Match Preview; Forest game & the Champions League draw & dates

 

Match Preview; Forest game & the Champions League draw & dates

Before we get onto the Forest game, let us deal with our Champions league dates and opponents.

CL fixture dates:

 

September 7 (H)Marseille,

 

September 13 (A)sporting Lisbon,

 

October 4 (A)Frankfurt,

 

October 12 (H)Frankfurt,

 

October 26 (H) sporting Lisbon,

 

November 1 (A)Marseille.

 

I am looking forward to going to these games. I think our group is a good one. I have been to all those away grounds years ago and am looking forward to revisiting them again—more about our Champion League games nearer the time.

 

Now for my prediction, team news, line-up etc.

 

Nottingham Forest will host us this Sunday for the first time in many years.

In theory, Forest could move level on points with us if they can get one over on Conte's Spurs. But I expect pigs to fly before this happens… and I know some of you eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that Woolwich regularly fly abroad… so pigs can fly, but I am confident we can overcome the Reds.

Having signed 15 first-team players during the summer transfer window, Steve Cooper will be pleased with already having four points in the bag from their opening three matches.

They were disappointing on the opening day away at St James' Park last weekend - but have reacted well with a home win against the Spammers before claiming a point at Everton last time out.

We will undoubtedly represent a step-up in class from any side Forest have faced since returning to top-flight football.

Despite performing far from our best during our three matches, the fact that we still got seven points may feel a little threatening for Forest.

Only Man City and Liverpool have gained more points than us since Conte took over last October, and don't forget, we did the double over City and drew twice against the scousers. I feel that we could be the best-placed team to break City & Liverpool's stranglehold in the Premier League. And that isn't just me who thinks like this; most pundits seem to agree with my thinking.

My thoughts on our game against Wolves.

We had fewer shots and possession at home against the Wanderers. Still, a clever corner routine saw Ivan Perisic flick on a header at the near post, with Harry Kane ruthlessly heading in the air to get our winner.

Games played this season for both teams

Nottingham Forest form (all competitions):

LWDW

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

WDW

Spurs Team News

We have benefitted from a week off (Forest played in midweek).

 Cristian Romero will not likely play despite his adductor injury not being as serious as first feared.

Oliver Skipp is expected to be given time to recover from a hairline fracture in his heel. At the same time, Lucas Moura and Bryan Gil may not make the trip after missing Friday's training session with minor knocks, so it could be the same starting XI that beat the Wolves.

My possible starting line-up prediction:

Lloris; Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Perisic; Kulusevski, Son; Kane

My prediction

In the Wolves game, I predicted we would win 5-0, and yes, I got egg on my face, our game against Forest will be different, though, more of an open game.

Therefore I'll go for a 0-5 win again.

I feel we will be a little too strong for Forest this Sunday.

The Tricky Trees are still getting it together after having had a hectic transfer window; we do not necessarily need to be at our best to win matches, as Conte has instilled an attacking firepower, determination and defensive discipline within the team.

My thoughts

I must say, I like how Forest started their Premier League run. Their owners intended for them to stay in the Premier League and not be used just as fodder for other, more ambitious, teams (I am talking about City, the Scousers, Yankee-Chelsea and, of course, us). Forest have hit the road running by spending a lot of money (where it will take them, only time will tell).

The likes of the  Spammers, Toffees, Manchester United (under the Glaziers, they will sink) and even Woolwich, to name but a few, will not make the golden awards (top four). Granted, Woolwich have won their first three games against lower opposition, thus putting them at the top, but it is a force dawn for the Gooners. They, like United, will (eventually) be the has-beens of the Premier League (wishful thinking!?).

Forest have a good manager in Steve Cooper, but his manner of football might play right into our hands. Forest at home will try and take the game to Spurs, which might suit us.

I've not been disappointed in us since Conte took over. Granted, the games against Yankee-Chelsea and Wolves weren't brilliant, but we drew and won (respectively), nevertheless. To win the League will take a combination of luck, Conte's magic, grit, and determination, and I believe we've got that. Some may laugh, but Mel and I put a bet on that we will win the League. In our WhatsApp group, we've also got a bet on that we will finish in the top four and win the FA Cup.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Nottingham Forest have won six of the last ten league meetings but lost both fixtures in 1998-99, their most recent top-flight campaign.

We have won four of our last five meetings in all competitions.

We are one short of 50 league wins over Forest, which we hope to get on Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur

We last avoided defeat in our opening four league matches in 2016-17, going on to finish second that season

We have attempted a league-high 69% of our shots in the second half of matches this season (27 of 39).

We kept a clean sheet in all six meetings versus promoted opposition last season, only dropping points in a 0-0 draw at play-off winners Brentford.

Conte has lost just one of his 17 Premier League games against newly-promoted sides, going down 3-0 at Newcastle in his final league game with Chelsea in May 2018. He's won four of his five such games with us without conceding a single goal.

Harry Kane is just two goals behind Andrew Cole in third place in the overall Premier League top scorers list.

Nottingham Forest will be the 32nd different Premier League opponent Kane has faced. He has scored against 30 of the previous 31, failing to net only against Brentford.

So, there you have it. My prediction is a 0-5 win... I expect great things for us this season, whether that culminates in a league title or / and a trophy, only time will tell. Until then, enjoy and Up the Spurs!

COYS!

Glenn

PS I will be leaving very early Sunday morning (9am), Mel is picking me up and we hope to get a pub grub before the game.