Tottenham Hotspur conclude their pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand with a highly anticipated match against Chelsea in Sydney. This Sydney Super Cup clash serves as the first time these two London rivals play each other outside of the UK, marking a significant end to their summer preparations.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi remains undefeated throughout the pre-season, following a win against Auckland FC and a penalty shootout result against Sydney FC. Despite the positive momentum, De Zerbi continues to manage his squad with caution. Several first-team players are working back to full fitness after their commitments at the World Cup, while others have been carefully eased into the rotation to prevent further injury issues.
Fans looking for a look at the full-strength squad might get their wish during this match. Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie, and recent signing Jan Paul van Hecke are likely to feature after appearing at an open training session at Accor Stadium on Friday. Their return is a welcome development for a squad aiming to build match sharpness before the new domestic season begins.
However, Tottenham will be without two key figures for this encounter. James Maddison is still recovering from an unspecified knock and is being managed carefully given his history with injury. Mateus Fernandes is also sidelined with calf fatigue and will remain in recovery until the team returns to London. De Zerbi stated that he will not take risks with either player, prioritizing their long-term health over immediate game time.
Following this London derby in Sydney, Tottenham will travel back to England. Their final preparation steps involve matches against Getafe and Hoffenheim. Supporters can catch the game against Chelsea on Saturday at 10.45am BST, with broadcast coverage provided through club channels.