Tottenham XI vs Brentford: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today | OneFootball

Spurs get double boost as Thomas Frank returns to former club

Bergvall came off just past the hour mark during Spurs’ 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend with a muscular injury, but head coach Thomas Frank is confident he will be ready for their trip to the Gtech Community Stadium.

“Of course, there's a small doubt, but it's quite possible that he will be available.”

With Bergvall to be assessed in the lead-up to the game, Joao Palhinha could come back into the Tottenham team against Brentford.

The Portuguese midfielder impressed off the bench as the north Londoners held on for a precious victory away at Palace.

Brennan Johnson is expected to leave Spurs after the club agreed a £35million deal with Palace on Tuesday.

However, despite the 24-year-old’s Tottenham future being cast into doubt, Frank remained adamant that he would be available for selection against Brentford.

“He contributed to a very good and important win against Crystal Palace. He trained very well today. I expect him fully to be available and able to play against Brentford.”

Frank also confirmed that Spurs captain Cristian Romero, who missed the win over Palace, would be available again after his dismissal against Liverpool.

Romero, who will likely take the place of Kevin Danso, is the subject of an FA charge and could potentially face a further suspension after allegedly “failing to promptly leave the field of play and/or behaving in a confrontational and/or aggressive manner towards the match referee after being sent off”.

Frank, though, said he believed a decision on Romero’s charge would not be taken until early January.

"He's ready for the game (against Brentford),” said Frank on Tuesday. “As far as I know, it's something that will be decided in early January.”

Xavi Simons was also sent off against Liverpool and will serve the second match of his three-game suspension as Frank travels to take on his former club.

Long-term absentees James Maddison, Dominic Solanke - who was back in team training this week - and Dejan Kulusevski remain out, but Frank was able to offer a positive update on Destiny Udogie, who has been sidelined since early December with a hamstring injury.

"He is running out there on the pitch, doing individual sessions on the pitch, so progressing going forward, that's good," Frank said of the left-back.

Kota Takai and Radu Dragusin were both named in a matchday squad for the first time this season at Selhurst Park last weekend.

The pair provide a welcome boost for Frank as Spurs prepare to play four times in the next nine days. Midfielders Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are both away at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Predicted Tottenham XI (4-3-3): Vicario; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Porro; Bentancur, Gray, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Kudus

Injured: Solanke, Maddison, Udogie, Kulusevski

Doubt: Bergvall

Unavailable: Bissouma, Sarr (AFCON)

Suspended: Simons

Time and date: 8pm GMT on Thursday January 1, 2026

Venue: Gtech Community Stadium, London

How to watch: Sky Sports