Tottenham Hotspur vs. Hoffenheim: Friendly Double-Header

By Charlie Bradshaw — 17 August 2026 — 3 min read

Tottenham Hotspur are scheduled to play Hoffenheim in a behind-closed-doors friendly match at Hotspur Way. This fixture follows a previous encounter between the two clubs, which Tottenham won 3-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The upcoming match is set for a 12 noon kick-off and will be available for live streaming on SPURSPLAY. Reports suggest that there will be significant changes to the Tottenham lineup compared to the team that started in the earlier 3-0 victory.

Recent Performances and Team Strategy

In their previous match against Hoffenheim, Tottenham secured a 3-0 win. Goals were scored by Richarlison and Mikey Moore, who netted twice. This game was the first of a double-header friendly weekend for the clubs.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi indicated that the strategy for these friendlies was to improve the team’s physical condition. He mentioned playing players for 75 minutes in the first game and then utilising those who did not feature in the initial match for the subsequent fixture.

De Zerbi fielded a strong lineup in the first friendly, which included new signings Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Sandro Tonali. Richarlison opened the scoring in the 35th minute, converting a cross from Robertson. Moore then added two goals, with the first coming in the 59th minute and his second 11 minutes from time, both assisted by Mathys Tel.

Player Focus and Tactical Insights

The performance of Lucas Bergvall has drawn attention. Despite earlier indications that he might leave, Bergvall started twice during the pre-season tour and showed strong form against Hoffenheim. He demonstrated pressing against Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and initiated attacks from deep positions.

Richarlison’s role as a potential starting number nine is also a point of discussion. He scored in the first friendly and has been Tottenham’s top goalscorer in the previous season, despite missing time due to injury. His ability to anticipate the ball in the box was highlighted, and his combination play with Robertson was noted.

New defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who is seen as a replacement for Cristian Romero, displayed vocal leadership on the field. His passing range was also observed, with comparisons made to Romero’s abilities. Marcos Senesi, another new signing, showed composure and contributed to goal-scoring opportunities with his intricate passes.

Mikey Moore, who scored two goals in the initial friendly, is being considered for an attacking role. Despite his slight build, he demonstrated agility and skill. Moore spent the last season on loan at Rangers and has shown development in his game. He predominantly plays on the left wing but scored his goals against Hoffenheim from the right.

Looking at overall statistics from a recent match between Tottenham Hotspur and Hoffenheim, Tottenham had 61.1% possession compared to Hoffenheim’s 38.9%. Tottenham had 7 shots with 3 on target, while Hoffenheim had 11 shots with 6 on target. Tottenham committed 8 fouls, whereas Hoffenheim committed 22. In terms of passes, Tottenham completed 634 with an 87.7% accuracy, against Hoffenheim’s 391 passes at 84.1% accuracy.

The Club Friendlies fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Hoffenheim is scheduled for Sunday, 16 August.

Upcoming Fixtures and Season Preparation

Following the second friendly against Hoffenheim, Tottenham will begin their Premier League campaign with an away match against Brentford on 22 August.

Tottenham’s recent form in all competitions includes a draw against Getafe, and wins against Chelsea, Auckland, and MK Dons in Club Friendlies. They also had a draw against Sydney in the Sydney Super Cup. Hoffenheim’s recent form includes wins against Holstein Kiel and SGV Freiberg in Club Friendlies, and a win against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. They experienced a loss to Borussia M’gladbach and a draw with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

Source: bbc.com