Opposition Preview: Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

On Boxing Day, we see Spurs travel to the East Midlands, as they face Nottingham Forest for match day eighteen of the Premier League season.

So, what can we expect from our hosts?

How Nottingham Forest shape up ahead of Boxing Day action

To date, Forest have been one of the big surprises in the Premier League this season, perhaps the biggest. Tipped by many for relegation, they currently sit fourth in the Premier League, a while eight points above Tottenham Hotspur as it stands.

Weirdly, they are the only team to have lost to Manchester City in Pep Guardiola’s sides last 12 games, despite the good form they have themselves been in, further proving to expected the unexpected in this mental sport.

As most people will know, Forest are managed by former Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Despite it not working out in N17, you imagine most fans wish him well, as someone who is no doubt a very good person. We saw at Wolves how good he is at a similar type of project, and no qualms here at him doing well.

There are plenty of dangermen all over the pitch in this Forest side. The quality of Morgan Gibbs-White in midfield is well known, and wingers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga have serious pedigree behind them.

Up front, Chris Wood has been one of the better strikers in the Premier League this season, and the idea of Hudson-Odoi running in behind Pedro Porro, before whipping a cross in for him is pretty petrifying.

Back into midfield, Elliot Anderson has been huge since joining from boyhood club Newcastle United in the summer. Whether it be as a number ten or in a deeper midfield role, the 22-year old has been brilliant on and off the ball this season, and is a key reason as to why they are where they are.

In central defence, Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo have been absolutely imperious. The former joined from Fiorentina in the summer, and has formed an absolutely brilliant partnership with his Brazilian counterpart. With Milenkovic you have superb box defending and aerial presence, whilst Murillo provides the pace and composure on the ball.

At full-back, Ola Aina has been a mainstay at right-back, and has been really good at both ends of the pitch. At left-back, either Alex Moreno or Neco Williams have really shown themselves to be big parts of the team too.

Finally, in goal, Matz Sels has been one of the best keepers in the league so far this season. Forest have protected him well, but on the times they have been breached – he has been there to help win them points.

One saving grace for Spurs is that Forest are not as good at home as they are away. On the road, only Chelsea and Liverpool have accumulated more than their 20 points. However, at home, their 14 points has them in mid table, with just one more point than Ange’s side.