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Resurgent Spurs aiming to build on back-to-back wins as they head to City Ground in the Premier League

City Ground clash: Nottingham Forest host Tottenham in the Premier League this weekend

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George Flood

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham will hope to make it three wins in the space of eight days when they travel to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Spurs have enjoyed a resurgent week to ease the pressure on head coach Thomas Frank, who delivered a badly-needed first home top-flight triumph since the opening day of the season as former club Brentford fell 2-0.

That was quickly followed up by a 3-0 brushing aside of Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday, with previously disgruntled Tottenham fans finally given some cause for optimism in north London on a night when beloved former captain Heung-min Son returned to say a proper goodbye.

Now it’s back on the road for Spurs, who face a Nottingham Forest side who beat FC Utrecht 2-1 in the Europa League on Thursday evening thanks to a late effort from Igor Jesus.

Forest have generally been much improved under their third manager of the season in Sean Dyche, though a 3-0 loss at the hands of former club Everton that left them heading into the weekend sitting 17th and only two points above the relegation zone will certainly have stung.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham is scheduled for a 2pm GMT kick-off on Sunday December 14, 2025.

The match will take place at the City Ground in Nottingham.

Where to watch Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports+. Coverage begins at 12:30pm GMT.

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Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Matt Verri at the ground.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham team news

Ola Aina, Chris Wood, Angus Gunn and Ryan Yates are all sidelined for Forest, who were also without first-choice goalkeeper Matz Sels in the Netherlands due to a groin issue.

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi is approaching his comeback having recently returned to training.

Injury doubt: Brennan Johnson may not play for Spurs against his former club

AFP via Getty Images

Spurs remain without Destiny Udogie due to a hamstring injury, though Brennan Johnson is available to face his former club following a knock that ruled him out in midweek.

Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma and James Maddison are all still out, though Radu Dragusin and summer signing Kota Takai are both back fit and will be pushing for their first involvement of the season in the matchday squad.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham prediction

It has been an enjoyable few days for Spurs, who were desperate for some home wins to ease the pressure on Frank and defuse simmering tensions that had been arising between frustrated fans and players in recent weeks.

Their away form has generally been strong, with four wins and only one defeat on the road so far this term, while only fellow strugglers West Ham and Wolves have earned fewer points at home in 2025/26 to date than Forest.

Dyche has been going very well with six wins from his first 11 games across all competitions since replacing ex-Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, denied a swift reunion with his Europa League winners after being sacked after only 39 days in charge in October, though Forest’s ongoing frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Everton last time out.

We’re backing Spurs to shade an entertaining game that won’t be short on goalmouth action to continue their recent resurgence under Frank.

Tottenham to win, 2-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Forest did the double over a Spurs team that finished 17th in the Premier League last season under Postecoglou, winning 1-0 at home on Boxing Day before a 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.

Nottingham Forest wins: 39

Tottenham wins: 59

Draws: 29

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham match odds

Nottingham Forest to win: 31/20

Tottenham to win: 15/8

Draw: 23/10

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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Thomas Frank has said Tottenham will definitely be in the market for players during the January transfer window.

The north Londoners missed out on moves for Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White over the summer and were left to complete the bulk of their business towards the end of the window.

However, a hamstring injury to Destiny Udogie has also left the club’s decision not to pursue a left-back in the summer looking increasingly misguided.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, Frank said he was already in discussions with co-sporting directors Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici about the club’s plans for January.

“After the window shut in September, we had the first formal meeting and it is an ongoing process that I, of course, also get to know more and more [about] the squad and players,” Frank said.

“One thing is the daily interaction and I have also seen a lot of games live, watched them back and you see all the small good habits and bad habits from the players. What can you affect? Or [what] will be tricky? Or how the relationship is?

Tottenham brought in Mohammed Kudus before the start of pre-season, but after failed moves for Eze and Gibbs-White, they were made to wait until the end of the window to tie up deals for Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani.

Simons and Kolo Muani have taken time to adapt, owing to the fact they did not have the benefit of a full pre-season at Tottenham, and Frank said the club hoped to conduct their January business quickly.

“Of course. We will definitely be in the market. No doubt about that,” Frank continued.

“We want them as early as possible, like every other time and let’s see if we can have them before the 31st of January.

On Spurs’ failed pursuits of Eze and Gibbs-White, Frank refused to comment on players who were not at the club, but the Dane remained adamant that it did not impact their plans over the summer.

“If I ever speak about other players, it needs to be [Lionel] Messi or [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [who] are retiring soon.

“I think not about that specific situation or other players, just every position we have, we have more players on the list for right-back, centre-back, number six, goalkeeper, right winger, whatever... and it is never straight forward in terms of signing players, that’s for sure.”

Tottenham are expected to show changes when they face Slavia Prague in the Champions League tonight.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank has tweaked his starting lineup from match to match all season and a repeat of that is expected this evening for a game his side will hope to win in comfortable fashion.

Tottenham will be without Destiny Udogie, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Brennan Johnson is "touch and go" as to whether he can be involved.

Xavi Simons scored and assisted in the win over Brentford on Saturday and will hope to start again to try and build on that momentum.

Wilson Odobert could come into the side to freshen up the attack, with Richarlison potentially the one to miss out.

Rotation in midfield is likely, with Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Joao Palhinha all pushing to come into the side.

Spurs are firm favourites against Slavia Prague, who are yet to win in the Champions League this season, and Frank could use it as an opportunity to rest one of Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven heading into the festive period.

The FA Cup third round draw takes place tonight as Premier League and Championship clubs all enter the picture. Holders Crystal Palace will kick off the defence of the trophy they won for the very first time in the club's history at Wembley back in May with a shock victory over Manchester City, while Eberechi Eze - the scorer in that final - will hope to help Arsenal extend their record number of FA Cup successes this season as Chelsea also aim to make up for a poor showing last year.

Manchester United are seeking to reclaim the trophy they won in 2023-24, Tottenham are hunting for more silverware after ending the long trophy drought with success in the Europa League almost seven months ago, while the FA Cup may represent Liverpool's best chance of a trophy this season.

It has been an eventful competition for non-league sides Macclesfield and Weston-super-Mare who made it through with wins over the weekend. Boreham Wood could be joined in round three by fellow National League side Brackley Town if they manage to overcome Burton tonight. Former England internationals Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will carry out the proceedings. Follow the FA Cup third round draw live below!

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Xavi Simons scored his first Spurs goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brentford

AFP via Getty Images

Sam Tabuteau

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Thomas Frank let the handbrake off. Free-flowing, attacking football was back at Tottenham in their 2-0 win over Brentford.

Spurs have now set the standard in attack, says Frank, after a performance in which they ought to have scored more than the two first-half goals they mustered in just their second home league win of the season.

Tottenham, so often this season reactive to their opposition’s game plan, were dominant from start to finish and were richly deserving of three points.

“Sometimes you work hard on things, and sometimes (it) just suddenly clicks and said before the team has been a little bit out of sync,” Frank said after the game.

“In some stages, today, a lot more players were on the same page at the same time throughout the game.

Spurs eased the pressure on Thomas Frank with a much-improved display in their win against Brentford

AFP via Getty Images

“I think we looked such a threat going forward. Great chances, played with pace, tempo, penetration, unpredictable. So, I like that was everything we'd like to be, but also being aggressive in the pressure.”

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At the centre of what felt like a blueprint-defining victory for Frank was Xavi Simons.

His performance was the full of pace, tempo, penetration and unpredictability.

On just his third Premier League start of the season, the Dutchman was a lightning rod for Tottenham's attack, popping up in the right channel to assist Richarlison’s opening goal before driving through the middle to double the Spurs advantage right before half-time.

Simons’ first Tottenham goal was the sort of spark of ingenuity Frank said he knew the midfielder was capable of when Spurs bought him in from RB Leipzig in the summer.

For Simons and Spurs, consistency is the now key if they are to build on Saturday.

“That's what I believe from the beginning, that Xavi can produce that out of nothing. And I will say, everything just needs a little bit of adaptation sometimes with everything. Him, the team, everything. And this was a very good step. Now it's the next thing to do it again and again and again.”

Xavi Simons scored a stunning individual goal against Brentford

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It has been a tricky start to life at Tottenham for Simons, who has struggled to get to grips with the pace and physicality of the Premier League. But he more than held his own against Brentford.

In and out of possession, Simons chipped away at Brentford’s resolve. Niggling tackles, quick feet and an awareness of where the space was. Simons had a vision of the game, and his team-mates helped him execute it to a tee.

In the continued absence of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, Spurs have relied heavily on Mohammed Kudus to conjure up inspiration from the right flank.

However, with Simons floating across the pitch, stitching the play together, Kudus has a focus, and Tottenham have direction and unpredictability.

Frank was honest in his assessment of his squad last week when saying he did not know his best team. Simons, though, now surely has played his way into contention for regular starts.

There was a buzz around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Spurs had come to entertain and their supporters, who repaid the players’ efforts with a rousing ripple of applause on the half-time and full-time whistle.

Frank will want to keep hold of that feeling. He did not quite produce a Christmas miracle in beating a Brentford side as derisory away as Tottenham have been at home this season. But what he did do was lay the foundations from which his side simply has to build upon.

Spurs have often in recent years been bound by a strict identity, from Mauricio Pochettino to Ange Postecoglou, and the adaptable Frank may just have set out the philosophy he hopes will come to define his time in charge.

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Thomas Frank’s list of injured players has grown heading into the busy festive period

Latest: Destiny Udogie, Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke

Standard Sport

Alex Dakers

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham face two more big games this week after they eased the pressure on Thomas Frank with a 2-0 win against Brentford.

Spurs host Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday needing a victory to boost their chances of finishing in the top eight and qualifying for the knockout stage automatically.

They then travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday looking to build some momentum in the Premier League.

Frank has fresh injury concerns over Randal Kolo Muani and Destiny Udogie, while Spurs fans are still waiting for the return of Dominic Solanke.

With that in mind, here is the latest Tottenham injury news and return dates…

Randal Kolo Muani

Randal Kolo Muani impressed against Brentford but was substituted after 74 minutes.

Frank was not asked about Kolo Muani after the game but the on-loan striker was later seen limping as he left the stadium.

Kolo Muani has started for Spurs in seven of their last eight matches and has established himself as a key part of their attack in the absence of Dominic Solanke.

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Spurs are due to train on Monday morning ahead of the Slavia Prague game and Frank is then due to provide an update on Kolo Muani in his press conference on Monday afternoon.

Potential return date: Tuesday, December 9 vs Slavia Prague (H)

Destiny Udogie

Frank confirmed Destiny Udogie has suffered a soft tissue injury after the left-back was left out of the Spurs squad against Brentford.

Udogie, who played the full 90 minutes in last week’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle but was seen hobbling towards the end of that match.

Asked how long Udogie will be out for, Frank said: “Not too long. He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle.”

Potential return date: December 2025

Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke has not played for Spurs since August because of a troublesome ankle injury.

Solanke recently refused to put a timescale on his return but Frank provided his latest update on the striker last week and the striker does not appear to be close to a return.

Asked about Solanke and fellow long-term absentee Deki Kulusevski, Frank said: "When they are ready to really be close to being involved in the squad, then I will give more information.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Radu Dragusin

One long-term absentee who is close to a return is Radu Dragusin, who stepped up his comeback from a serious knee injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.

Dragusin, who has been out since January played 65 minutes against Dagenham and Redbridge after playing 45 minutes against Leyton Orient last month.

Speaking after that match, Dragusin: "It felt good, first minutes in 10 months out, finally minutes in the legs and I just have to build on this.”

Potential return date: December

Dejan Kulusevski

Another player with a shot at a comeback before the end of the year is Dejan Kulusevski.

Kulusevski has been out since the end of last season with a patella injury but he was back on grass during last month’s international break.

Frank has said previously there is a “good chance” that the playmaker could return in 2025 but his comeback will not be rushed.

Potential return date: Late December

Kota Takai

Yet to feature for Spurs since signing from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer, Kota Takai joined Dragusin in lining up with the U21s against Dagenham last Tuesday.

Takai completed the first half of that match but it is still not clear when the defender will be ready to return to the first team.

“First of all, I am just glad I finished without getting injured,” Takai said. “And now, I want to work hard toward making my debut for the first team next.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Yves Bissouma

Yves Bissouma is another player yet to make an appearance for Spurs this season.

He missed the UEFA Super Cup in August for disciplinary reasons and then was stretchered off just minutes after his return to action for Mali while on international duty the following month.

Bissouma has since had surgery, with Frank revealing in October that the defensive midfielder had suffered ankle ligament damage.

Potential return date: Unknown

James Maddison

Having undergone surgery on a torn ACL sustained in a pre-season meeting with Newcastle, James Maddison is expected to miss most if not all of the 2025-26 season.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

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Tottenham will on Tuesday look to take another step towards the Champions League knockout stages with the visit of Slavia Prague.

A much-needed, morale-boosting win over Brentford means Spurs are seeking back-to-back home victories in all competitions, and another three points could see them move into the top eight of the league phase of the Champions League.

Czech champions Slavia Prague have already ended up on the wrong end of one meeting with a north London side this season - going down 3-0 at home to Arsenal - and head to Spurs without a win in Europe this season. It has been 18 years since they won a Champions League game.

Spurs will be aware that Slavia Prague have kept both Atalanta and Athletic Club at bay this season, so will need their shot-shy attack on top form on Tuesday.

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Matt Verri at the ground.

Tottenham are sweating over the fitness of two more players following their win over Brentford.

Destiny Udogie missed the game with a “soft tissue injury”, which Thomas Frank hopes will not sideline the defender for “too long”. Randal Kolo Muani was seen limping in the mixed zone after the game, so he is a doubt for the game. Mathys Tel remains ineligible for the game.

Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski remain sidelined for the foreseeable. Radu Dragusin played another training ground friendly last week, but is also not registered for the competition.

Xavi Simons assisted one and scored a stunning second against Brenford, so deserves to keep his place. Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert are options to come into the attack.

Spurs will be confident of getting another positive result on Tuesday, even with their inconsistent form. Slavia Prague have managed to secure three draws from their five games this season, but have not scored since the opening-round draw with Bodo/Glimt.

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Thomas Frank has confirmed that Destiny Udogie has suffered a soft tissue injury after the Tottenham left-back was left out of the matchday squad against Brentford.

Udogie, who played the full 90 minutes against Newcastle during the week, had been seen hobbling towards the end of Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with the Magpies on Tuesday night.

Frank had said in his pre-match press conference on Friday that all the players who played against Newcastle would be available against Brentford.

However, Udogie was a notable absentee from the matchday squad, and Frank said following Tottenham’s 2-0 win against Brentford that the 23-year-old had sustained a “soft tissue injury” in the Newcastle match.

Even without the Italian, who was replaced in the line-up by Djed Spence, Tottenham cruised to a comfortable win over Brentford to seal just their second home league win of the season.

First half goals from Richarlison and Xavi Simons put Tottenham firmly in control, and they held on for a vitally important three points.

Udogie has missed six games in all competitions due to a recurring knee injury and now looks set for another period on the sidelines, where he joins the likes of midfielders Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison plus striker Dominic Solanke.

Thankfully for Spurs, Frank didn’t seem too concerned about the length of time Udogie may miss.