spurs are without as many as 12 senior first-team players through injury and suspension ahead of Sunday’s game, and Tudor confirmed only 13 were in training.
Dominic Solanke has been unwell with a cough but he is only considered a minor doubt and may well feature on Sunday.
Wilson Odobert became the latest victim of Spurs’ injury crisis after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during last week’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.
Captain Cristian Romero, meanwhile, will serve the second of his four-game suspension against Arsenal following his dismissal away to Manchester United.
Ahead of his first game at the helm, Tudor will have to decide whether to deploy wing-backs or full-backs. Without Porro, the only truly comfortable wing-back options are Djed Spence and Brazilian teenager Souza.
The versatile Archie Gray, meanwhile, is more comfortable as a traditional full-back in a four-man defence.
Tottenham predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Gray, Bissouma, Sarr, Spence; Gallagher, Simons; Solanke
Injured: Odobert, Maddison, Kulusevski, Kudus, Bentancur, Davies, Bergvall, Romero, Udogie, Richarlison, Souza, Porro
Doubt: Solanke
Date and time: 4:30pm GMT on Sunday, February 22, 2026
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports