Tottenham Hotspur will hope to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League on Boxing Day when they travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest.
Spurs were at the end of another humbling loss—a 6-3 smashing at the hands of league leaders Liverpool at home on Sunday. It looked as though the wins over Southampton and Manchester United had released some pressure off Ange Postecoglou’s shoulders, but the trouncing to Liverpool has again put him in the spotlight.
With three defeats in the last four league games, the North Londoners are low in confidence and come up against Nottingham Forest, who are flying high this season and presently lie fourth in the table.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News
Tottenham remain without seven other first-team players including Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Ben Davies, and Cristian Romero who are all sidelined. Mikey Moore is still unavailable due to a virus.
On a positive update, Rodrigo Bentancur is available again for selection after serving a seven-game domestic ban. Destiny Udogie (fatigue) could also come into the lineup after being an unused substitute on the bench.
Predicted Tottenham lineup vs Nottingham Forest (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Fraser Forster is expected to continue in goal for the injured Guglielmo Vicario. Postecoglou will expect an assured, error-free display from his veteran custodian in midweek.
Defence
We expect one change at the back. Djed Spence, despite being the rare bright spot in an otherwise horror show against Liverpool, could make way for Destiny Udogie at left-back. Pedro Porro, meanwhile, should retain his spot at right-back in the Tottenham lineup.
As the likes of Van de Ven, Romero, and Davies are still out, young Archie Gray should line up alongside Radu Dragusin in central defence once again. After Spurs conceded six goals to Liverpool, Gray and Dragusin have to show more resilience to stop an in-form Nottingham Forest attack.
Midfield
Rodrigo Bentancur is poised to walk straight into Postecoglou’s starting XI, replacing Yves Bissouma in the deeper midfield role. The Uruguayan will be tasked with controlling the play and initiating attacks. He will be joined by the likes of Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison, who scored a wonderful goal in Spurs’ 6-3 defeat to Liverpool.
The trio must try to dictate the pace of the game with their passing ability, reading of the game, and experience.
Attack
Dominic Solanke, who scored against his former employers on Sunday, should lead the Tottenham attack as usual. He will be trying to add to his tally at the City Ground, and for that to happen, the Englishman should expect service from wide forwards Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski in the box.
Kulusevski, undoubtedly Tottenham’s best player this season, will be the visitors’ main outlet for imagination and flair. Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner will be good options to bring off the bench against a tiring Forest backline. The duo are quick and can stretch the Forest backline.
