Thomas Frank is preparing for an emotional reunion as Tottenham Hotspur hosts Brentford this Saturday, but the Spurs manager admits he is still unsure of his best starting eleven. Frank, who spent nine years with Brentford, faces his former club for the first time since taking over at Tottenham in June.
Spurs' recent form has been inconsistent, marked by a record-equalling 10th home defeat of 2025 against Fulham. A spirited 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in midweek, where Cristian Romero scored a late equalizer, lifted spirits after three successive losses. Despite the draw, Spurs are winless in their last five matches in all competitions and have only won one top-flight match at home all season. This underwhelming home form adds pressure on Frank to deliver a victory against his old side.
Frank acknowledged the difficulty in settling on a preferred lineup, citing the demands of multiple matches per week and competition within the squad. He has increasingly tinkered with his lineup, making numerous changes this season as he juggles Premier League and Champions League commitments. The left side of Tottenham's attack seems particularly unsettled, with Frank rotating between Brennan Johnson, Mathys Tel, and Wilson Odobert. Even the £51 million signing, Xavi Simons, has not started in the past four matches. When asked if he was still searching for his best team, Frank responded, "Yes, I think it's fair. I've got an idea of quite a few positions".
Despite the uncertainty, Frank has expressed confidence in Xavi Simons' potential to become a key playmaker for Tottenham, comparing him to Mikkel Damsgaard, who was crucial for Frank's Brentford side. Frank stated, "I think he's got a very big potential to be that playmaker. I have a big belief that he'll be very good for us".
Looking ahead to the Brentford game, Frank emphasized that old friendships would be put aside. He also stated that he would celebrate if Tottenham scores against Brentford, affirming his commitment to his current team. "During the game, it's just about competing and winning a match. After that, we can be happy again," Frank said.
Brentford, managed by Keith Andrews, Frank's successor, are level on points with Tottenham. Andrews has maintained Brentford's identity and style of play, earning praise from Frank. Brentford striker Igor Thiago is the second top scorer in the Premier League with 11 goals, a significant threat to Tottenham's defense.
Predicted lineups suggest Tottenham might field a 4-2-3-1 formation with Guglielmo Vicario in goal; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Djed Spence in defense; Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha in midfield; and Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, and Wilson Odobert supporting Richarlison in attack. However, with Frank's penchant for rotation, the actual lineup remains to be seen.
Tottenham faces a challenging task against a well-organized Brentford side. To secure a positive result, Spurs must improve their home form and demonstrate the ability to dominate the match, create chances, and score goals.
