Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi has two immediate attacking decisions after Savio’s impressive first appearance and Omar Marmoush’s arrival made both players available for selection.
Multiple reports agree that Savio is in strong contention to start after contributing a goal and an assist in the midweek cup win over Charlton Athletic. Marmoush, meanwhile, is fit and available following his move from Manchester City, having not featured in City’s opening league match.
The greater uncertainty is whether De Zerbi will introduce both newcomers at once, and which established forwards would make way if he does.
Savio appears closest to a first start
Savio is the most consistent selection across the projected teams. His midweek contribution offered the clearest evidence of readiness, but it was his wider preparation that appears to have strengthened his case. Reports indicate that both he and Marmoush had substantial pre-season involvement at City, reducing the usual concern that a new signing needs weeks to reach match fitness.
The Brazilian’s likely role is on the right, where he would add direct running and a natural wide threat to a forward line that has lacked certainty early in the campaign. The reports broadly see Mathys Tel retaining a place on the left, although one alternative selection has Mikey Moore coming in after scoring against Charlton.
That difference matters. De Zerbi can either use Savio within a relatively familiar front three, or reshape the attack to accommodate more of the players who impressed in midweek. The former would offer continuity; the latter would place a premium on partnerships that have had little time together.
Marmoush decision centres on Solanke and Richarlison
Marmoush is available, but the reports are divided over whether that means a start. One projected side leaves him among the substitutes, while another includes him in an attacking central role behind Dominic Solanke. There is also uncertainty over whether Richarlison or Solanke is the more likely centre-forward.
Solanke strengthened his argument by scoring against Charlton. Reports also point to Richarlison having endured a difficult outing in the previous league defeat at Brentford. That leaves De Zerbi with a choice between rewarding Solanke’s response, restoring Richarlison, or using Marmoush as a more mobile second forward.
The most plausible immediate solution is to start Solanke through the middle and bring Marmoush on if the game calls for a different profile. Marmoush could be valuable between the lines or alongside a conventional striker, but a first start would require De Zerbi to alter either his balance in midfield or the positions of Tel and Savio.
The main unanswered question is how much tactical change De Zerbi believes is wise at this stage. Marmoush and Savio provide options, but availability is not necessarily the same as readiness to build an entire attacking structure around them.
Porro ready, Van de Ven more carefully managed
At the back, Pedro Porro has a convincing claim to return after his substitute appearance against Charlton. The projected teams all favour him at right-back, with Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi expected to continue centrally.
Micky van de Ven is the more complicated case. He also played in midweek and has been described as capable of starting, but reports stress that Tottenham are monitoring him carefully because of his previous muscle problems and limited minutes in pre-season. De Zerbi has indicated that his availability must be assessed in the context of the opening period of the match rather than treated as a straightforward all-or-nothing decision.
That makes a place on the bench the likelier call. It would allow Tottenham to reintroduce Van de Ven without asking him to manage a full match immediately, while preserving the centre-back pairing that has had more recent work together.
On the left, Andy Robertson is favoured in the predicted sides. Destiny Udogie is regarded as a positive fitness development after completing an hour in midweek, but that same workload could lead to a cautious approach. Robertson’s inclusion would give Tottenham experience while Udogie continues his return.
Midfield shape remains the tactical variable
The reports agree on Sandro Tonali’s importance but differ on his partners. Rodrigo Bentancur is included in one forecast, while another prefers Mateus Fernandes alongside Tonali. Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall appear to have slipped behind those options after less convincing recent displays.
Fernandes is especially significant because his role could change the whole system. If he plays as the advanced midfielder, Tottenham can retain a 4-2-3-1 with Savio, Tel and Solanke ahead of him. If De Zerbi selects a narrower midfield three, Marmoush becomes easier to accommodate closer to Solanke.
Mohammed Kudus is also reported to be back in full training and could return to the squad, though a substitute role is the expectation. James Maddison, Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons remain unavailable, limiting the more established creative alternatives.
Likely Tottenham XI
The balance of the reporting points towards: Antonin Kinsky; Pedro Porro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson; Sandro Tonali, Rodrigo Bentancur; Savio, Mateus Fernandes, Mathys Tel; Dominic Solanke.
That selection would give Savio an immediate opportunity while avoiding unnecessary risks with Van de Ven and allowing Marmoush to be introduced from the bench. It is a conservative interpretation of a squad that suddenly has more attacking choices, but one that reflects the fitness management concerns running through the team news.