Thomas Frank was recently sacked by Tottenham.
Tottenham have had a difficult campaign as their struggles have continued to compound on the pitch. To put it into context, the Lilywhites are yet to win a league game in 2026.
And with Thomas Frank being relieved of his duties, Spurs stand only five points out of the drop zone. That five-point cushion could get easily thinner, as West Ham have found their groove under former Lilywhites head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, while Brighton continue to play for scrappy points.
This makes Tottenham be right in the middle of a relegation dogfight.
Then you take a look at the next five games that the Lilywhites are scheduled to play:
Arsenal (H)
Fulham (A)
Crystal Palace (H)
Liverpool (A)
Nottingham Forest (H)
This is a difficult run of games. You start with a North London derby at home against an Arsenal side that is on the top of the table, surging for that Premier League title. That is followed by a tricky trip to Fulham, where Marco Silva & Co. are always solid and organised along the campaign.
Then you have Palace at home, which should be a winnable game. Many would term it as an audition for Oliver Glasner, who is in the run to take charge of Tottenham. After facing the Eagles, you have a daunting trip to Anfield before a six-pointer against Nottingham Forest, which is nothing short of a must-win game for the Lilywhites as well.
Possible rivals in Tottenham relegation battle
West Ham
Next five West Ham games
Bournemouth (H)
Liverpool (A)
Fulham (A)
Man City (H)
Aston Villa (A)
The West Ham schedule looks equally (maybe more) tough on paper. The Hammers are to face Liverpool, Man City and Villa in the next five.
Before that, they start with Bournemouth at home, a game which can well become scrappy.
And then there is that visit to Craven Cottage sandwiched in the middle.
West Ham have looked structurally really tight after that January window, but if they manage to get a result in those first two games, the pressure would shift onto Tottenham in no time.
Leeds United
Leeds’ next five games
Aston Villa (A)
Man City (H)
Sunderland (H)
Crystal Palace (A)
Brentford (H)
For Leeds, they are also set to face two heavyweights from the top of the table in Man City and Aston Villa. But to balance their position off, they are also to face Sunderland and Brentford at home.
When you compare it with the Lilywhites’ fixtures, they have more swing fixtures where three points are easier to take. And their form at Elland Road is as tight as it always has been.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham’s next five games
Liverpool (H)
Brighton (A)
Man City (A)
Fulham (H)
Tottenham (A)
They are also in a managerial transition position with the sacking of Sean Dyche, who had just won the Manager of the Month award.
They do have a difficult start as well, with Liverpool and Man City in the first three. But that Brighton and Tottenham game will be nothing short of six pointers for whosoever takes over the reins at City Ground.
Brighton
Brighton’s next five games
Brentford (A)
Nottingham Forest (H)
Arsenal (H)
Sunderland (A)
Liverpool (H)
Brighton have not won in the English top tier since the first week of January. But they also have games where points are possible.
While they face Arsenal and Liverpool, overall their run of games shows a greater likelihood of points than Tottenham.
Author Opinion – Tottenham relegation battle
Tottenham are in a relegation battle, even if that prospect is difficult to accept among the supporters. And the stretch of the next five games is quite important, as it can end up deciding momentum before going into the business end of the season.
The Lilywhites can easily get points from Palace and Fulham and get themselves some breathing room from this relegation conversation. But if Tottenham fail to do that, a worry for the Lilywhites starts being more real.