Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham: Can Spurs come out of the woods unharmed?

A challenging trip to Nottingham awaits a Spurs team that currently sits bottom of the league with zero goals scored and two losses after a disappointing start. 

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest, also winless, will be cautiously optimistic after a positive result and performance away at Anfield. 

Forest have won their last four Premier League games against Spurs – but they have never won five league games in a row against them. 

Can Spurs leave the woods unharmed?

Tottenham have undoubtedly had a busy transfer window, bringing in 10 new players and with significant outgoings as well. 

De Zerbi must integrate multiple first-team players who possess undeniable quality but simply need time to gel and settle into life in North London. 

The Italian does not know his strongest XI and his side seemingly lacks full match fitness, which makes it a great chance for Oliver Glasner to rectify their uninspired opening day loss at home to Leeds United. 

Glasner will welcome the tactical battle, commenting that De Zerbi’s patterns of play are “very obvious” as Spurs have a “certain way of playing”. 

Of course, it is no secret that De Zerbi’s preferred style is free-flowing and possession-heavy football; against Newcastle, particularly in the first half, his team showed glimpses of what their manager demands. 

However, once Tottenham trailed, there was no way back in the game and De Zerbi even questioned the team's mentality. 

If Spurs go one behind again, they can forget about it!

Glasner’s own distinct back-three system (3-4-2-1) will try to limit Spurs’ space in open play and will be happy to sacrifice possession for large spells. 

Given Tottenham’s well-documented defensive frailties and concerning lack of height and physicality, Forest will need to capitalise on set-pieces and direct attacking transitions, especially from their marauding wingbacks. 

In fact, Forest have not exactly set the world alight at the City Ground recently, having only won one of their last 12 Premier League home fixtures. 

Whilst seemingly encouraging for Tottenham, Forest will be a tough, stubborn team (or tree), and the onus is on the away side to prove they are not just the same old Spurs. 

In this instance, I would say a draw is the most likely outcome, with both teams still finding their feet. 

Team News

New £50 million signing, Liam Delap, will hope to make his debut for Forest. 

Glasner brought in ex-Crystal Palace player Daniel Muñoz on deadline day, and he could start even though he recently underwent surgery for a facial injury. 

Another new signing, highly-rated centre-back Ousmane Diomande, has not made a Premier League appearance yet. 

Whether any of their signings will start on Saturday remains to be seen, but all three of them will likely become important players for Forest over the course of the season. 

Star player Gibbs-White, one of the most in-form players in the Premier League in 2026 with 17 goal contributions, will be the main attacking threat and will look to hurt Spurs. 

Two late arrivals from Chelsea, Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo, could potentially feature for Tottenham on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, Savio and Maddison may also be fit to return, and Spurs could surely use some creative flair on the pitch. 

Mohammed Kudus came off the bench against Newcastle, although he may not be fit enough to start. 

Dominic Solanke is now Tottenham’s only recognised out-and-out striker after Richarlison was left out of the squad, following failed attempts to leave the club during the summer and a public spat with De Zerbi. 

There are no new injury concerns for the away side, as Odobert and Xavi Simons remain long-term absentees, but on a positive note, Dejan Kulusevski has now returned to first-team training. 

Predicted Lineups:

Nottingham Forest (3-4-2-1): Sels, Murillo, Milenkovic, Diomande, Aina, McAtee, Sangaré, N. Williams, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Delap.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3): Kinsky, Porro, Van Hecke, Van der Ven, Udogie, Tonali, Fernandes, Savio, Marmoush, Kudus, Solanke.