Here is how Tottenham could line up against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the City Ground.
Bidding to make it three wins on the spin, Tottenham Hotspur travel to City Ground to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.
Spurs ended their five-game winless run in all competitions last weekend by beating Brentford 2-0 at home. Then they followed it up with a convincing 3-0 success over Slavia Praha in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, with the legendary Son Heung-min rocking up to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to bid a final goodbye to the fans after he left the club in the summer for MLS side Los Angeles FC.
The Lilywhites have gained some much-needed confidence and will be trying their best to beat Nottingham Forest. A win at City Ground might even take them up to sixth in the table, provided other results also go in their favour. That said, here is how Tottenham could line up against Nottingham Forest.
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
Two successive clean sheets should have boosted Guglielmo Vicario’s confidence levels after a torrid time in recent weeks. The Italian’s demeanour will now be different heading into the Forest game, as he looks to keep another clean sheet.
Defence: Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence
The back four that started in the Slavia Praha win is set to stay intact. This means we could see Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence all in action from the start again. Thomas Frank has no reason whatsoever to change the backline that has kept Brentford and Slavia Praha at bay.
Porro and Spence will try to provide as much attacking impetus as possible from the full-back positions, while providing sufficient defensive cover to the centre-backs Romero and Van de Ven. Given Forest are a threat from set-plays under Dyche, Tottenham have to be defensively on top to enjoy a third clean sheet in a row.
Midfield: Archie Gray, Rodrigo Bentancur, Xavi Simons
Archie Gray is slowly becoming a regular starter in midfield. He has repaid the gaffer’s faith with strong displays in the last two games, and the youngster’s early substitution in the second half against Slavia seemingly provided a hint of Frank trying to keep Gray fit and fresh for Sunday’s fixture.
Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to replace Joao Palhinha as the midfield anchor. Xavi Simons is in the best moment of his fledgling Tottenham career, having delivered back-to-back sensational displays. The Dutch talent will be raring to continue his recent good form and get on the scoresheet for the third game in a row.
Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Palhinha could bring energy and physicality off the bench when required.
Attack: Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Mohammed Kudus
The front three of Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani and Mohammed Kudus has been clicking in the past few games, making them an easy pick against Forest. With Richarlison leading the attack, Kudus and Kolo Muani must look to provide drive, creativity and flair from the wide positions.
Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel will be hoping to make an impact off the bench if called upon. Brennan Johnson missed the Slavia game with a knock, so he remains 50-50 for this fixture.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup vs. Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence; Xavi Simons, Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray; Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani.
