Tottenham head to the City Ground on Sunday as they take on Nottingham Forest in a blockbuster Premier League clash.
Tottenham are gearing up for a challenging trip to the City Ground on Sunday as they face Nottingham Forest. The Lilywhites will need to be at their sharpest to secure a positive result, especially with both sides coming off midweek European fixtures. Sean Dyche’s men travelled to the Netherlands for a Thursday night clash against FC Utrecht, emerging victorious despite heavy rotation.
That puts the onus on Spurs to capitalise on Forest’s demanding schedule and strengthen their push for European qualification. Thomas Frank’s side will be up against a Nottingham Forest team short on preparation time and likely fatigued from their midweek efforts. Still, Tottenham cannot afford any complacency, as one lapse in concentration could see them drop vital points.
The matchup promises several standout performers. For Spurs, the spotlight will be on Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus, both of whom have been in excellent form. Meanwhile, Forest’s Elliot Anderson is expected to play a key role if selected, adding extra intrigue to the fixture.
Tottenham need to be careful of Elliot Anderson
Forest, however, have endured a tough start to the season and currently find themselves hovering just above the relegation zone. Their supporters have ridden a rollercoaster of emotions, from Nuno Espirito Santo’s dismissal to Dyche’s recent efforts to stabilise the squad. Throughout this inconsistency, one player has remained reliably influential: Elliot Anderson.
The young midfielder has consistently delivered strong performances, helping Forest secure valuable results against Liverpool and Leeds United. Anderson is one of Dyche’s most trusted players, anchoring the midfield, dictating the tempo, and offering stability in possession.
His numbers back that up. According to Squawka (via X), Anderson leads the Premier League in possessions won in the middle third (62). His command of the midfield has been crucial to Forest’s transitions and overall structure, earning him repeated call-ups to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Joao Palhinha vs Elliot Anderson… one to look out for?
On Sunday, Tottenham’s Joao Palhinha will be tasked with neutralising Anderson’s influence. The Portuguese midfielder has made an impressive start to life at N17, and Spurs fans will hope he maintains that level at the City Ground. His battle with Anderson could be decisive in determining the rhythm of the game.
For Anderson, this encounter presents an ideal opportunity to test himself against one of Europe’s best defensive midfielders. Having played only as a second-half substitute in the Europa League midweek, he may be relatively fresh, though Spurs will aim to close him down early, control possession, and force him to expend energy chasing the ball.
