Overview
Tottenham has gone through a difficult 2025-2026 season, but after helping the team successfully stay in the league, Roberto De Zerbi is aiming for a higher position in the new season.
To serve that goal, Spurs are active in the transfer market and brought in notable contracts such as Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
The signals on the field are also quite positive. Tottenham won 4 and drew 1 in the last 5 friendly matches. After a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, De Zerbi's team drew with Getafe 1-1. Conor Gallagher saved Spurs from defeat with an equalizer in the 70th minute.
Tottenham will close the preparation process with 2 matches against Hoffenheim in 2 consecutive days. The first match takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before the two teams rematch at Spurs' training ground. This dense schedule will be a significant test of fitness, especially when Tottenham is only a few days away from the Premier League opening match against Brentford.
Hoffenheim also has reason to be confident after a fairly effective summer. Christian Ilzer's team once surprised when competing in the European Cup group in the Bundesliga last season. Although they did not win a Champions League spot, they will still return to the continental arena next season.
Hoffenheim started the summer with a 5-game winning streak, including destroying SV Massenbachhausen with a score of 21-0. However, that streak of positive results was stopped when they lost to Borussia Monchengladbach 1-4.
Hoffenheim was the team to open the score thanks to Bambase Conte's goal, but they could not maintain the advantage. Gladbach rose up strongly after the 60th minute and scored 4 consecutive goals to complete the comeback.
This defeat somewhat reduced Hoffenheim's excitement, but this is only the second defeat in 7 summer friendly matches. Before that, they had won all 5 remaining matches.
Therefore, the confrontation with Tottenham will be an opportunity for Hoffenheim to regain the feeling of victory before meeting Aue at the DFB-Pokal on August 22, a match marking the time they officially start the new season.
Personnel situation
Tottenham will not have Cristian Romero after the Argentine center-back reached an agreement to join Atletico Madrid. Marcos Senesi and Kevin Danso are likely to take on positions in the center of defense, alongside Pedro Porro and Souza.
Spurs are also having a headache with the personnel situation in attack. James Maddison and Mohammed Kudus have problems with their hips and muscles, while Dejan Kulusevski is still in the process of regaining his fitness after 15 months away from the pitch.
On Hoffenheim's side, Andrej Kramaric is the most notable absence. This striker is being treated for a groin injury and is likely to be out until the end of the month.
Nathan De Cat may be pushed up to play in the number 10 position to replace Kramaric. Adam Daghim and Patrick Wimmer are expected to operate behind 20-year-old striker Max Moerstedt.
Expected lineup:
Dubravka, Porro, Danso, Senesi, Souza, Bergvall, Tonali, Gallagher, Moore, Richarlison, Tel.
Philipp, Hranac, Chaves, Spranger, Bernardo, Geiger, Avdullahu, Daghim, Cat, Wimmer, Moerstedt.
The match between Tottenham and Hoffenheim takes place at 9:00 PM on August 15 (Vietnam time).
