Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest preview, team news, tickets, and prediction

Tottenham Hotspur, despite their early season fire, now sit just outside the top four as of the time of writing. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest are firmly in the battle for survival and are in dire need of points.

Spurs' most prominent exit over the summer was prolific hitman Harry Kane who left the North London side for Bundesliga big boys Bayern München in search of a new challenge. Other notable exits include Harry Winks who left for relegated Leicester City, Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele to Turkish giants Galatasaray, Lucas Moura to Sao Paulo on a free transfer. Sergio Reguilon, Japhet Tanganga, Djed Spence, and Joe Rondon secured loan moves away to Manchester United, FC Augsburg, and Leeds United respectively.

Spurs also acquired Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest, English midfielder James Maddison from Leicester City, Dutch center-back Micky van de Ven from VfL Wolfsburg, Pedro Porro from Sporting CP, Dejan Kulusevski from Italian giants Juventus, and current starting goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli. Exciting winger Manor Solomon joined from Shakhtar Donetsk on a free transfer while Giovanni Lo Celso returned from his loan spell at Villarreal.

After a very exciting start to the 23/24 Premier League campaign which saw Tottenham Hotspur sit top of the Premier League table after going unbeaten in their first ten games, they have hit a bad patch of form picking up just one point from the last fifteen that have been up for grabs. Their winless run kick-started against fellow London rivals Chelsea in a match that saw them go two men down after Christian Romero was sent off in the 33rd minute for a reckless challenge on international teammate Enzo Fernandez inside the penalty box after which Udogie received his marching orders after committing a second bookable offense in the 55th minute.

The Blues did well to capitalize on the opportunity and hammer their local rivals courtesy of a Nicolas Jackson hat trick. Narrow 2-1 losses against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa were followed by a thrilling 3-3 draw away at The Etihad, home of defending champions and favorites Manchester City with their most recent loss coming against another West London outfit, West Ham. The game ended 2-1 in favour of the Hammers.

After that home defeat, Spurs bounced back to win three consecutive games against Newcastle, Forest, and Everton before another setback against Brighton at the Amex. They have got mixed results in 2024, they drew 2-2 with Everton before losing 2-1 to Wolves at home. As we approach the final weeks of the season, every point counts.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest started the season quite slowly as they lost two of their opening three games of the season, although they faced Arsenal and Manchester United throughout that period while beating Sheffield United at home for their first points of the season. A win at Stamford Bridge over Chelsea secured their second win before a 1-1 draw with Burnley at home then the poor form got elongated as they went five games without a win. However, a comprehensive 2-0 win raised the hopes of the fans but the barren form returned almost immediately. The Reds went seven games without a win and Steve Cooper was sacked as manager.

In came former Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo and he has been able to help the team win two of his opening three games with the wins coming against Newcastle United and Manchester United. It was a relief to end 2023 in such a good mood and with 2024 now here, the team will be focused on beating the drop and garnering necessary points to keep them in the Premier League. However, the Reds only managed a Premier League win between January and February and are in serious need of maximum points anywhere they can get them.

On the balance of things, it is expected to be an exciting match between two sides who play contrasting styles of football in the Premier League.

Match tickets

The match at Tottenham Stadium in London kicks off on Saturday 6th April 2024, at 3 PM UK time.

The magnificent 62,850-capacity stadium is the place to be for this clash between the Whites and a side trying to stay clear of the bottom zone.

Getting tickets for the Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.

Team news

Line-ups

Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur, known for their possession-heavy style of football, will be looking to control the game via the midfield with the experience and solidity of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, rejuvenated Bissouma and intelligent Lo Celso pulling the strings. Skipper Son Heung-Min as well as midfielder Pape Matar Sarr will hope to make positive impacts on the game.

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bissouma, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso, Kulusevski, Johnson, Richarlison.

Forest do not have any major injury concerns as most players currently out injured could be back in time for this game. Striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who played a huge part in his side’s survival last season, is set to affect things in attack once more. The Nigerian will be supported by Star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Dominguez.

Nottingham Forest XI: Turner; Montiel, Omobamidele, Worrall, Toffolo; Danilo, Mangala; Yates, Dominguez, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi.

Prediction

Both teams have struggled one way or the other in this Premier League campaign but Tottenham have the upper hand. Playing at home also guarantees some comfort for the whites and they might just rely on that to take all three points.

The hosts won the reverse fixture and have won four of the past five meetings between the two sides. So, this particular meeting has something to give.

Tottenham 2-1 Nottingham Forest