Nottingham Forest welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the City Ground this weekend with both clubs chasing traction for different reasons. Forest sit one point above the relegation places, while Spurs’ weekend win lifted them to eighth, keeping them in touch with the European chase after an uneven spell.
Forest’s last match in any competition came on Thursday night, when they recorded a 2–1 Europa League win away at FC Utrecht. That result offered a timely lift after last weekend’s 3–0 defeat at Everton, and Sean Dyche will hope it sharpens both confidence and intensity back on domestic duty. Spurs, meanwhile, last played in the league on Saturday, beating Brentford 2–0 at home — their second home league win of the season — with Xavi Simons providing a goal and an assist as Thomas Frank finally got a win over his former club.
League form explains why this feels significant. Forest’s position near the bottom means home fixtures carry extra weight, even at this stage of the campaign. Spurs’ form has been streaky, but the Brentford result ended a long wait for a home league win and gave Frank a platform to push for more consistency.
Team news could play a part. Forest head into the game with goalkeeper Matz Sels a doubt after missing the Utrecht trip with a groin issue, while captain Ryan Yates is ruled out with a hamstring injury. There were also encouraging signs in Europe, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Douglas Luiz returning to the starting XI after spells out, and defender Murilloback involved after recent issues.
Spurs have not confirmed a full injury list in the same level of detail in the match build-up, but Frank indicated after recent games that he expects continuity from the group that has started to show improvement.
Tactically, Forest under Dyche have looked more structured and direct, prioritising shape, duels and quick forward play. At home, they will want to turn the City Ground into a tense environment for Spurs, and they will likely lean on set pieces and transition moments to test Tottenham’s defensive concentration. Spurs, for their part, will look to build on what worked against Brentford: controlled aggression, quicker penetration in wide areas, and enough defensive discipline to avoid late-game chaos.
The midfield battle may decide the feel of the contest. If Spurs can dictate tempo and keep Forest penned in, their quality in the final third should create chances. But if Forest can disrupt rhythm, win second balls and turn the game into a physical, stop-start contest, it becomes the kind of afternoon where small details — a set piece, a mistake, a moment of composure — can swing everything.
For Forest, the aim is clear: protect their slim cushion above the bottom three and turn European uplift into league points. For Spurs, it’s about backing up the Brentford win and proving that a rare home success can be the start of a steadier run rather than an isolated high.
