Spurs sit 14th in the league table with 17 losses this season and supporters have transformed their angst into a viral phenomenon, crafting predicted starting XI lineups in the most bizarre and imaginative formats imaginable.
The origins of the viral starting XI meme trend can be traced back to January 30, 2025, when a Spurs fan posted a handwritten predicted lineup on X comprising a lineup of #LevyOut in every position with #EnicOut as the striker.
The meme trend reached its peak in the days leading up to Tottenham’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on April 21, 2025.
Safe to say what started as a quirky one-off has now evolved into a full-blown phenomenon. Fans began experimenting with niche formats, each more absurd and inventive than the last.
One fan reimagined the starting XI inspired by the famous life simulator game BitLife.
The lineup tried to capture the game’s Lives in Progress format –
Another created an Among Us-themed lineup, with players as colorful crewmates.
One user decided to make a lineup with popular snooker game 8 Ball Pool.
Spotify playlist lineups paired players with songs –
Perhaps the most endearing were the Tomodachi Life Miis, with cartoonish avatars of players living out bizarre virtual lives on a digital island –
Even fans of rival clubs, typically quick to mock Tottenham’s misfortunes, have joined in. Arsenal supporter James admitted, “Despite all the chaos that’s going on at Spurs right now they’ve somehow stumbled across an incredible meme format”.
Another X user Jacob, chimed in, “Idk what’s going on at Tottenham but I love it”.
A Burnley fan added, “My favourite past time is seeing the new way spurs fans have built their predicted lineups”.
With the Europa League semi final against Bodo/Glimt coming up and tough fixtures like Liverpool and Aston Villa looming, Spurs fans are bound to get more creative.
We are expecting lineups in new formats like Animal Crossing icons, Sims character profiles, and maybe even Grand Theft Auto-themed XIs for the upcoming games.
