Spurs looking to build momentum after reaching the Europa League semi-finals
Postecoglou will look to save face amid a difficult season
REUTERS
Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest LIVE!
Spurs are back in Premier League action tonight as they welcome former manager Nuno Espirito Santo back to north London. It has been four days since Ange Postecoglou guided his team into the Europa League semi-finals - and likely saved his job in the process - but will be all too aware of the threat of an 18th Premier League defeat of the season tonight.
High flying Forest have lost back-to-back league games but are still on course to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history as they sit sixth, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea with tonight’s game being their game in hand. A win tonight will move them into third, above Newcastle, who lost to Aston Villa at the weekend.
Spurs are expected to make changes, given their efforts in Frankfurt last week, with the likes of Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski and Kevin Danso pushing to start. Forest will assess Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi ahead of the game. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest latest news
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
Hear analysis from Dan Kilpatrick ahead of kickoff:
Look away, Spurs fans
No two teams in the Premier League have more different points tallies this season relative to last season than Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
Forest have gained 28 this year relative to last year’s tally.
Spurs have lost 23.
Ange speaks ahead of kickoff: Momentum crucial to Europa League run
Ange Postecoglou shares his views ahead of kickoff.
On tonight’s goal: “Coming off the other night we want a continuation of our performance. There is a real focus on discipline in our Europa League performance and we will need that again against a tough opponent today.”
On momentum: “I think its important, momentum, we know in the league what our position is and we have a massive opportunity in Europe. The best way to prepare for that is to keep our performances up.”
On focusing on Europe and disregarding league form: “That doesn’t mean we need to be dismissive of our league form. We have had some challenges this year, and we still have five or six games in the league. We have the squad now, so hopefully we can maintain some consistency. Europa League is a great opportunity for us, there’s no hiding from that, it is an opportunity to win a trophy for a club which hasn’t won one for quite a while.”
Hudson-Odoi dropped to the bench
The former Chelsea man has four goal involvements (3G 1A) in his last 16 appearances, and it seems Nuno has lost patience.
He does not have a fantastic record against Spurs, too, with no goals and just one assist in nine career appearances against them.
His pace could be crucial against Spurs’ high line, though, and may pose a risk as a super sub.
Nottingham Forest confirmed XI: Wood starts
Here is how Nuno’s squad will shape up.
Confirmed Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Murillo, Williams, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Toffolo, Dominguez, Elanga, Danilo, Milenkovic, Wood
Subs: Miguel, Morato, Sangare, Awoniyi, Hudson-Odoi, Moreno, Yates, Sosa, Abbott
Confirmed Tottenham team news: Maddison on the bench
Postecoglou names his starting XI.
Spurs confirmed XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Odobert, Tel; Richarlison
Subs: Kinsky, Davies, Danso, Gray, Bissouma, Bergvall, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke
Team news up next
Lienups should be with us in five minutes.
Will Richarlison feature for Spurs? Will James Maddison?
Can Chris Wood retain his starting spot after struggling against Everton?
All will be revealed...
What would a win mean for Tottenham?
This season is effectively a write-off for Spurs, at least domestically.
A win would certainly make the situation a little easier on the eye, though, sending them from 16th to 13th.
It would also help them carry some much-needed momentum from last week’s win over Frankfurt into the Europa League semi-final, where they will meet north Swedish side Bodo/Glimt.
What has become of Forest of late?
Forest have enjoyed a transformative campaign this season. After dodging relegation last year by just six points, they looked for long stretches of the new campaign to be favourites for Champions League qualification.
There have been some memorable results: last month’s win over Man City, a 7-0 thrashing of Brighton, a league double over Man United.
But as the top-five race grows increasingly competitive, a pair of losses to Everton and Aston Villa has seen Forest drop to sixth in the table.
That will be good enough only for next year’s Europa League, though a win would put the Reds back up to third, demoting Chelsea, Newcastle, and City.
This is a pivotal tie in the run-in, not just for Forest.
Can Richarlison replace Solanke in today's lineup?
Ange Postecoglou has hailed Tottenham's match-winner in Germany, Dominic Solanke, saying his selfless work rate is key to the side's chances of success.
Solanke scored the only goal from the penalty spot as Spurs beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 in the Europa League to set up a semi-final against Bodo/Glimt next month.
It was the England international's first goal in 12 games but Postecoglou says there is more to Solanke's game than finishing.
Read Dan Kilpatrick’s pre-match piece in full HERE.
Latest updatesOlder updates
MORE ABOUT