De Zerbi leads Spurs in to Carabao Cup clash with Charlton
By Graham Ruthven
Point to prove
The Carabao Cup was always likely to be a target for Tottenham Hotspur this season and that might be even truer now after Roberto De Zerbi’s humiliating start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
Saturday’s loss to Brentford brought back an unwelcome sense of last season as Spurs suffered many of the same issues that saw them face a relegation fight only a few months ago. Much better will be expected against Charlton Athletic.
De Zerbi could make wholesale changes to the lineup that badly flopped on opening weekend. Tottenham have spent roughly £200m in the summer transfer window and could start integrating some of their new signings in the Carabao Cup.
Charlton could be challenging opposition. Nathan Jones’ side have started their Championship campaign with back-to-back wins including an impressive away victory over West Ham. They will relish another trip to a London rival.
The onus will be on Spurs to create opportunities in possession. Jones will set up his Charlton side to sit deep and stay compact against the ball and hope that they can pick off Tottenham on the break.
Ordinarily, De Zerbi might have used Wednesday’s match to rotate his squad. After Saturday’s league opener, though, Tottenham must show they are heading in the right direction.
Key players
Summer signing Mateus Fernandes could be in line for his first competitive start as a Spurs player after the Portuguese’s ability on the ball was missed in the heavy defeat to Brentford.
Dominic Solanke came off the bench for the second half of the game at the Gtech Community Stadium and could continue his search for full fitness by starting against Charlton Athletic.
Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke could be given another chance to form some chemistry after a shaky start as Tottenham’s new centre back pairing on Saturday while Destiny Udogie could step up his return from injury.
Former Chelsea man Nathaniel Chalobah is expected to keep his place in Charlton’s central midfield while Sonny Carey will be the creative player fielded to get in between the lines when possible.
Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, on loan from Wrexham, and centre back Lloyd Jones were standout performers against the Hammers and will need to replicate that level for the Addicks to stand any realistic chance of overcoming Spurs to reach the next round.
Team news
Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odebert are all sidelined through injury for Tottenham Hotspur while injury doubts Micky van de Ven, Mohammed Kudus and Pedro Porro are unlikely to be risked.
James Maddison sustained an awkward shoulder injury towards the end of Saturday’s match against Brentford and could also miss out in the Carabao Cup.
Kayne Ramsay and Charlie Kelman will be unavailable through injury for the visitors to North London with Josh Edwards back in training ahead of a return to first team football at some point soon.
Prediction
Following Charlton’s solid start to the new campaign, we think the Championship side will make a solid fist of it but that ultimately, Spurs will pull through: Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 Charlton Athletic.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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