Verdict: Pedro Porro over 0.5 fouls
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two camps who will turn their attention back to Premier League duties this weekend, Nottingham Forest will welcome Tottenham to the City Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Nottingham Forest
Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week as they clinched a 2-1 Europa League victory away at Dutch outfit Utrecht, Nottingham Forest have largely impressed since Sean Dyche’s arrival at the City Ground. Although the Reds might have put in a nightmare performance away at Everton last weekend as they fell to a 3-0 drumming, the former Burnley boss has seen his squad skyrocket their way out of the drop zone. Springing an almighty upset away at reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on November 22nd as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp at Anfield, Nottingham Forest have suffered just a pair of defeats from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Hoping to make up ground in the top-half chase, Dyche’s side will be confident of collecting another heavyweight Premier League scalp.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Suffering a major injury setback and reportedly facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines, Nottingham Forest will be without New Zealand international Chris Wood. Likewise, not featuring since the start of September, one-time Chelsea youngster Ola Aina is still dealing with a long-term hamstring injury.
Coming off the bench and notching a fourth Europa League strike away at Utrecht earlier in the week, Brazilian marksman Igor Jesus should be handed a full recall. Likewise, only making a second-half cameo appearance on Thursday, skipper Morgan Gibbs-White will lead out Dyche’s side.
Tottenham
As for the visitors, while Tottenham might have secured consecutive victories in north London over the past week, it has been suggested that Thomas Frank finds some real pressure on his shoulders. Marking their return from November’s international break with an infamous 4-1 drumming away at arch-rivals Arsenal, Spurs have drastically failed to find any kind of fluidity over the past couple of months. Remarkably dropping out the top-half of the Premier League standings, Tottenham travel to Nottingham this weekend firmly under the microscope. Signing off November with a shock 2-1 defeat at home against Fulham, the former Brentford boss has seen his squad muster just three wins from any of their previous 10 showdowns across all competitions. It should also be noted, Spurs slumped to a 1-0 loss when they travelled to the City Ground last season.
Tottenham Team News
All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Tottenham will once again be without the likes of Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski and England international James Maddison. However, making a cameo appearance off the bench against Slavia Prague in midweek, Ben Davies could make a first Premier League outing of the season in Nottingham.
Now recording back-to-back strikes over the past week, big-money summer recruit Xavi Simons will keep his spot from the start. Putting in an impressive performance on Tuesday night, former Leeds youngster Archie Gray could once again be deployed in the middle of the park.
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Key Factors to Consider
When Nottingham Forest last welcomed Tottenham to the City Ground 12 months ago, Sunday’s hosts claimed a 1-0 victory.
In fact, Forest won each of their two Premier League showdowns against Tottenham last season.
Tottenham have registered just a trio of wins from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
The Lilywhites have also recorded just a sole win from any of their last six showdowns on the road.
Along with winning five of their last seven outings, Nottingham Forest have suffered just two defeats from their last nine appearances across all competitions.
Conclusion
While Tottenham might have clinched back-to-back victories in north London over the past week, Spurs have continued to show some glaring inconstancies. Mustering just a trio of wins from any of their last 10 appearances across all competitions, Frank’s side should be concerned by a downbeat recent record against Nottingham Forest. Suffering back-to-back Premier League defeats against Sunday’s hosts last season, Spurs have gained an unwanted reputation for their issues on the road.
Verdict: Pedro Porro over 0.5 fouls
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Dachbet
