The highly anticipated 2025/26 football season for Tottenham Hotspur officially kicks off today as they face Reading in their first pre-season friendly. This fixture marks a significant moment for Spurs, as it is the debut match for their new manager, Thomas Frank, who takes the helm following the departure of Ange Postecoglou.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2025, with a kick-off time of 3 PM UK time. The action will unfold at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in Reading, the home ground of the League One side. (Source: Yahoo Sports, Source: Football.London)
A New Chapter for Tottenham Under Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank arrives at Tottenham Hotspur after a successful tenure at Brentford, bringing a fresh tactical approach to the North London club. His appointment follows the sacking of Ange Postecoglou, and Frank is tasked with building on the club’s recent success. Notably, Spurs secured a spot in the Champions League for the upcoming season by winning the Europa League final 1-0 against Manchester United, their first major trophy since 2008. (Source: VAVEL)
The Spurs squad has had 12 days together under Frank’s guidance, and this friendly against Reading provides the first opportunity for players to impress the new manager and begin integrating his principles. Frank has emphasized the importance of applying their tactical principles in all phases of the game, from defense to attack, aiming for a strong performance that reflects the integration of his system. (Source: VAVEL)
How to Watch the Friendly
For fans eager to catch the action, the match will not be broadcast on traditional live television in the UK. Instead, supporters can watch the game live via official club streaming services. Tottenham Hotspur fans can tune into SPURSPLAY, while Reading supporters can access the match through Royals TV. Both platforms will provide live and on-demand video content for their respective club’s pre-season fixtures. (Source: Yahoo Sports, Source: Football.London)
Confirmed Line-ups and Key Players
Thomas Frank has named a strong starting XI for his first game in charge. Cristian Romero captains the team, partnering Kevin Danso at centre-half. Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie fill the full-back positions, with Antonin Kinsky in goal. In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr are joined by Alfie Devine, who spent last season on loan at Westerlo in Belgium. The attack features Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, and Mikey Moore. (Source: Tottenham Hotspur Official Site)
Summer signing Mohammed Kudus is on the bench, alongside another new face, defender Luka Vuskovic, whose transfer was agreed in 2023. Wholesale changes are expected in the second half as Frank looks to give minutes to a wider range of players. (Source: Tottenham Hotspur Official Site)
Reading’s starting XI, managed by Ruben Selles and Noel Hunt, features Pereira in goal, with a backline of Abrefa, Dorsett, O’Connor, and Burns. The midfield includes Wing (captain), Savage, O’Mahony, and Garcia, supporting forwards Ehibhatiomhan and Sackey. (Source: Tottenham Hotspur Official Site, Source: ESPN)
Tottenham’s Extensive Pre-Season Schedule
This friendly is the first of five pre-season matches for Tottenham before their Premier League opener. Following the Reading clash, Spurs will face Luton Town on July 26. Their pre-season tour then takes them to Asia, where they will play Arsenal in Hong Kong on July 31 and Newcastle in Seoul on August 3. The final friendly is against FC Bayern in the Telekom Cup on August 7. Before their Premier League season begins at home to Burnley on August 16, Tottenham will also compete in the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain on August 13. (Source: Yahoo Sports, Source: VAVEL)
Reading’s Preparations for League One
For Reading, this match is a crucial part of their preparations for another push in EFL League One. Last season, the Royals earned 75 points, just three shy of a playoff spot. They will also take on Slough Town and Portsmouth in upcoming friendlies as they build momentum for the new campaign. The last competitive meeting between Reading and Tottenham was on New Year’s Day 2013 in the Premier League, where Spurs emerged victorious with a 3-1 win. (Source: VAVEL)
Today’s friendly offers both clubs a valuable opportunity to assess their squads, integrate new tactics, and build match fitness ahead of what promises to be an exciting 2025/26 season.
