Spurs vs Nottingham Forest: Premier League Preview

After sealing a gritty 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt to reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou insisted his time at the club is far from over, joking with the press about hanging around "a little while longer." While continental progress offers a silver lining, Tottenham’s domestic struggles paint a different picture.

The North London outfit have endured a torrid Premier League season, losing 17 of their 32 matches — their worst tally since the 2003-04 campaign. Four defeats from their last six league fixtures, including a 4-2 reverse against Wolves, have left Spurs languishing in the bottom half and with little margin for error if they are to secure a top-seven finish. However, they do hold a four-match unbeaten home run in all competitions, which provides a glimmer of optimism ahead of Forest’s visit.

In stark contrast, former Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo returns to familiar territory with a Forest side still in the mix for a Champions League berth. Having beaten Spurs 1-0 on Boxing Day, Forest are aiming to complete a league double over the Lilywhites for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

Recent Form & Head-to-Head

Forest’s momentum has stalled after back-to-back league defeats to Aston Villa and Everton, with the latter loss coming courtesy of a stoppage-time strike at the City Ground. A third consecutive defeat would match their worst run under Nuno, who will be keen to reverse that trend.

Despite recent setbacks, Forest have found joy on the road against bottom-half opposition this season — winning all seven such matches, five of them by at least a two-goal margin. Spurs, meanwhile, have lost 16 of their last 20 Premier League games against sides starting the day in the top half (W3, D1).

Historically, Tottenham have dominated this fixture, but the tide has begun to turn. Forest’s Boxing Day win was their first over Spurs in the league since 1997, and Nuno’s men will be hoping to replicate that success on Monday night.

Key Stats

• Spurs have lost 17 Premier League games this season — more than all but three teams.
• Forest have conceded two or more goals in each of their last five away league games.
• Tottenham have scored at least twice in each of their last four home matches in all competitions.
• Forest are unbeaten in their last 16 top-flight matches played on Easter Monday (W13, D3).

Team News

Tottenham Hotspur:

• Injured: Radu Dragusin (ACL, long-term), Son Heung-min (foot) remains sidelined.
• Doubtful: James Maddison (hip) — taken off in Frankfurt but expected to be fit.
• Form player: Mathys Tel — the teenager has scored in two consecutive league games and could become the first Spurs teenager to net in three straight Premier League matches.

Nottingham Forest:

• Injured: None confirmed, but Ola Aina (calf) and Taiwo Awoniyi (thigh) remain day-to-day.
• Changes: Anthony Elanga is expected to return to the starting XI after being rested against Everton.
• Form player: Jota Silva has scored in each of Forest’s last two away league games, both coming after the break.