Tottenham sink into relegation zone as winless run deepens alarm

Tottenham sink into relegation zone as winless run deepens alarm

The worst-case scenario became reality for Tottenham last weekend as defeat to Sunderland dropped the north London side into the relegation zone with just six Premier League matches remaining.

Spurs are now facing the very real prospect of their first relegation from the top flight since 1977, with a damaging sequence of results continuing to pile pressure on the club during the closing weeks of the campaign.

Sunday’s loss extended Tottenham’s winless league run to 14 matches - the fourth-longest such streak in Premier League history. Only Derby County in 2007/08, Sunderland in 2002/03 and Swindon Town in 1992/93 endured longer droughts, and all three were relegated in those seasons.

Tottenham’s last league victory came against Crystal Palace 28 December, meaning they are still without a Premier League win in 2026. That barren spell will reach 111 days when they face Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend in what is shaping up to be a decisive fixture in their survival bid.

Home advantage has offered little comfort either. Remarkably, Spurs have had more managers than home league wins this season, with just two victories at their own ground - against Burnley and Brentford.

If Roberto De Zerbi takes charge in front of supporters this weekend, he will become the third different manager to oversee a home Premier League fixture during a campaign in which wins on home soil have been extremely rare. Stretch the timeframe further back, and the picture becomes even more concerning - Tottenham’s last home league victory prior to those two came under Ange Postecoglou in early April 2025.

Following the visit of Brighton - De Zerbi’s former club - Spurs still have home fixtures against Leeds United FC and Everton FC, alongside difficult away trips to Wolves, Aston Villa and Chelsea as they attempt to avoid a dramatic drop out of the top flight.