Tottenham gained a welcome victory over Newcastle on Sunday just as it seemed the wheels were coming off after an entertaining and successful start to the season under new boss Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs had taken just one point from their five games before the 4-1 win over the Magpies and confidence should have been restored to the camp despite the need to cope with a host of injury problems.
Their next outing on Friday is at Nottingham Forest, who have claimed just one win in their last 12 league matches and the Tricky Trees will be looking to bounce back from consecutive home losses to Brighton and Everton.
- Tottenham to win and Both Teams to Score
- Cristian Romero to be shown a card
- Brennan Johnson to score at anytime
Spurs Look Too Strong For Forest
It has been a rollercoaster ride for Tottenham fans so far this season, but there will be hopes that they will now be in for a period of calm after their 4-1 win against the Magpies.
Tottenham had lost four and drawn one of their five games before that victory despite scoring the first goal of the match on each occasion. However, the nerves were extinguished when they scored a second goal against Eddie Howe’s team and the City Ground looks a good place to build upon that success.
Forest’s home form was the main reason why they secured their top-flight status last season after coming up through the Championship playoffs.
Liverpool and Arsenal both left without any points last season, but Steve Cooper’s side have won just three times this season and have not been able to repeat their previous heights so far this term.
Both teams have scored in Tottenham’s last seven games and the London outfit are prone to leaving the odd gap at the back so Forest can contribute to the scoreline, but it seems likely that Spurs will inflict a third successive home defeat on the Tricky Trees.
SPURS TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Romero’s Discipline An Issue
Many of Tottenham's recent issues were caused by problems at the back with Postecoglou forced to shuffle the pack due to injuries and suspensions.
That included the absence of his best defender Cristian Romero, who was sent off in the 4-1 defeat against Chelsea, which ended Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the campaign.
He missed defeats against Wolves and Aston Villa and was booked upon his return from suspension in the 2-1 loss to West Ham, so there is a good chance the Argentinian could fall foul of the referee once again.
Romero was fortunate to escape punishment for an ugly tackle on Newcastle’s Callum Wilson on Sunday and it would not be a surprise if he again received a caution.
CRISTIAN ROMERO TO BE SHOWN A CARD
Johnson Can Shine Against Former Club
Richarlison grabbed the headlines at the weekend with two goals and Heung-Min Son has reached double figures after netting a penalty against Newcastle, but one player to keep an eye on is former Forest forward Brennan Johnson.
The City Ground youth product has benefitted from Tottenham’s injury issues to establish himself in Postecoglou’s starting line-up and he was unfortunate on a couple of occasions not to net against Newcastle.
Johnson scored his first goal for Spurs when he grabbed the opener in their 2-1 defeat to Wolves last month and can be expected to raise his game further against his former employees.
It is a big night for him as he returns to his home town and the Welsh international is capable of adding to that Molineux strike.
BRENNAN JOHNSON TO SCORE ANYTIME
