The City Ground is poised for an electrifying clash as two sides, still finding their footing after a whirlwind summer transfer window, lock horns. Nottingham Forest, under the tutelage of Oliver Glasner, desperately hunt for a foundational first win, while Roberto de Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur aim to ignite their Premier League campaign after a stuttering start that belies their significant transfer outlay. This isn’t just a match; it’s an early-season crucible, a test of new systems, new faces, and the very resolve of managers under immediate pressure.
De Zerbi, the architect of a supposed new era at Spurs, has seen his substantial investment in the squad yield only back-to-back defeats, leaving a stark question mark over their readiness. Across the dugout, Glasner, in his nascent tenure at Forest, understands the critical importance of a home victory to galvanize his squad and build crucial momentum. Both tacticians have shuffled their packs, bringing in fresh talent and tweaking formations in a bid to unearth that elusive winning formula. The stage is set for a narrative-rich encounter, where every pass, tackle, and shot will carry immense weight.
Here’s how the sides line up, and what these selections tell us about their intentions.
Nottingham Forest Team News: Glasner Bets on Delap to Spark Attack
Oliver Glasner’s Forest shows signs of a manager making bold statements. The late arrival of former Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz, a defensive reinforcement snapped up on deadline day, sees him start on the bench – a testament to his immediate integration and potential impact. His presence offers flexibility, but for now, the established backline holds its ground. The significant absence is midfield engine Ibrahim Sangare, sidelined with a calf problem. This creates a gaping void in the engine room, robbing Forest of crucial ball-winning and distribution capabilities, and putting added pressure on the remaining midfielders.
The headline change, however, is the inclusion of record signing Liam Delap, who comes straight into the starting XI. This is a clear declaration of intent from Glasner: to inject pace, power, and a direct threat into the attack. Delap’s presence means Igor Jesus misses out, a tactical decision aimed at maximizing Forest’s attacking potency upfront. The team sheet suggests a robust setup, possibly a 3-4-3 or 5-3-2 with wing-backs Neco Williams and Ola Aina providing width. The creative burden will heavily fall on Morgan Gibbs-White, tasked with linking midfield with the dynamic duo of Ndoye and Delap. Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic will need to be at their commanding best to anchor the defense, providing a platform for the attacking flair.
Forest XI: Matz Sels, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Jair Cunha, Neco Williams, James McAtee, Xaver Schlager, Ola Aina, Dan Ndoye, Morgan Gibbs-White, Liam Delap
Tottenham Team News: De Zerbi Unleashes Attacking Firepower
Roberto de Zerbi’s Tottenham response to their early season woes is an emphatic shift towards attacking impetus. Their deadline day moves, bringing Mykhaylo Mudryk on loan from Chelsea and Tosin Adarabioyo permanently, showcase a mix of immediate impact and long-term defensive bolstering. Mudryk, the electrifying winger, starts on the bench, offering a potent weapon to be unleashed in the second half. His pace and directness could be game-changing.
The three changes in the starting lineup are equally telling. Destiny Udogie’s return adds a crucial dynamic presence at left-back, his overlapping runs and defensive tenacity essential. Savio, recovering from a muscle problem, slots straight into the attack, his creativity and flair expected to unlock defenses. And in midfield, Conor Gallagher’s tireless energy and box-to-box prowess replace Archie Gray, adding steel and forward thrust. Andy Robertson’s absence at left-back, along with Mateus Fernandes, suggests De Zerbi is prioritizing a more aggressive, front-foot approach. The midfield pairing of Sandro Tonali and Rodrigo Bentancur will be crucial in dictating tempo and supplying the formidable front three of Mathys Tel, Savio, and Omar Marmoush. This lineup screams attack, aiming to overwhelm Forest with relentless pressure and quality.
Tottenham XI: Antonín Kinsky, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Pedro Porro, Sandro Tonali, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mathys Tel, Conor Gallagher, Sávio, Omar Marmoush
Game Highlights: A Rollercoaster at the City Ground
The opening whistle ignited an immediate, ferocious tempo. Forest, buoyed by the raucous home support, pressed high, with Liam Delap showing glimpses of his raw power. The first real chance fell to Tottenham in the 12th minute, as Savio’s dazzling footwork created space for a shot that Matz Sels acrobatically tipped over the bar. Forest responded with a counter, Morgan Gibbs-White weaving through the Spurs midfield before his through ball for Dan Ndoye was just cut out by the alert Micky van de Ven.
The deadlock was broken in the 28th minute, much to the delight of the home crowd. A swift Forest move saw Neco Williams deliver a pinpoint cross from the right wing, finding Liam Delap who rose highest between two defenders to power a header past Kinsky. The City Ground erupted; Glasner’s gamble on his record signing had paid off spectacularly! Tottenham, stung, pushed for an equalizer. Pedro Porro began to maraud forward, and his venomous long-range effort in the 39th minute forced Sels into another fantastic save, pushing the ball wide of the post. Despite Tottenham’s late pressure, Forest held their slender lead into halftime, their belief visibly growing.
De Zerbi clearly had strong words at the break. Tottenham emerged with renewed intensity, pushing higher and quicker. The introduction of Mykhaylo Mudryk in the 55th minute for Omar Marmoush immediately injected electric pace down the left flank. And it was Mudryk who played a pivotal role in the equalizer just ten minutes later. A blistering run saw him skip past Murillo, before he cut the ball back to the edge of the box where Conor Gallagher arrived late to smash a first-time shot past Sels. 1-1, and the momentum had swung decisively.
The game then opened up into a frantic end-to-end affair. Forest, not content with a draw, pushed for a winner. James McAtee started to influence the game more, and his neat pass found Ndoye, whose curling effort from just inside the box flew agonizingly wide in the 78th minute. But it was Tottenham who landed the decisive blow in the 89th minute. A corner from Bentancur was flicked on by Van de Ven, falling to Mathys Tel at the back post. The young forward calmly side-footed the ball home, silencing the City Ground and sparking pandemonium in the Spurs dugout. Forest threw everything forward in injury time, but it was too little, too late. Tottenham had completed the comeback, snatching victory from the jaws of a frustrating draw.
Where to watch Forest v Spurs: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Saturday is at 15:00 BST (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT). This match is not being shown live in the UK.
Here’s the full list of Premier League international broadcasters.
Prediction: Spurs Edge a Thriller, But Forest Show Promise
This match served as a microcosm of the early season for both clubs: Forest, full of fight and showing flashes of brilliance, but ultimately lacking the composure to see out a result. Tottenham, despite their earlier struggles, demonstrated the depth and quality to grind out a victory, particularly with game-changers like Mudryk off the bench. Roberto de Zerbi will breathe a sigh of relief, knowing this hard-fought win could be the catalyst his Spurs side desperately needed to kickstart their campaign. For Oliver Glasner, the heartbreak will sting, but the performance, especially Liam Delap’s immediate impact, offers tangible hope. The final score, 2-1 to Tottenham, reflects a dramatic turnaround, with Spurs’ individual quality eventually shining through.