"The fans' support gives us that extra bit" - Danso ahead of the visit of Forest
We take on Nottingham Forest in a key Premier League battle on Sunday, with both teams jockeying for position in the lower reaches of the table.
A win for us would see us move four points clear of the visitors, but victory for Vitor Pereira’s men would see them leapfrog us in the standings with seven games to go.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match...
What time does the match start?
We get underway at 2.15pm UK time.
How can I watch the game?
The match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Supporters based overseas should check our Spurs on TV page for broadcast listings in your region.
Our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Spurs Official app will once again bring you full live text and audio commentary throughout the game, while video highlights will be available on club channels from two hours after the full-time whistle.
A full match replay will be available on SPURSPLAY from midnight after the game.
What else is happening around the game on Sunday?
From wearing white to visiting the Fan Zone and enjoying a special pre-match early bird drinks offer, there’s plenty for supporters to get involved in ahead of the game.
With travel disruption also a factor on Sunday, we’re encouraging supporters to arrive early – find out more about everything that’s happening here.
What is the team news?
Joao Palhinha is back in the frame after missing our last two matches following his clash of heads with Cristian Romero in the first leg of our Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
Igor Tudor also expects Dominic Solanke to be available after the striker missed Wednesday’s return match against Atletico at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over a small problem.
Richarlison is available for selection after serving a European suspension in midweek, but James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Rodrigo Bentancur and Ben Davies are still sidelined.
Willy Boly, Jair Cunha, Chris Wood, Nicolo Savona and John Victor are expected to be missing for Forest.
Who is the referee?
Michael Oliver is the man in the middle for Sunday’s game, assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring.
Chris Kavanagh will be the fourth official, with Tony Harrington and assistant Craig Taylor on VAR duties.
Which kit colours will the teams be wearing?
We’ll be in our usual Lilywhite shirts, navy blue shorts and white socks on Sunday.
Nottingham Forest will also wear their familiar outfit of red shirts, white shorts and red socks.
Our goalkeeper will wear blue, with Forest’s in orange.
As the excitement builds for our Women’s Under-16s in Professional Game Academy Plate final on Sunday, coach Stella Calderhead wants her young group of players to produce the standard of performances they have seen week in, week out.
Reaching a second consecutive cup final in two years, where we memorably won the PGA Champions Trophy last term, our youngsters will take on Leicester City in the showpiece event at Wheatsheaf Stadium (11am kick-off) - with free admission for supporters.
Impressing week in, week out in their league competition, our Academy side are keen to add silverware in the closing stages of the campaign but, as always, the primary focus at this level is about providing the young players with plenty of experience to prepare them for senior football in years to come - and this weekend’s cup final will be exactly that.
Stella spoke of her excitement ahead of the clash with the Foxes, but insisted that the group are focused on putting in their usual standard of performance.
“We’re all looking forward to it, and we know it will be a special occasion for such a young group of players,” she told us. “I want to hold my excitement behind; it’s more about the girls and what they show in terms of experiencing a cup final.
“We had a few of our players step up to the Under-19s this season, notably in the last few months, and they would have experienced that type of stadium, atmosphere feeling, and were excited about it.
“But it’s more about how they mentally prepare herself for this type of game and rather seeing as a massive, massive game, we want them to just go out there and express themselves on the pitch like it’s a normal league fixture and show what quality they have about them.”
As mentioned above, our Under-16s tasted success in the PGA Champions Trophy last year, beating Blackburn Rovers 6-2 on the day, and a number of players who are expected to feature in Sunday’s final would have been part of that winning side.
Stella is hoping the mixture of first years’ excitement of competing in this special occasion combined with the experienced heads of a number of second years, who competed in last year's cup final, will help their cause on the day.
“We’ve a number of first years who will be competing in a final for the first time with Spurs while some of the second years obviously experienced it last year so, as a group, they all have different experiences,” she added.
“It will be seeing how that all comes together at the weekend and, at the end of the day, it’s up to their performance as a group and as individuals.
“It’s very important as you have all types of different characters, personalities in the group, but as a group, they work really well in terms of how they prepare themselves and how they work as a unit.”
On-loan central midfielder Tyrese Hall has been named in Jamaica’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifying play-offs.
It’s a first-ever senior international call-up for the 20-year-old Academy product, who has previously been included in an extended provisional squad for Jamaica but has never before made the final cut.
Currently on loan at League Two side Notts County, Tyrese will be part of his nation’s squad for their play-off semi-final against New Caledonia in Zapopan, Mexico on 26 March.
Should they win, Jamaica will then face DR Congo in the same city five days later for a spot at this summer’s World Cup finals.
If he plays, the midfielder would become the first men’s player ever to represent Jamaica while on our books.
Tyrese, who has previously represented England at Under-19 level, has made 34 appearances in all competitions for Notts County so far this season, scoring seven goals, the latest of which came on Tuesday night as he stepped off the bench to net his side’s fourth goal in their 4-0 win at Accrington Stanley.
Congratulations, Tyrese!
Our Under-18s head to Leicester City on Saturday morning (11.30am UK), looking to continue their positive momentum at the top of the Under-18 Premier League table.
Tuesday’s 1-1 draw in the first-v-second battle with Chelsea means the title race is still wide open as we approach the business end of the campaign.
Jamie Carr’s side are 10 games unbeaten in the league and remain four points ahead of the Blues, who have two games in hand.
We secured a 2-0 home win over the Foxes in the reverse fixture back in October with Armend Muslika and Ronny Moncur on target.
Rivals Chelsea, meanwhile, are at home to Reading on Saturday, their game beginning half-an-hour earlier at 11am.
Supporters will be able to follow live text updates from our match at Leicester’s training ground via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Spurs Official app.
We’ll then have the usual post-match report and reaction available to read on the same platforms afterwards.
Highlights | Under-18s hold Chelsea in top-of-the-table clash
This week we have seen an incredible show of unity and support from across our fanbase, driven by the clear message that we are all together, always.
Supporters, players and staff alike have shared this rallying call ahead of Sunday’s fixture against Nottingham Forest – and this message will ring through N17 on matchday as we create an unforgettable atmosphere for the ages.
With kick-off set for 2.15pm, we’re inviting all fans to arrive early and get involved – full details of what’s in store can be found below.
We thank all of the fans and supporter groups who have made this moment possible, including the brilliant volunteers at THFC Flags who are behind our stadium’s most memorable visual displays.
Wear something white
To create a powerful visual effect in the stadium, supporter groups are encouraging all fans to wear something white to the game. We’re supporting this message – so with mild, sunny weather expected on Sunday afternoon, pick out your favourite home shirt from down the years to create a sea of Lilywhite through the stands.
THFC Flags display
THFC Flags will be ramping up the atmosphere with an incredible display of flags throughout the ground. Several large waver flags will be on display in the South Stand and volunteers will be on hand to distribute ‘All Together, Always’ banners to fans throughout the stadium. Chequered flags will also be placed across the lower section of our South Stand for supporters to wave. As these flags belong to THFC Flags and will be re-used at future games, please support them by returning them to the green collection bin in Block 248, or leave them in your seat, at the end of the game. THFC Flags is a fan-led organisation who have made the fantastic displays we’ve so often seen at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium possible. To learn more about their work and how you can support them, click here…
Early bird drink offer - buy one, have one on us!
To thank fans for arriving early on Sunday, we’ll be offering a free drink with every drink bought between 12.15pm and 1.30pm across all areas of the stadium. Beer, cider and soft drinks are included in this offer, with fans able to purchase up to two paid drinks (4 in total) per transaction. Fans intending to greet the players’ coach for its arrival are encouraged to enter the stadium in good time to make use of this offer.
Fan Zone
A dedicated Fan Zone will be located on the South podium, outside the South Stand. Activities will begin at 12.15pm and continue during the build-up to kick-off, with fans able to enjoy interviews with Spurs Legends, music from Luke Carey and the Voice of Spurs, James Black, and more.
Plan ahead - travel disruption
Mathys Tel is under no illusions when it comes to the significance of Sunday's Premier League crunch game against Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (2.15pm UK).
Sitting one point and position above 17th-placed Forest heading into this weekend, the young Frenchman has likened the contest to a ‘final’ because, as part of the squad who lifted the Europa League trophy in Bilbao last season, he knows it's the type of fixture that demands intensity, courage and a total commitment from himself, team-mates and everyone connected to the Club.
After making his initial loan move from FC Bayern Munich permanent in the summer, the 20-year-old attacker brought up his half century in our colours with a start in our 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg in midweek.
Despite it ending in elimination from the competition with a 7-5 aggregate defeat, Mathys helped spark the fightback with a great cross for Randal Kolo Muani’s first-half opener and Xavi Simons scored twice in response to Atleti’s equalisers in a morale-boosting win on the night which highlighted a shared commitment and willingness to fight from the first whistle to the last.
Our fans certainly played their part, too. They brought the energy throughout and showed their appreciation at the performance with a standing ovation at the final whistle with Mathys, who was substituted on 81 minutes to a warm reception of his own from the Spurs faithful as he made his way back to the dugout, underlining the importance of unity and our supporters when we take on Vitor Pereira's side in N17.
"For me, it's a final," he said, speaking exclusively for the matchday programme ahead of the Nottingham Forest game.
"It's a final because we almost have the same points and these three points can change everything. So, for us, we have to stay together.
"We have to go into this game making sure that everybody gives everything and we really need the fans. We need them to be loud, to be behind us the first minute until the last minute.
"We saw that they were behind us. This type of energy just gives us more energy and the fans will push us until the end. As a team, we have to stay together, but as a club, we have to stay together too."
You can read Mathys' exclusive interview in full in the matchday programme.
Igor Tudor spoke to the media at Hotspur Way on Friday, ahead of our Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (2.15pm).
Here's what he had to say...
It looks like there are no fresh injuries - Joao is back - how is Dominic Solanke?
Igor: "Dom didn't train, but probably tomorrow he will train with the team and he will be available. It's a problem with his hip, so he will be okay."
No fresh issues apart from that?
Igor: "No."
Can I get your reaction to the FA misconduct charge?
Igor: "Yeah, they told me about this. We focus on the game, that is the most important thing."
All the supporters are getting together for Sunday - how does that feel?
Igor: "Nice, nice as I said after the (Atletico Madrid) 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."
How do you feel? Did you get that feeling in the stadium?
Igor: "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."
What have you learned about your players over the past seven days that perhaps you didn't know beforehand?
Igor: "What did I learn about players that I didn't know before? What can I tell you about that question? Nothing new. I didn't learn anything new."
Forest were away and had to go to penalties to win their Europa League tie on Thursday - how much of an advantage do you think that is?
Igor: "No, there would be no advantage because the coach made it in the way so the players who started didn't play more than 60 minutes. So there would not be an advantage from this point of view."
Spurs have scored the second-most goals from corners in the Premier League this season and Forest have conceded the second-most goals from corners. How big a part do you think set pieces could be?
Igor: "Set pieces are always important. After you said about the statistics, we just need to go on set-pieces and win set-pieces if it's possible! But, of course, it's not just set pieces. It's a long game to play, a few games in the game. You need to be inside from the first to last second of the game, including five subs. Big respect to them because they have players who can hurt us, but as well, going on our sides, going on with our things, with confidence, with courage, with humbleness, with all the stuff necessary to take the points."
How do you get Xavi playing like he did against Atletico Madrid consistently for you?
Igor: "Oh, I didn't get him. He himself was motivated, was good, was with the right mentality and when he's like that, his qualities come out. So, his qualities connect a lot with these things I said now. It was a really beautiful surprise for me. He was inside from the first second of the game. It was nice to find in him this resource we will need in these last games we still have to play."
Xavi and Archie had most ball recoveries - is it strange to have a playmaker who is actually a fighter?
Igor: "For sure. In football today, it's always about 11 players who need to defend, so the more players you have with these values, the better result you get."
When are you expecting to have Mo Kudus back?
Igor: "So we have this big three weeks after the game on Sunday. I don’t know. Probably some part of the things with the squad, maybe 10 days. I don’t know, I’m not sure. We need to check but he is progressing very well, already a little bit with the ball. Rodrigo (Bentancur) as well, Maddison as well. We hope the medical staff will make us some nice surprise in the next weeks which would be very important.
Could Maddison play before the end of the season?
Igor: "Yes. Maddison is already doing interesting things as well with the ball, sprinting as well. I saw him. He is positive."
Any news on Dejan Kulusevski?
Igor: "No, not yet."
You have a big break after this Forest game - an international break and then a weekend without a fixture - have you planned what you want to do?
Igor: "No, a lot of players are with national team of course and we make already plans. It will be some rest and a lot of work."
Would you like a game on that weekend without a match?
Igor: "We will see. For now, it is not a problem."
How conscious are you of having players on the bench now who can come on and make an impact?
Igor: "Yeah, it will be nice to have five or six subs on Sunday. It can be so important."
Richarlison's equaliser at Anfield felt like a significant moment - how motivated is he for this game?
Igor: "For sure, not just about him but we need this kind of performance after the long period of problems. The key now is to not think that this kind of mentality we put on the pitch will come and be done by themselves. The confirmation is always key in the sport and from the first minute the same way, the same mentality and all the tactics and technical things come after this."
We host Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (22 March) for what is the 18th Premier League meeting between the two sides.
This will be our ninth home Premier League fixture against the Reds and the fourth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where we have won two of the last three home meetings against Sunday’s opponents.
Richarlison, who scored the dramatic late equaliser in our previous Premier League outing away at Liverpool, heads into this game having scored in two of the last three games he has played against Nottingham Forest.
Despite starting fewer than half of our games (14/30), the Brazilian has scored more than twice as many goals as any other Spurs player in the Premier League this season (nine), and has either scored (two) or assisted (two) in four of his five Premier League appearances against the Tricky Trees.
Our last home win against Forest was a 3-1 win in April 2024, where second-half goals from Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro saw us secure a 3-1 victory.
Here are some other headline stats courtesy of Opta, ahead of a crucial game in N17...
As well as positive news on James Maddison, Igor Tudor gave an update on Mo Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur on Friday.
Out all season after suffering a serious knee injury on tour in August, Igor said he was hopeful Madders could return before the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Mo and Rodrigo - both out since January - have both returned to ball work as they continue their rehabilitation.
Speaking in his pre-Forest press conference at Hotspur Way, Igor was asked if there was any news on Mo's return. "We have this big three weeks after the game on Sunday," he said.
"I don't know, probably some part of the things with the squad, maybe 10 days. I don't know, I'm not sure, we need to check, but he's progressing very well – already with the ball. Rodrigo (Bentancur) as well, Maddison as well. We hope the medical staff will make us some nice surprise next week, which would be very important.
“Maddison is already doing interesting things as well, with the ball, sprinting as well. I saw him. He's positive."