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Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Prediction, Predicted Lineups & Team News

Nottingham Forest host Tottenham at the City Ground on Saturday with the visitors bottom of the Premier League on zero points and zero goals. Forest have beaten Spurs four times in a row, but with only one point themselves through two matches, our Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham prediction is a draw.

The awkward detail for Tottenham is who put them there. Anthony Elanga, sold by Forest to Newcastle for £55 million last summer, scored the opening goal in the 2-0 defeat that left Spurs last. Forest, meanwhile, drew 2-2 at Anfield despite leading twice.

This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, the tactical matchup and a score prediction for Saturday's Premier League game in Nottingham.

When & Where to Watch (USA)

Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3:00 PM BST / 10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT

Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham

Streaming: Peacock, Fubo

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Lineups & Injury News

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Predicted Lineups

Predicted lineups: Forest are projected in a 3-4-2-1 with Igor Jesus leading the line rather than club-record signing Liam Delap, and Ola Aina at right wing back ahead of deadline-day arrival Daniel Munoz. Tottenham are projected in a 4-3-3 with Mohammed Kudus starting for the first time since January and Omar Marmoush on the left, though Destiny Udogie in for Andrew Robertson at left back is the less certain call.

Nottingham Forest predicted starting XI (3-4-2-1):Matz Sels; Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Jair Cunha; Ola Aina, James McAtee, Xaver Schlager, Neco Williams; Morgan Gibbs-White, Dan Ndoye; Igor Jesus

Tottenham predicted starting XI (4-3-3):Antonin Kinsky; Pedro Porro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Sandro Tonali, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mateus Fernandes; Mohammed Kudus, Dominic Solanke, Omar Marmoush

Check the Premier League injury table and the player news feed before kickoff because there are still some questions.

Nottingham Forest Team News & Injuries

Nicolo Savona remains the long-term absence, while Ibrahim Sangare is a doubt after picking up a calf problem in training before the Liverpool game. Morgan Gibbs-White and Ryan Yates are available, while Chris Wood is fit again after preseason thigh tightness and came off the bench at Anfield.

The bigger selection questions come from Forest's new arrivals. Liam Delap, Ousmane Diomande and Daniel Munoz are all registered and available, but the current projection keeps Igor Jesus ahead of Delap and Ola Aina ahead of Munoz. Glasner previously coached Munoz at Crystal Palace, making right wing-back one of the more interesting calls before kickoff.

Tottenham Team News & Injuries

Mohammed Kudus is the biggest selection question. He played off the bench in Gameweek 2, the first minutes since undergoing surgery on a quadriceps injury in January. Roberto De Zerbi has described his return as "like a new signing" while also stressing that Tottenham will not take risks, so projecting his first start in eight months is aggressive.

James Maddison remains a doubt with the shoulder fracture he suffered against Brentford, while Dejan Kulusevski is still training away from the group because of a knee problem. Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are longer-term absences.

Deadline-day arrival Mykhailo Mudryk is available but has not played competitively since November 2024, while Tosin Adarabioyo adds another defensive option. Andrew Robertson started at left-back against Newcastle, and Savinho and Mathys Tel are both fit, so the front three and left side remain the areas where the projected XI could change most before kickoff.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Head-to-Head Record

These clubs have met 129 times, with Tottenham winning 59 to Forest's 41 and 29 drawn. The recent record belongs entirely to Forest, who have won the last four meetings, including a 3-0 double last season at both grounds.

The March 2026 leg of that double came at Tottenham three weeks into De Zerbi's tenure, so he has already lost 3-0 at home to this opponent. Forest have also won their last two home league meetings with Spurs, 1-0 in December 2024 and 3-0 in December 2025.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Tactical Analysis

Forest's single point does not describe their football. They out-created Liverpool at Anfield, finishing with 2.3 expected goals to 1.61 and three big chances to none, led twice and still drew, which was the first time they have led twice in a Premier League game and failed to win since December 1994. Before that they lost 1-0 at home to Leeds. This is a side losing games it deserves better from.

Gibbs-White is the reason. He scored the penalty at Anfield and now has three goals and two assists there, and across calendar 2026 only Bruno Fernandes has more Premier League goal involvements. He was left out of England's World Cup squad and has started the season like a man who noticed.

Tottenham are the opposite kind of problem. They have spent roughly 400 million pounds across ten signings this summer, including Tonali at 100 million from Newcastle, Mateus Fernandes at 85 million from West Ham, Savinho at up to 85 million from Manchester City and Marmoush on a 60 million obligation, and they have scored nothing. Brentford beat them 3-0 on the opening day with 3.96 expected goals, and Newcastle waited an hour before winning 2-0 at their place. De Zerbi's readings have been consistent and unflattering: his side "didn't fight in the right way" and "lost too many duels" at Brentford, and after Newcastle he said only that he is "not panicked" and knows where he is going.

The context around both benches is churn. Glasner is Forest's fifth head coach in twelve months, arriving in July after Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Vitor Pereira. De Zerbi was Tottenham's third of last season. Between them these two clubs have used eight managers in about fifteen months, and both are still finding out what their squads are.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Key Matchups

Morgan Gibbs-White vs Sandro Tonali and Rodrigo Bentancur

The best player on the pitch against the most expensive. Gibbs-White operates in the space between a midfield and a back line and Forest's whole attack runs through him, which makes this Tonali's first real test as a 100 million pound signing. Tonali was quiet on his debut at Brentford with two shots and little else, and Spurs have conceded five goals in two games while creating almost nothing. If Bentancur and Tonali let Gibbs-White turn and face the back four, Forest will not need many phases to get at van Hecke and van de Ven.

Dominic Solanke vs Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic

Tottenham have not scored a league goal this season, so the striker matchup matters more than it usually would. Solanke is projected to lead a front three of players who have barely played together, with Kudus returning from eight months out on one side and Marmoush five days into his Spurs career on the other. Murillo and Milenkovic are a settled, physical pairing in a back three that has conceded three goals in two games and kept Liverpool to no big chances at Anfield. Somebody in a Spurs shirt has to make a run that pulls one of them out of position, and so far nobody has.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Odds

Forest are narrow home favorites and all three outcomes are plus money, which is about as close as a three-way market gets. Tottenham run from +165 to +185 across the five books, so the away side is worth 20 cents to the shopper.

Odds from OddsJam. For more markets and the rest of the matchweek, see RotoWire's soccer betting page and the best sportsbook promos.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Set-Piece Takers

Set-piece responsibility for both clubs comes from RotoWire's Premier League set-piece takers guide, which covers all 20 teams for 2026-27.

Nottingham Forest

Corners & free kicks: Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, Ryan Yates, Dan Ndoye

Penalties: Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus

Tottenham

Corners & free kicks: Pedro Porro, Sandro Tonali, James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel

Penalties: Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus

Gibbs-White took and scored the penalty at Anfield with Wood on the bench, so treat him as the man in possession of that job. Tottenham's list is thinner than it reads, with Maddison a doubt and Richarlison out of the projected XI, which leaves Solanke on penalties and Tonali and Porro on dead balls.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Prediction

Forest have played better football than their one point suggests and are facing a Tottenham side that has yet to score. The problem is that Forest have already shown how little their territorial and chance advantage can mean if they fail to finish games. Tottenham should be more dangerous with Marmoush involved and potentially Kudus returning, but there still isn't enough cohesion in this attack to back them to win at the City Ground.

Forest should have the better chances without quite doing enough to take all three points.

Score Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Tottenham

Upcoming Fixtures

Forest travel to Aston Villa on Sept. 12. Tottenham host Everton the same day, which is De Zerbi's next chance to score a first goal of the season at home.

This article is part of our Game Previews series.

Tottenham and Manchester United meet Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their 204th all-time encounter. Both clubs are well below where they want to be in the table.

Prior to Saturday's matches, Tottenham find themselves in no-man's land, sitting in 14th place on 27 points; 10 points clear of the drop zone but also 14 points off the pace required for European qualification. Manchester United's inconsistent play has landed them just one place above Spurs in the table, hanging onto 13th place with 29 points earned through 24 fixtures played.

Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups

Premier League Schedule and Fixture Difficulty Ranker

Premier League Player News & Updates

Premier League Injuries & Suspensions

HEAD TO HEAD

Tottenham and Manchester United have met on 203 occasions, dating back to 1899 when Tottenham drew with Manchester United, then known as Newton Heath, in a 1-1 FA Cup First Round matchup.

Tottenham have ruled the roost over the Red Devils of late, going unbeaten over their last five encounters (three wins, two draws).

Spurs have won both matchups this season, including a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture and a 4-3 triumph in the Carabao Cup's fifth round at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Manchester United lead the all-time series, winning 96 times and drawing on 51 occasions.

ODDS

Premier League Odds Comparisons

Moneyline

DraftKings: TOT +145 Draw +275, MUN +165 (PROMO CODE)

FanDuel: TOT +150 Draw +270, MUN +165 (PROMO CODE)

BetMGM: TOT +140 Draw +270, MUN +170 (BONUS CODE)

Bet365: TOT +145 Draw +275, MUN +162 (BONUS CODE)

RECENT FORM

Tottenham (LLWWL) have continued to plummet down the table over the last few months. They've collected just seven points from a possible 30 over their last 10 Premier League fixtures (two wins, seven losses, one draw).

Manchester United (WLWWW) have found improved form under Ruben Amorim, depending on how you look at it. Over their last 10 Premier League fixtures, the Red Devils have earned 16 of a possible 30 points (five wins, four losses, one draw).

FORMATIONS

Ange Postecoglou opened the season playing a 4-3-3, though injuries have forced him to change lineups and strategies. Over their last five league fixtures, he's used a variety of a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and even played a three-at-the-back (3-4-2-1) in a loss at Goodison Park. Clearly, injuries have derailed plans since early in the season.

Amorim has implemented his 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford with an emphasis on wing-backs providing width in attack and maintaining the ability to retreat into deeper defensive positions. When executing a high press after being dispossessed, the United shape usually shifts to a 4-4-2, with an attacking midfielder joining the striker in the vanguard of their high-intensity defensive effort.

LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS

Tottenham Hotspur

As they have throughout the season, Tottenham continue to manage a rash of injuries. Fortunately, Postecoglou will receive somewhat of a boost this week with players returning to fitness across all levels of the pitch.

After suffering an ankle injury in November, first-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario is set to reclaim his place between the sticks in the Spurs' starting XI, supplanting Antonin Kinsky.

Central defender Radu Dragusin is the latest casualty of the injury-plagued Tottenham campaign after suffering a season-ending knee injury at the beginning of February. However, Destiny Udogie (hamstring) has returned to training and will be available for selection. With key center-backs Micky van de Ven (undisclosed) and Cristian Romero (quadriceps) still weeks away in their quest to return to fitness, expect to see a back four with Archie Gray and Kevin Danso serving centrally and Pedro Porro operating on the right-flank. Expect Djed Spence to continue to earn the majority of minutes as Udogie rebuilds his stamina.

Rodrigo Bentancur (concussion) has been a welcome addition in his return to the squad, assuming his familiar holding midfield role in Spurs' last two league fixtures. If Postecoglou opts for a midfield double-pivot, look for Bentancur to play alongside Pape Sarr, who has started in four of the last five league fixtures, or Yves Bissouma. If a midfield of three is the preference, look for Lucas Bergvall's name to be included on the team sheet, as well.

Postecoglou's options in the striker role has been limited since Dominic Solanke (knee) and Richarlison (calf) have been ruled out for at least the next few weeks. Conversely, in the attacking midfield roles, Spurs are reinforced with the return of James Maddison (calf) after a near three-week absence. Further boosting the attacking options, Timo Werner (hamstring) and Brennan Johnson (calf) have resumed training and will face pre-match fitness tests. With the attrition in the No. 9 role, expect new arrival and Bayern Munich-loanee Mathys Tel to spearhead the attack supported by Son Heung-Min, Dejan Kulusevski and possibly Maddison or Johnson.

Manchester United

Manchester United enter the fixture in relative health, nursing only three long-term injuries.

Lisandro Martinez (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. In his absence, expect Harry Maguire, who has started in four of United's last five league fixtures, to retain his place in the starting XI alongside Matthijs De Ligt and either Leny Yoro or Noussair Mazraoui. In the wing-back roles, Diogo Dalot is likely to patrol the right flank with new signing Patrick Dorgu likely to make his Premier League debut at left wing-back. After experiencing a set back in his earlier quest to return to the pitch, Luke Shaw (calf) won't be rushed back into the lineup.

Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo were selected as Amorim's midfield pairing most often over their last five Premier League fixtures, though the latter has been moved to more of an attacking role at times. When the manager selects Alejandro Garnacho in his side, Bruno Fernandes drops a line and serves in the midfield alongside Ugarte.

Rasmus Hojlund has not scored a Premier League goal since December. As a result, it's conceivable that Amorim would opt for Joshua Zirkzee up top. Zirkzee bagged a goal off the bench in United's 2-1 FA Cup win against Leicester City earlier this month.

Amad Diallo's name has been written in permanent marker on the United team sheet, having started each of United's last 10 Premier League matches. He'll support the striker in an advanced midfield role off of the striker's right shoulder while Garnacho, Fernandes or Mainoo fill the role off the striker's left shoulder.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Pedro Porro: Given the expectation that Dorgu will make his Premier League debut for United, expect Postecoglou to target the newly-arrived wing-back by giving Porro full license to fly up the pitch. Over his most recent five starts across all competitions, Porro has poured in 28 crosses (eight accurate) and attempted 11 shots (four on goal) en route to creating six chances and supplying two assists.

Bruno Fernandes: If Manchester United are to successfully swoop into North London and earn three points, expect Fernandes to be the United attacker who finds an unlocking pass in transition. If Fernandes is held in check during open play, he still has the propensity to contribute from set pieces, as he calls the shots for United on free kicks, corners and penalties. Over his most recent five starts across all competitions, United's captain has created 13 chances, scored once and assisted once.

BETTING PICKS & PREDICTION

Man of the Match: Dejan Kulusevski

Kulusevski is the spark that ignites the Tottenham attack. Over his last five appearances (four starts) across all competitions, the attacking midfielder has created nine chances and supplied two assists. In the 15 matches (all competitions) in which Kulusevski has recorded a goal contribution this season, Spurs have won eight, lost four and drawn three times.

Result: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Manchester United

UPCOMING EPL FIXTURES

Tottenham Hotspur: Feb. 22 at Ipswich Town