Merson and Sutton make Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest predictions

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A look at the pundit predictions for Tottenham’s relegation six-pointer with Nottingham Forest.

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Tottenham have the biggest game of their season this weekend, welcoming relegation rivals Nottingham Forest to North London. Just one point separates the two sides, and while they are both currently above the relegation zone, they are both too close for comfort.

Spurs are one point above the drop, while Forest are only four goals above West Ham in the final drop spot. Both sides won in Europe during the week, though Forest needed a penalty shootout to win the overall tie.

Ahead of the relegation six-pointer, we have rounded up the predictions from BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton and SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson,

Chris Sutton

“People have been panning Tottenham boss Igor Tudor but they will look upon him in a different light if his side win this game. Maybe he just needs to identify the opposition's threat a little bit better than he does opposing managers - that clip of him mistaking someone else for Arne Slot at Anfield last week did make me chuckle.

“Nottingham Forest's issue is that they don't score enough goals, and that lack of attacking threat might just cost them here. I know I keep mentioning it, but Forest manager Vitor Pereira has still not won a Premier League game all season, after 12 attempts with Wolves and Forest.

“I don't think he will win this week, either, although this is going to be an extremely tight game. Spurs' first aim will be to avoid any calamities like their red card against Crystal Palace in their previous home league game.

“They have a few injuries, but they still have a fair bit of quality in their team. Tottenham also have a bit of positivity and momentum after Wednesday's home win over Atletico Madrid, even though it wasn't enough to turn around their Champions League tie. Now they need to build on that. Prediction: 1-0.”

Paul Merson

“Tottenham were decent against Liverpool and played well in the second leg at home to Atletico. Spurs controlled that game well and were not cut open at the back like in the past.

“Xavi Simons worked hard and did well in the last game. Archie Gray was excellent too. Tottenham need these players to carry that form into this weekend because this is such a huge game coming up.

“Nottingham Forest are playing in the Europa League tonight. That tie against Midtjylland is at 0-0. I expect Forest to play their best team in that game and it's also away from home.

“Tottenham fans will want to see fight from their team in this game. The fans will stick with the team, if they can give 100 per cent on the pitch. I remember it happened with Everton last season. The fans supported them and helped massively in the relegation battle.

“If this game was two or three games ago, I would have fancied Forest to win. But having witnessed Spurs turn it around in the last couple of games, I have to back them. If Forest score first, it's a different game. But I don't think that will happen. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Nottingham Forest.”

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