/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/19/image-7149646c-cfc8-40e4-b9e6-6ac173fc0604-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Will European 'momentum' see Forest avoid relegation at Spurs' expense? - TNT Sports")
Nottingham Forest could cap a memorable week with a victory over Tottenham Hotspur in a huge Premier League relegation clash. Vitor Pereira saw his side reach their first European quarter-final for 30 years on Thursday after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Midtjylland. TNT Sports expert Steve Sidwell thinks momentum could be key, with Spurs out of Europe and bidding to avoid the drop.
TNT Sports expert Steve Sidwell believes Nottingham Forest's European momentum could see them stay in the Premier League at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur.
The pair face off in a relegation six-pointer on Sunday, with mixed fortunes befalling the two sides in midweek.
And though this will mean extra games for Vitor Pereira's team, Sidwell believes they are better prepared for a relegation dogfight.
Asked who he thinks will be relegated, Sidwell said: "Spurs.
"I just think momentum as well. I know they've had a couple of decent performances and results in Europe. But I've been down there, and it's hard. You look at games, and you go, 'I don't know where points are going to come from'.
"You got to think that Leeds have been down there before; they know what it's like. Forest would have been in and around it; they've got players there that have experienced it.
"Spurs haven't got that, and I don't see enough in that dressing room, fight and desire, that will get them out of it."
Spurs are 16th in the Premier League table, one point above Forest and West Ham, and two behind Leeds.
Former Forest and Tottenham midfielder Andy Reid took a more diplomatic approach, opting for another club in danger of dropping down to the Championship.
"It's Leeds, for me," predicted Reid on TNT Sports. "I think they've had a really good run, and they still haven't been able to pull themselves away, and I think they'll be looking over their shoulders.
"So I think Leeds will get pulled in. But it's exciting for sure, isn't it? Not if you're one of the clubs down there, but if you're a neutral watching it, it's most certainly exciting. Nerves are definitely jangling for a lot of clubs down there."
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Penalty shoot-out victor Stefan Ortega, who saw all three of Midtjylland's penalties miss the target, said that the visiting dressing room was "buzzing".
Pereira made nine changes from his side's 0-0 draw with Fulham in the Premier League, and Ortega was impressed by the energy shown by all in front of him.
Ortega said: "Everyone is happy, buzzing. Everyone is tired as well. It was a long fight today. We played so good with energy from minute one. A lot of changes but the energy was unbelievable and from the supporters, who came a long way to see us. The situation in the league where we are too. This is such a good feeling.
"To be honest, I thought it was better to get it done before the finish, then we scored that goal, which was offside. They could break too at the end, with everyone tired. We were lucky today; a shoot-out is 50-50, but we'll take it.
"Everyone is tired, but this should give us a big boost for the coming weeks. There is a big chance to get the three points [at Tottenham on Sunday], get above them and keep going."
Pereira explained that he made changes during the match in an attempt to conserve the players' legs before their showdown in north London at the weekend, rather than as a response to how Forest were faring.
"I'm very happy," said Pereira. "We proved today that we came to compete, we have good, talented players. The first half was fantastic. On this difficult pitch, we were at a high level. We have to balance the players now for the weekend."
"I started to do subs not because we were playing badly but to balance the energy and be ready for Sunday.
"I don't have any doubt that we have the quality. We will compete for our targets. I want to thank the supporters too, because today they deserved to keep going in this competition."
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