Tottenham are coming off a 3-2 win against Atletico Madrid.
Tottenham Hotspur are set to play a six-pointer of a game this weekend when Igor Tudor & Co. will host Nottingham Forest at N17.
The Lilywhites have had a better week in terms of performance, given how they started it with a surprise draw at Anfield Stadium (in a game where even most of Spurs’ fans were not expecting their side to grind out a result).
That shared point at L4 followed a fighting performance against Atletico Madrid.
This has got a sense of renewed belief at N17, and it comes at a much-needed moment as Spurs gear up to face Nottingham in what will be a possible six-pointer game, which can end up deciding relegation fates for both clubs.
Forest are expected to come to Tottenham with a clear plan, to sit deep, stay compact and frustrate Tottenham. Then punish mistakes. And that is where each of the players on the team that is expected to start for Vítor Pereira’s side will have a clear intention behind it.
TTLB’s Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Tottenham
Goalkeeper: Sels
There is no surprise in the goalkeeping department for the visitors. They will be screaming for reliability at the back, and that makes Sels an undisputed starter.
His shot-stopping will come key for Forest, especially if Tottenham are to take a volume of shots like they did against Atletico.
Backline: Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams
Then their backline will be more about balance. Both of their fullbacks, Ola Aina and Nico Williams, are known for their offensive ability, but they are not the ones that run forward recklessly. Instead (at least from what we have seen of Nottingham lately), they will try to bring a sense of mobility from the flanks (much like a modern full back).
Then you have a duo of M & M of Milenkovic and Murillo at the heart of defence, with the former bringing that ability to dominate dead ball situations and tricky crosses while the latter adds that recovery pace to the side.
So if Tottenham are to try and play in behind (especially centrally), then he is the one that will be looking to put out the fires.
Both of them have proven time and again how they are an absolute unit to face.
Pivot: Ibrahim Sangare, Elliot Anderson
Both of them are excellent midfielders and readers of the game, and this is generally where Forest generally try to overwhelm opponents off the ball.
It is again a set of skills that balance things out. While Sanagre sits and screens to get better sequences through the middle, Anderson adds that sense of mobility and energy from the middle of the park. The latter is good at pressing off the ball, and then he has that carrying ability on it.
Both of them are about disrupting opponents’ moments and then moving the ball swiftly when you get back the ball.
Midfield: Nicolas Domínguez, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi
Domínguez brings that work rate on the inside flank. And it is his tactical discipline which allows him to tuck in and help the midfield. But while doing so, he finds a way to keep Forest’s shape proper.
With Domínguez will be Gibbs-White, the one that was so close to moving to Tottenham that you could say he had a foot at Hotspur Way already. And Tottenham would know all about his creative ability. So if there is a chance that Forest are going to hurt Tottenham, then they will likely be going through him to find space between the lines.
And on the left flank will be Cobham academy graduate Hudson-Odoi, who brings that rapidness with him. But alongside his speed, he is also quite direct and has that ability to stretch the pitch on the counter.
Forward: Igor Jesus
He is someone who likes to bisect his markers and create chaos. And with Chris Wood not available for the game, his place becomes more important.
Nottingham Forest lineup vs Tottenham: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Anderson, Sangare, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus