Tottenham Hotspur plays the weekend’s last game, as Spurs travel to Nottingham Forest for the first time in over 16 years; what can we expect?
Nottingham Forest is back in the Premier League for the first time this century and has signed 19 new players for this season, making them potentially hard to predict. However, like Tottenham, Forest is showing some trends through three games and should present Spurs with a tough but overcomeable challenge. Here are five things to look for as Spurs face the Tricky Trees at City Ground.
Forest is going to play Spurs tough at home
Part of a growing trend of newly promoted Nottingham Forest is not going to park the bus and hope they can hang on against Spurs, especially at home. Only the second home top-flight contest in 34 years, anyone thinking Nottingham is coming in with a game plan for a draw has not watched Forest play.
Forest will try to play out from the back and pass their way through Tottenham. In a 3-4-1-2 formation similar to Tottenham’s, look for Forest to try and find Jesse Lingard in the middle of the park, sitting behind the two strikers.
When they are off the ball, expect tough, hard-nosed defense from a Forest side. Whether coming from Neco Williams on the edge or Lewis O’Brien in the middle, there are few free passes by the Forest midfield, as they love to put in a tackle and throw their body at the ball. Expect Nottingham to play hard for 90 minutes and try to take three points, which should make for a good game.
Can Tottenham keep converting dead ball situations?
After going most of last season without scoring from a corner, Tottenham scored twice this season. It may be the new set-piece coach Gianni Vio, or it may just be the odds coming into balance. Whichever it is, we may start to learn Sunday afternoon at City Ground.
Given their rough and tumble style of football, Nottingham Forest will commit their fair share of fouls. Fouls mean opportunities for Tottenham. Expect Tottenham to get at least one dangerous free kick, maybe even a penalty. The question is can Spurs capitalize on these opportunities?
If it is a spot kick, my money is definitely on Harry Kane to convert, but it is the other significant opportunities with dead ball situations; Spurs need to find a way to capitalize.
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Often games come down to a bound or two of the ball. This could be the case on Sunday.
Are Spurs ready to pounce on a rebound or two?
One of the 19 signings from Forest this summer was goalkeeper Dean Henderson on loan from Manchester United. It was a bright signing for the player and the team, as Henderson was looking for minutes and Forest was looking for a goalkeeper.
Forest needed a goalkeeper after the only two players to don the gloves last season left over the summer. Former club number one, Brice Samba, went to FC Lens in France, while his backup, Ethan Horvath, went to Luton Town on loan.
Besides Henderson, Forest also brought Wayne Hennessey in on a free transfer from Burnley, but Henderson is the clear starter.
Henderson is an excellent shot blocker, currently second in league with 18 saves. However, many of those saves are parries, deflections, or blocks, which leave a rebound. Additionally, Henderson is not the best at commanding his penalty area with high claims, meaning the ball will likely bounce around in the Forest box more than any Nottingham defender might like.
If Tottenham can be alert and jump on the loose balls in the box, Spurs can nab a goal or two just from being in the right place at the right time.
Tottenham will look to break past the Forest defense
Like most high-pressure defensive approaches, Forest will couple that on-the-ball pressure with a high defensive line. Whether Moussa Naikhate or Steve Cook starts as the center of the three, expect that player to push the team up the pitch whenever the ball gets out of Forest’s defensive end.
The good news for Tottenham is that Spurs’ front three are equipped to handle the high line and pressure from Nottingham Forest.
Look for Harry Kane to drop deep, seeking the space between the Forest midfield and defense. In that space, Kane should be able to turn and find Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son, with some space behind the Forest defense.
Assuming Kane can find that space and get enough time to turn and face, it could be an exciting day for Tottenham from an attacking perspective.
Forest is going to attack through the air
No one will mistake Forest for Liverpool; however, one trait Nottingham shares with the other Reds is a willingness to knock the ball into the box. New Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi is a willing and able target in the box. His size and strength make him a formidable challenge for most defenders, and Spurs will be without Cristian Romero again.
On free kicks, Forest will bring up their defenders, of which Niakhate is an especially dangerous player in the air.
If Spurs are putting all their defensive focus on Niakhate, who has won 81% of 15 aerial duels this season, then Scott McKenna can sneak in as well. McKenna has won more than 60% of his heading duels and can likewise be a handful to defend on set pieces.
Ultimately, if Tottenham executes their game plan and is attentive on the pitch, they should be able to handle Forest well. If Spurs do not take advantage of the chances that come their way, Forest can create trouble and will have a chance or two.
Tottenham will handle their chances, and Spurs will keep pace with the frontrunners in a big 1-3 road win.