Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest – LIVE!
Tottenham have the chance to move up to fourth in the Premier League when they host Nottingham Forest tonight. After Aston Villa drew with Brentford on Saturday, Spurs, who also have a game in hand, will move level on points with Unai Emery’s side if they win here, and they already have a goal difference advantage.
Tottenham have an advantage in the race for Champions League football, but Ange Postecoglou’s team has not been very convincing in recent weeks. Last time they were held by West Ham, and only a week ago they edged past Luton on home turf. Richarlison has been ruled out through injury, while Brennan Johnson hopes to get the chance to face his former side.
Forest move out of the relegation zone on goal difference alone, following Luton’s win over Bournemouth. Nuno Espirito Santo is back in north London and is keen to frustrate the club he was in charge of for just four months before being sacked in 2021. Follow all the action on Standard Sport’s LIVE blog, with expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick on the ground!
Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest latest news
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Kick-off: 6pm BST | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
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How to watch: Sky Sports
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Tottenham team news: Johnson wants to start
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Nottingham Forest team news: Awoniyi still out
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Standard Sport Prediction: Tottenham win
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Why is the kick-off at 6pm?
Nuno: The sacking of Spurs was a sad moment
16:23 , Matt Verri
Nuno Espirito Santo returns to North London tonight.
The Forest boss had just four months in charge at Tottenham before being sacked in November 2021, but he has insisted proving a point against his former club is not a priority.
“What is more important is the situation we are in and that we have to keep putting points on the table,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“That is more important to all of us. It will be a pleasure to return, play there and meet Spurs. It’s a thing of the past now, I’m focused on Forest and I’m really determined to try and put in a good performance.
“I have learned from all the moments in my life and all the experiences I have had. They (Spurs) are some too.
“I started managing in 2011 or 2012. From all the experiences I’ve had, I could always learn something – and that was no exception. It was a sad moment, but life goes on.”
Postecoglou makes a statement about ‘luxury tax’
16:10 , Matt Verri
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says he would be skeptical of plans to limit the difference in purchasing power between Premier League clubs with a ‘luxury tax’ as this could ‘demotivate’ clubs from pursuing excellence.
Reports on Thursday claimed that Premier League clubs are considering a replacement for the current points deduction-based penalties that have seen Everton and Nottingham Forest gain points this season.
One such report suggests an alternative ‘luxury tax’ system, with clubs being fined proportionally to the extent to which they have overspent under the Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Postecoglou said: “I come from a very regulated world. ‘Equalization’ is very important in Australia, just like in American sports. So I come from that world. I didn’t like it at all.
“There’s always an understanding that you have to create some kind of competitive balance between clubs and there’s not too much of a divide between clubs that can spend money at random from time to time, compared to clubs that have restrictions.
“You want to maintain that balance, but I have always had the feeling: not at the expense of demotivating people from getting the best out of themselves.”
Why is the kick-off at 6pm?
16:03 , Matt Verri
Tottenham host Nottingham Forest in an unusual kick-off.
The Premier League meeting between Ange Postecoglou’s Champions League hopefuls and former Spurs boss Nuno Espírito Santo’s relegation battlers was originally scheduled for 8pm BST on Monday 8 April.
But the match was moved forward with just ten days’ notice due to planned train strikes on Monday and now begins at 6 p.m. tonight.
The strikes on the London Underground have now been called off.
Standard sports prediction
15:55 , Matt Verri
Tottenham have made a habit of starting slowly, and Forest are able to keep things tight and frustrate the hosts.
It might not be a hugely comfortable evening for Spurs fans, but they should have enough to get the job done.
Tottenham wins 2-1.
Nottingham Forest team news
15:48 , Matt Verri
Taiwo Awoniyi remains out for Nottingham Forest.
The striker has been sidelined for almost a month with an unspecified injury, which Nuno Espirito Santo recently described as “serious”.
“It is unfortunately a serious injury,” said the Forest boss.
“It’s a big blow for us because he had just come back. I don’t know exactly how long he will be out, but I am confident we will see him again this season.”
Willy Boly and Nuno Tavares are also still unavailable.
Tottenham team news
15:42 , Matt Verri
In-form Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson is fit for his former club Nottingham Forest.
Johnson was released late after scoring in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham, but Ange Postecoglou has confirmed he is available.
Postecoglou has reflected on the composition of his attacking line, with Johnson competing with Dejan Kulusevski for a spot on the right. Timo Werner seems likely to continue on the left flank.
Richarlison has been ruled out but the Brazilian should be fit to return against Newcastle next weekend.
James Maddison will be hoping to find some form in the No.10 role after struggling to rediscover his best form since returning from injury.
Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Manor Solomon (knee) and Fraser Forster (foot) remain sidelined.
Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner; Son
How to watch Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest
15:36 , Matt Verri
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts after the Manchester United vs Liverpool match, with kick-off at 6pm BST.
Live stream: Subscribers can watch via live stream via the Sky Go app.
Live blog: Follow all the action here with us! Dan Kilpatrick will provide expert analysis from the ground.
Good afternoon!
3:30 PM , Matt Verri
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest!
It’s the final game of another eventful Premier League weekend and it’s a big game at both ends of the table.
Spurs know victory will take them above Aston Villa and into fourth place, while Nottingham Forest only move out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Any result here would be a big bonus.
We’ve got the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which takes place at 6pm BST from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!
