The Roberto De Zerbi era at Tottenham continues to take shape on the other side of the world this weekend, with Spurs’ pre-season tour of Oceania getting underway against Auckland FC at Eden Park.
The Lilywhites made the 25-hour trip south after opening their pre-season schedule with a 1-0 win over MK Dons, Mateus Fernandes marking his Tottenham debut with the winner inside the first five minutes.
Tottenham are looking for a significantly improved campaign after back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, and De Zerbi has been able to call on a strong 35-man travelling squad, with summer arrivals Sandro Tonali, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka all included alongside established names such as James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Conor Gallagher and Richarlison.
Auckland, meanwhile, arrive full of confidence as the reigning A-League champions, having beaten Sydney FC in the Grand Final.
They are without a full-time head coach, though, with Steve Corica’s replacement – expected to be Pedro Moreira – yet to be officially announced. Luke Casserly will take charge for Spurs’ visit.
Auckland FC chief executive Nick Becker said: “Whatever happens to Tottenham this season, they remain an incredibly high-profile team with a worldwide fan base and we’re delighted to have them here in Auckland with us.”
It will be a first competitive outing of any kind for the hosts since their title triumph, while Tottenham arrive with only 90 minutes of pre-season football in their legs.
Team News for Auckland FC v Tottenham
Tottenham will be without Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, who all remain on their rehabilitation programmes back in England. Guglielmo Vicario has been left out as he seeks a move away from North London.
De Zerbi is also missing a sizeable World Cup contingent, with Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Djed Spence and Marcos Senesi all given extended breaks after their exertions in the summer’s tournament.
All Whites forward Jesse Randall, Uruguayan forward Guillermo May, Belgian midfielder Louis Verstraete and Australian centre back Dan Hall have all left Auckland since their title triumph with eight players coming in.
Expected line-ups for Auckland FC v Tottenham
Auckland FC: Woud; Sakai, Vicelich, Carey, Pijnaker, Elliot; Howieson, Bayliss, Gallegos; Brook, Cosgrove
Tottenham: Kinsky; Gray, Davies, Van de Ven, Robertson; Tonali, Fernandes; Maddison, Gallagher, Tel; Solanke
How to watch Auckland FC v Tottenham: TV and online streams
Auckland FC take on Tottenham on Sunday with kick-off at 3pm local time (4am UK time) at Eden Park, New Zealand’s largest stadium with a capacity of 50,000.
The game is not being shown on UK television. Fans in the UK can stream the match live via SPURSPLAY, Tottenham’s official streaming service, which costs £45 a year (£35 for One Hotspur members) and will also carry highlights afterwards.
Stats for Auckland FC v Tottenham
- Auckland FC won the 2025-26 A-League Grand Final, beating Sydney FC 1-0
- The Black Knights finished top of the A-League table in their debut campaign in 2024/25, winning 15 of their 26 games
- This is Tottenham’s second visit to New Zealand, having previously toured in 1976
- Tottenham have lost just once in their last five pre-season friendlies
Prediction for Auckland FC v Tottenham
Pre-season fixtures like this are always tricky to call, particularly with Auckland yet to play a competitive minute since their title win and Tottenham still finding their fitness under a new head coach.
Spurs should have enough about them, though, with a squad containing considerably more Premier League quality and De Zerbi expected to name a strong core group even amid the rotation.
Prediction: Auckland FC 0-3 Tottenham
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