Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham: Preview, Predictions, and Lineups

Nottingham Forest host Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground on Boxing Day, with both sides entering the game under contrasting fortunes. Forest, under Nuno Espirito Santo, are flying high in fourth place, while Spurs are languishing in 11th after a string of inconsistent performances.

Here’s everything you need to know about this intriguing Premier League clash.

Match Details

• Location: City Ground, Nottingham, England
• Date: Thursday, December 26, 2024
• Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
• Referee: Craig Pawson
• VAR: Michael Salisbury

Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

• Nottingham Forest Wins: 1
• Tottenham Wins: 4
• Draws: 0
• Last Meeting: Tottenham 3-1 Nottingham Forest (April 7, 2024 – Premier League)

Current Form

Nottingham Forest (Last 5 Matches)

• Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest (December 21) – Premier League
• Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa (December 14) – Premier League
• Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest (December 7) – Premier League
• Man City 3-0 Nottingham Forest (December 4) – Premier League
• Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich (November 30) – Premier League

Key Stat: Forest have won four of their last five matches and sit fourth in the Premier League table.

Tottenham (Last 5 Matches)

• Liverpool 3-6 Tottenham (December 22) – Premier League
• Tottenham 4-3 Man Utd (December 19) – Premier League
• Southampton 0-5 Tottenham (December 15) – Premier League
• Rangers 1-1 Tottenham (December 12) – Europa League
• Tottenham 3-4 Chelsea (December 8) – Premier League

Key Stat: Tottenham have been inconsistent, with defensive frailties costing them dearly in recent matches.

Team News

Nottingham Forest

Forest have managed to maintain their form despite injuries to key midfielders.

• Out: Danilo (broken ankle), Ibrahim Sangare (hamstring).
• Suspended: Nicolas Dominguez.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
GK: Sels
DEF: Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno
MID: Yates, Anderson
ATT: Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi
ST: Wood

Tottenham

Spurs are dealing with a depleted squad, particularly in defense.

• Out: Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven (both out until 2025), Richarlison (returning early January), Guglielmo Vicario, Wilson Odobert (both February returns).
• Doubtful: Destiny Udogie (minor injury, could feature).
• Return: Rodrigo Bentancur (back from suspension).

Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
GK: Forster
DEF: Spence, Gray, Dragsusin, Udogie
MID: Bentancur, Sarr, Kulusevski
ATT: Johnson, Solanke, Son

Match Analysis

Nottingham Forest’s Approach

Forest have thrived under Nuno Espirito Santo’s pragmatic style, using their solid defensive structure and quick transitions to punish opponents. Morgan Gibbs-White’s creativity and Callum Hudson-Odoi’s pace on the flank are key to their attacking setup.

Tottenham’s Approach

Spurs have shown glimpses of their attacking prowess, notably in their 6-3 defeat to Liverpool, but their defensive frailties have been glaring. Ange Postecoglou’s side must tighten up at the back and rely on Son Heung-min’s leadership in attack to stand a chance against Forest’s organized setup.

Prediction

Tottenham’s struggles, particularly away from home, and their injury woes could make this a tough outing against a buoyant Forest side. Nuno’s team is well-drilled and thrives on exploiting spaces in transition, a weakness Spurs have shown repeatedly this season.

Predicted Score: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Tottenham

Key Players to Watch

• Nottingham Forest: Morgan Gibbs-White – The creative midfielder will be central to Forest’s attacking play.
• Tottenham: Son Heung-min – The Spurs captain needs to inspire his side with a standout performance.

FAQs

1. Why are Nottingham Forest performing so well this season?
   Nuno Espirito Santo has implemented a disciplined system that emphasizes defensive solidity and quick counterattacks, suiting the players at his disposal.
2. What’s gone wrong for Tottenham this season?
   Spurs have struggled with defensive injuries and inconsistency, leading to a string of poor results despite some attacking highlights.
3. Who is the referee for this match?
   Craig Pawson will officiate the game, with Michael Salisbury as VAR.
4. What is Nottingham Forest’s league position?
   Forest are currently fourth in the Premier League table, enjoying a stellar season.
5. Can Tottenham turn their season around?
   Spurs have the talent to improve, but they may need to wait for injured players to return and the January transfer window to bolster their squad.