Football London

Here are Tottenham player ratings after their heavy defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday

Tottenham fell to a 3-0 defeat when it matter against Nottingham Forest in a huge Premier League clash on Sunday and here are our Spurs player ratings.

Spurs and Vitor Pereira began the day in 16th and 17th in the table respectively and just a point apart. Tudor made three changes to his team with Dominic Solanke, Richarlison and Kevin Danso coming into the team while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario played through the pain one last time before heading off to get much-needed hernia surgery next week.

Ahead of the game, an estimated 10,000 Tottenham fans packed the High Road to welcome the team coach and they brought the noise. However, despite a bright start, the players never matched that support.

The ball hit the woodwork early on when Forest striker Igor Jesus sent a header from a long Danso throw against his own crossbar. However, the Brazilian found the net at the other end against the run of play late in the first half when he got his head on the end of a Morgan Gibbs-White corner.

There was still time for Mathys Tel to have a shot pushed on to the crossbar by Matz Sels and Cristian Romero to be bundled over as he tried to head in the rebound. The official and VAR adjudged it was not a foul and the officials were booed off at the interval.

Tottenham started to look nervy in the second half and duly conceded around the hour mark when it was too easy for Callum Hudson-Odoi to get to the byline and he pulled it back for the unmarked Gibbs-White to fire through Vicario.

It became 3-0 when a deep cross from Neco Williams found the run of Taiwo Awoniyi to beat Danso and prod the ball home.

Here are our Tottenham player ratings:

Guglielmo Vicario

Playing through the pain before his upcoming hernia surgery. He tipped over Jesus' looping effort but could not get to the Brazilian's header from the ensuing corner. Saved well from Williams after the break but looked like he could have done better with Gibbs-White's strike on the hour. Couldn't do much about the third goal. 5

Kevin Danso

Brilliant early header to deny Igor Jesus right behind him in the Spurs six yard box but other than a few dangerous long throws, he couldn't add much more to the game. Was beaten by Awoniyi for Forest's third. 4

Cristian Romero

Looked to have been fouled right at the end of the first half in the Forest box but nothing given. Tried to make things happen and looked constantly frustrated with those around them. 6

Micky van de Ven

Played at left-back and didn't look quite up to the rhythm of the game in the first half and was taken off at the break. Had also collided with the advertising hoarding after one run into the Forest box. 5

Djed Spence

Put some reasonable balls into the box but seems to lose Jesus for the Forest goal before the break. 5

Pedro Porro

Started the game on the right wing but went to right-back for the second half. Got nowhere near Hudson-Odoi for Forest's second goal. Delivered very little quality from the right. 4

Archie Gray

Hit a beautiful 12th minute crossfield ball to set Tel away for a chance and another to Solanke after the break. Took a big whack from a 50-50 in the first half but managed to run it off eventually. One of Spurs' better performers again. 6

Pape Matar Sarr

Played some nice passes in either half and had a shot deflected just wide. Tried to get Spurs moving but the two young midfielders in the centre of the pitch were fighting a losing battle. 6

Mathys Tel

Saw a deflected effort bounce wide after beating his man and had an effort tipped on to the crossbar by Selz before the break. Went off with an injury with 25 minutes to go. 6

Dominic Solanke

Other than a late flurry of efforts, the England international offered very little up top but also got very little service. 4

Richarlison

Sent a header across the face of goal 14 minutes in from a Tel corner. Struggled to make too much else of an impact on the game but still crazy that he was taken off as Spurs had an attacking corner. 4

Subs

Destiny Udogie

Came on for the second half but it's difficult know whether the actually did, other than a good low ball that Bergvall slid wide on 74 minutes. 3

Lucas Bergvall

Also came on after the break. Sliced wide on the slide from Udogie's low ball into the box. Energy but little quality. 5

Xavi Simons

Would have been disappointed to have been left out of the starting line-up but offered little when he did come on. 4

Randal Kolo Muani

Brought nothing to the party. 4

Conor Gallagher

Micky van de Ven appeared to suffer a knock during the first half of Tottenham Hotspur's clash against Nottingham Forest. The Lilywhites defender collided with an advertising board and was subsequently taken off at the break.

Van de Ven, who was moving rather gingerly after the incident, was replaced by Destiny Udogie. The Netherlands international was one of two changes at half-time, with Djed Spence making way for Lucas Bergvall.

As it stands, the severity of the problem remains to be seen, with Igor Tudor expected to provide an update after the game. A quarter of an hour or so into the second half, Morgan Gibbs-White doubled the visitors' lead in north London.

The interim Spurs head coach wanted his side to pick up from where they left off on Wednesday evening when they defeated Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League last-16. The Lilywhites enjoyed a 3-2 win over Diego Simeone's side, but lost the tie 7-5 on aggregate.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Speaking to reporters at Hotspur Way ahead of the relegation showdown, Tudor commented on the connection he felt with Tottenham fans. The Croatian said: "As I said after the game, there was a beautiful sensation, a feeling of togetherness with the fans.

"It's very rare I felt this enjoyment, I enjoyed a feeling like a sensation that we are doing good on the pitch, but together with them, together with the fans.

"That was really nice, rare. We need to continue all together, if we can say, small positive moment after these two games where we can recognise small but important things for the squad."

Tudor added: "Yeah, there is a positivity, but also understanding that the game, it is not easy. So, important game, but probably it will not decide anything after the game, independent of the results. We just need to keep going on what we did in the last two games."

Despite Tottenham's best efforts, they failed to carry the momentum from midweek into the Forest clash. Vitor Pereira's side went into the game just as determined to bank three points as they fight a relegation battle of their own.

"It's a very important match, but in the end it's 11 vs 11 on the pitch," said the Forest boss. "It's not only about this game, we must have the mentality to get points from all eight games [remaining]."

On Spurs, Pereira added: "They've played the last two games with quality and spirit. It's going to be a tough game for us and a tough game for them."

Mikey Moore was on the scoresheet again for Rangers at the weekend, firing the Scottish giants to a 4-1 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium

Mikey Moore has provided an update on his future. The Tottenham Hotspur wonderkid has made quite the impression while on loan at Rangers this season, and he's 'loved every single second'.

Moore fired the Scottish giants to victory at the weekend, finding the net in a 4-1 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium. The 18-year-old forward, whose name was chanted throughout the game, doubled Rangers' lead shortly after the break, guiding the ball into the bottom corner.

He's now featured 26 times for Danny Rohl's side in the Scottish Premiership this season, scoring six goals and providing two assists. Speaking to reporters after the game on Saturday afternoon, Moore revealed that he would 'love to stay' at Rangers, so long as it's the 'right' fit.

"I’ve loved every single second I’ve been here, and I think the club is special and it’s special to me now," said the teenage sensation, as quoted by The Sun. "For me, I’m just going to enjoy the next seven games, and, obviously I need to speak to people back home.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"I don’t know what could happen, I have no clue. We’ll have conversations in the summer, and we’ll see what happens. People have spoken to me and the people around me, so conversations are happening.

"We’ll see what happens come the end of the season. I just want to enjoy the last seven games, and obviously I’ve absolutely loved it up here, so we’ll see what happens."

Before joining Rangers on loan in the summer, Moore signed a new long-term contract at Tottenham. When pressed on the situation at his parent club, with Igor Tudor temporarily in charge, the England Under-19 international continued: "Yes, we’re going to see.

"Obviously, I don’t know what’s happening with the manager and what’s happening at the club at the minute. We’ll see how the season ends, who comes in, and I’m going to speak to people and just try and find the best solution for me.

"I think this has been unbelievable for me. If it’s right for me next year, then I’d love to stay here. But we have to see what’s going to happen."

This weekend, Rohl admitted that he'd love to keep Moore at Ibrox. The Ranger boss said: "There’s no question about it that I would want him back.

"We started this week to prepare for summer. I think we are in a good position; we are very clear about what we want. We have the idea of how I want to play football, coupled with a fantastic owner.

"With the good people around me, everything goes in the right direction. I think the conversations are always there. When Mikey performs like this, you can see he enjoys playing for Rangers, the fans love him, I like him, he is a key player.

"There are a lot of good things where we could go again together, but we know he’s still not our player so let’s work in the next couple of weeks in all these directions."

The Tottenham Hotspur team has been named to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Igor Tudor has made three changes to his Tottenham team to face Nottingham Forest in a massive Premier League relegation battle on Sunday.

Spurs take on Vitor Pereira's side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the two teams sat 16th and 17th in the table respectively and just a point apart. Tudor has players starting to come back into contention, with Dominic Solanke back in the starting line-up up front with Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie, Conor Gallagher on a strong bench.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario plays through the pain one last time before heading off to get much-needed hernia surgery next week.

In the Wednesday night win against Atletico Madrid, Pedro Porro played as a right winger with Radu Dragusin as the right-back and it could be that Kevin Danso plays as a right-back behind the Spaniard rather than in a back three on Sunday.

In midfield, Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr start again despite Joao Palhinha being back available after his concussion. Xavi Simons earned big praise from Tudor after creating chances aplenty for Spurs in their win over Atletico with the Croatian telling football.london that the Dutchman was a "beautiful surprise", but is on the bench with Randal Kolo Muani.

Here's the Tottenham team Tudor has selected on Sunday:

Here's the Tottenham team we reckon Igor Tudor will select to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Igor Tudor must nail his team selection spot as Tottenham host Nottingham Forest in a massive Premier League relegation six-pointer on Sunday.

Spurs take on Vitor Pereira's side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the two teams 16th and 17th in the table respectively and just a point apart. While Lilywhites beat Atletico Madrid at home on Wednesday night, the following evening Forest required extra-time and penalties to get past Midtjylland in Denmark.

Tudor has players starting to come back into contention, although Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie, Conor Gallagher and perhaps also Dominic Solanke will only be fit for substitute roles before using the international break to build up their fitness.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will play through the pain one last time before heading off to get much-needed hernia surgery next week.

Souza comes back into contention after being ineligible for the Champions League. Pedro Porro played as a right winger on Wednesday night with Radu Dragusin as the right-back and Tudor will have to decide whether to stick with that set-up or restore the Spaniard to his defensive slot.

In midfield, Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr deserve to start again despite Joao Palhinha being back available after his concussion. Xavi Simons earned big praise from Tudor after creating chances aplenty for Spurs in their win over Atletico with the Croatian telling football.london that the Dutchman was a "beautiful surprise".

Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani also caught the eye while Richarlison is back from suspension and should get the chance to build on his impressive display at Anfield last weekend. Solanke, with his hip problem and late return to training this week, could come off the bench as the game wears on.

Here's the Tottenham team we reckon Tudor could select on Sunday:

The Tottenham interim head coach has been speaking about a moment that went viral between him and a long serving member of the club staff

Igor Tudor affectionately calls one long-serving Tottenham employee 'Arne' after a viral moment when many believed he hugged the Spurs man after mistaking him for Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

Before the north London club's draw at Anfield last weekend, the Tottenham interim boss playfully tapped a bald-headed man's shoulder on the touchline, appearing to believe it was the Dutchman. However, Tudor's smile suddenly dropped as he seemed to realise after hugging them that it was not Slot.

The Croatian had instead grabbed Spurs' team manager and player liaison officer Allan Dixon. The moment with the long-serving Dixon, who is the brother-in-law of ex-Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, swept across social media as football fans tried to work out whether a gaffe had been made.

On Wednesday night, ahead of Spurs' 3-2 win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League the two men recreated the exchange in a light-hearted moment on the touchline at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"This time we did it on purpose!" joked Tudor. "What happened was my son, who is 20-years-old, said 'in Croatia everyone is laughing at you because you made this mistake'.

"I said, ‘What mistake?’ You do know who the guy is?’. ‘No, I don’t know’. I said, 'it’s Allan Dixon, I’m spending all my days together with him'.

“So I came out [at Anfield] and he’s standing in front of my bench. What other coach can be there in front of it? It’s my training zone. He was there, I came to him to make a joke. If you understand, I came from this side (Dixon's right), I touched him and went to the other side. When he turned I was not surprised, I was laughing.

"I can imagine in Croatia because maybe they don’t know who Allan Dixon is. But in England do they think I don’t recognise the guy I spend every day, ten hours, with?! I come out and don’t know he is? It was a little bit ridiculous."

He added: "Now [against Atletico] we did it on purpose to make a joke, because from now on I call him ‘Arne’! It’s not Allan, it’s Arne!

"But this is how it works, this is 2026, it’s about news, to have fun. It’s part of the work of today, but sometimes it's really ridiculous. I don't understand it, but you need to invent some news."

France defender Laurent Blanc used to kiss the bald head of goalkeeper Fabien Barthez before every match, so after struggling Spurs impressed in both games after Tudor's Dixon moments, will the two men's interaction become a superstition that must be maintained?

"We will see," Tudor would only say with a smile.

Spurs host Nottingham Forest on Sunday in a huge game in the Premier League relegation battle with the two teams slumped in 16th and 17th in the table respectively and a point apart. While Tottenham beat Atletico but exited the Champions League on Wednesday night, the following evening Forest needed extra-time and penalties to edge past Midtjylland in Denmark.

Tudor hopes that Vitor Pereira's side go as far as possible in Europe in order to keep them distracted and expending extra energy in the final weeks of the season, although he admits it may benefit them.

"Of course I would be happy. This is normal. [If] this takes energy, for sure it helps," admitted the former Juventus boss. "Sometimes even going on in a European competition gives something else, confidence and energy,

“So sometimes it not always takes away from you, especially when you have two squads like two teams. If you don’t have injuries, it can be an advantage even to pass to the next round because it can give some energy in the dressing room."

Tudor will have Richarlison back up front for the clash with Forest after serving a European suspension in midweek and he believes the Brazilian striker, who has previously fired Everton away from relegation, can be a Tottenham talisman for the final weeks of the season.

"He’s a good guy and he cares. I didn’t know him [before]. With his tattoo and everything…he is a really amazing guy. Very calm, very caring for the squad, very willing to help the team-mates," he said. "He is always very generous the way he plays. Happy to have him."

Tottenham Hotspur are continuing their battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League as they face Nottingham Forest this weekend

Tottenham Hotspur have learned that one of their upcoming opponents will be without a key player when they meet in the Premier League. Spurs are currently preparing to face relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in north London on Sunday afternoon in an important fixture at the bottom of the table.

Igor Tudor’s side go into the clash against Forest on the back of an exit in the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid, where Spurs won 3-2 on the night but lost 7-5 on aggregate.

Tottenham are currently in 16th place in the Premier League table and just one point above the relegation zone, and one point above Sunday’s opponent, Forest.

The focus for Spurs will now be on the Premier League, where several important fixtures lie ahead as they look to steer clear of the relegation zone.

One such fixture is against Brighton on April 18, and the Seagulls have now been handed a major suspension blow for the match.

Brighton defender Lewis Dunk received a yellow card in their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday, which was his 10th in the top flight this season.

As a result, Dunk will now serve a two-match suspension, which will see the defender miss games against Burnley and Tottenham after the March international break.

Tottenham will hope that they have picked up several more points by the time that kick-off against Brighton rolls around next month.

The win over Atletico in midweek was Tudor’s first victory since taking caretaker charge at Tottenham for the rest of the season.

Spurs are now unbeaten in their last two games and will look to continue that run when they face Forest on Sunday afternoon.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Before the game, Tudor opened up on the support he has received from Tottenham fans following an improved performance and result in midweek.

“Nice, nice. I said, after the game [vs Atletico] there was a beautiful sensation, feeling of togetherness with the fans,” he said.

“Very rare. I felt this enjoyment, I enjoyed feeling like sensation that we are doing good on the pitch, but together with them, together with the fans. That was really nice, rare.

“We need to continue all together this, if we can say, small positive moment after two games where we can recognise small but important things for the squad.”

Tottenham need Cristian Romero now more than ever so it's vital the club captain is on his best behaviour for the clash against Nottingham Forest

There's a real possibility Cristian Romero could miss at least two Tottenham fixtures this season as the club bid to avoid an embarrassing relegation from the Premier League.

Spurs currently sit one point above the bottom three and face Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Igor Tudor has described the fixture as a “four-point game” with Vitor Pereira's side just one place below the Lilywhites.

"There are a lot of points to play for. Of course, it’s an important game because we are together there, so let’s say not six, but four," Tudor said on Friday.

“It’s not a final. Maybe not three points, a four-point game but still a lot of points (to go). Especially when we are so close, it’s important, but it will not decide who will (stay up).”

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

With big players such as Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur out due to injury, Spurs need as many of their fit players as possible to step up. One of those is captain Romero, who has had an up and down season.

The Argentina international has already missed six Premier League games this season due to suspension and it's vital for Spurs' chances of staying in England's top division that he plays in as many of the club's remaining eight fixtures as possible. He will need to be careful during the game against Forest, then.

As per Premier League rules, should a player pick up 10 yellow cards in their first 32 games, they will receive a two-game suspension. Tottenham have played 30 league games and Romero has picked up eight yellow cards.

That means, should the 27-year-old pick up yellow cards in Spurs' next two games against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland, he would miss the games against Brighton and Wolves. In order for that not to happen, all Romero must do is avoid being cautioned on Sunday afternoon against Forest.

That is perhaps easier said than done but Romero must try to ensure he is available as much as possible between now and the end of the campaign. If he does manage to avoid being handed a yellow card on Sunday, it would be an almighty boost as the threat of a two-game suspension would be wiped.

Interim head coach Tudor believes the players are responding to his methods and hopes to build on the last two encouraging displays against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. “No one can be in a relegation fight and enjoy. We can change this word enjoyment into something different,” Tudor said.

“Mental sharpness rises and gets bigger, that was the key. We are sleeping less on the pitch. That’s the main thing. We react before, so for me this is crucial. Now we react earlier. On what happened on the pitch, we are not always, ‘what happened?’ And then we react after. Now we react before things happen.

“Not in the way how I would like but much better. This mental sharpness, awareness of dangerous situations, this is coming up and that’s why we are better. I saw good energy. I saw good numbers. They told me the last games in the top four or five of all season for high intensity runs and this stuff so I think we are progressing.”

Tottenham take on Nottingham Forest this weekend needing a win to allay their relegation fears but things could have been very different

As Tottenham Hotspur prepare for a crucial Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, plenty of eyes will be on Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White. There was a point over the summer when it looked as though the England international would be heading to Spurs but instead he has a chance to deepen their relegation woes.

Forest felt Spurs had made an illegal approach for the star amid allegations confidential details of the 26-year-old's release clause had been disclosed. Ultimately, the move never materialised as Gibbs-White agreed a new three-year deal with his club.

"I’ve felt at home at Forest from the moment I arrived," he said after signing new terms. "The support from the fans, my teammates, and everyone around the club has been unbelievable.

"I believe in what we're building here – and with the backing of Mr Marinakis and the enormous ambition he has, I want to be part of making something special. I’m excited for what’s to come."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

In August, he spoke about another unseen factor in his decision to stay put. Gibbs-White and fiancee Britney de Villiers welcomed their second child, Hayes, over the summer after a particularly stressful pregnancy.

"Obviously in the summer, everybody's seen what was going on and whatever," the footballer told talkSPORT. "But away from that, it was a really difficult period for me and my fiancee. Having my second child, but there were a few complications with all of that.

"I believed in being professional, showing up every day and letting everything else take care of what it needs to do. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I'm delighted with my decision, more than happy. I think my fiancee is even more happy because she didn't get to carry on with all the stress."

Spurs did still spend big over the summer with more than £150million going towards new signings. However, we've looked at how things might have gone had they landed some of their targets.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Gibbs-White still feels like the big one who got away. He could have offered the creative spark Spurs have lost while also contributing goals - essentially, the things they have missed the most while James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have missed the entire season through injury.

Without his goals, Forest might well be more than a point below their weekend opponents. He has scored eight times in the league, including a late winner against fellow strugglers West Ham in January, while also delivering two league assists.

The money that might have been spent on Gibbs-White ended up being spent on Xavi Simons. The Dutch star might have scored twice against Atletico Madrid in midweek but his league tally stands at just one goal.

Ebere Eze

Eze was another potential playmaker on Spurs' radar over the summer. In fact, they looked to have the deal locked up before Arsenal stole in at the eleventh hour.

The former QPR and Crystal Palace ace put Spurs to the sword in style in November, scoring a hat-trick as Arsenal won the North London Derby 4-1. He scored two more in the reverse fixture but only has one other goal in the league this term.

Eze does appear to be hitting his stride at last if the Gunners' midweek win over Bayer Leverkusen is anything to go by. It's hard to tell whether he would have proved better suited to Spurs' tactics but there's an argument that he hasn't been as big a miss as anticipated just yet.

Bryan Mbeumo

When Thomas Frank took over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, there was talk of a reunion with Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroon star was fresh off the best scoring season of his career under Frank at Brentford so it felt like a no-brainer.

Spurs could even offer Champions League football, something rivals Manchester United were unable to do. And yet Mbeumo decided Old Trafford was the place for him.

So far, he has been vindicated and is leading a charge for Champions League qualification. Richarlison is the only Spurs player who can match his return of nine league goals, with their wide forward options some way short of that.

Yoane Wissa

Another former Brentford star, Wissa was linked with Spurs, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest when it looked as though his time in West London was up. He had scored 19 league goals under Frank the season prior so there was little concern about a failure to gel with the Danish boss.

Ultimately, the asking price made this a non-starter. Brentford held out for more and more money, with Newcastle eventually paying £50m for the Congolese international.

Wissa's time in the north east has been nothing short of a nightmare, with a knee injury making for a stop-start campaign which has seen him score just three times in all competitions. Spurs can count this as a bullet dodged.

Antoine Semenyo

Yes, Spurs were keen on Semenyo over the summer, but who wasn't? The Ghanaian international signed a new Bournemouth contract in July to all but rule out a summer exit but eventually moved to Manchester City in January.

Semenyo has 15 league goals to his name this season, 10 of those coming for the Cherries before his move. The last of them was a stoppage-time winner against Spurs which contributed to the post-Christmas decline under Frank.

Spurs were more successful in their pursuit of Semenyo's international team-mate Mohammed Kudus. However, his injury has proved damaging, with no wins in 10 games since he was forced off in the January draw with Sunderland.

Between them, the five players would have likely added the creativity and spark in attack that Tottenham have often lacked this season, meaning they may not have become embroiled in the relegation battle had they all proved successful.

We asked our Tottenham Hotspur correspondents Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to select the team Igor Tudor should pick against Nottingham Forest

Tottenham face Nottingham Forest in a huge Premier League relegation six-pointer on Sunday afternoon and Igor Tudor will need to get his team selection spot on.

Spurs welcome Vitor Pereira's side in a massive encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the two teams lying 16th and 17th in the table respectively and just a point apart. While the Lilywhites prepared for the game by beating Atletico Madrid in N17 on Wednesday night, but exiting the Champions League, the following evening Forest needed extra-time and penalties to edge past Midtjylland in Denmark.

Now the two clubs must do battle domestically with Spurs looking to move four points clear of their visitors and Forest aiming to leapfrog the north London outfit.

We asked our Tottenham reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to select the starting line-up Tudor should pick for the big match.

Alasdair Gold - Tottenham correspondent

Tudor finally has some options in certain parts of the pitch, although we can perhaps assume that the likes of Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie, Conor Gallagher and perhaps also Dominic Solanke will only be fit for roles from the bench before using the international break to build up their fitness.

Guglielmo Vicario will play through the pain again one last time before heading off to get much-needed hernia surgery next week.

Souza comes back into contention while there is also the possibility to play Micky van de Ven as the left-back, while Pedro Porro played as a right winger on Wednesday night with Radu Dragusin as the right-back.

In midfield, Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr deserve to start again despite Joao Palhinha being back from concussion. Xavi Simons needs to be on the pitch from the first whistle after finally impressing Tudor and creating chances aplenty for Spurs in their win over Atletico.

Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani also caught the eye while Richarlison is back from suspension and gets the chance to build on his impressive display at Anfield last weekend. I'd go for a 4-2-3-1 formation in order to get them all involved and some width with Solanke able to come off the bench hopefully as the game wears on.

Gold's team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Gray, Sarr; Kolo Muani, Xavi, Tel; Richarlison.

Ryan Taylor - Sports reporter

I would go for a 4-2-2-2 or a 4-4-2 with plenty of interchanging in the forward areas. Tottenham need to get at Nottingham Forest as I think they would be playing a dangerous game if they tried to tighten the game up and win by a single goal.

Pedro Porro starts at right-back and I'd actually go with Kevin Danso and Cuti Romero as the centre-backs with Micky van de Ven at left-back. I can't believe that's not been tried more often this season, particularly in recent weeks when Van de Ven has struggled at the heart of defence.

In midfield, Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr can provide energy in the centre of the park and I'd go with Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons as the two attacking midfielders/wingers, though as mentioned above, I'd like to see them play with the freedom to interchange throughout the game.

In attack, Richarlison is a must-pick following his Anfield heroics and Randal Kolo Muani looks good for a goal at the moment.

Dominic Solanke would have started for me if he was conclusively fully fit but he's evidently not, having missed Atletico Madrid and training on Friday. He would definitely be an option from the bench for me, however.