Nottingham Forest v Tottenham predictions: Hosts set for reality check

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Nottingham Forest v Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 4.30pm

Best bet

Tottenham to win & over 2.5 goals
1pt 6-5 bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power

Team news

Nottingham Forest
Moussa Niakhate and Omar Richards are out while Jack Colback is a doubt.

Tottenham
Spurs are likely to be without Cristian Romero and Oliver Skipp. Lucas Moura and Bryan Gil face fitness tests.

Match preview

Nottingham Forest fans can be forgiven for dreaming big following the club's scattergun spending this summer but the Tricky Trees could be grounded by a strong Tottenham side led by Harry Kane in their first big challenge of the season at the City Ground.

Upon their return to the Premier League, Forest have splashed out nearly £150 million on 15 new players and more could follow before the transfer window shuts on Thursday.

And so far the introduction of new players to the starting lineup has yielded decent results for Steve Cooper's side, who responded to an opening defeat to Newcastle with victory against West Ham in their first top-flight home fixture in 23 years.

They also came close to maximum points at Everton last time out as Brennan Johnson's 81st-minute strike was cancelled out by Demarai Gray seven minutes later.

Four points from three games - two of which have been on the road - is a decent return for a newly-promoted outfit but it is very early days and Forest are still rated 6-4 for relegation this campaign.

And on Sunday afternoon, Forest fans will get their first insight into how their club will handle one of the Premier League's so-called 'Big Six'.

Unfortunately for them, the first of those sides they face are a Tottenham team touted by some as dark horses in the title race.

Tottenham's performances in their first three matches have been underwhelming - they found themselves a goal behind against Southampton, were second best away to Chelsea and lost the shot count 11-20 in their laboured 1-0 win at home to Wolves last time out.

But despite being nowhere near their best, Spurs have still picked up seven points from their first three games.

That should fill Tottenham fans with confidence given that getting results when playing poorly is characteristic of a top side and is something they have been unable to do at times.

Manager Antonio Conte will want to see performances to match results as soon as possible and at the City Ground his team should get more chances to show their class.

Forest's approach of playing with a back three is suited to the Premier League but in their first three league games, they have allowed their opponents plenty of chances.

If they do the same against a Tottenham side spearheaded by Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski and Kane, who has netted in both of the team's last two matches, they could open themselves up for a hammering.

With a home crowd behind them, though, Forest should have chances of their own, especially given Cristian Romero is likely to be absent for the visitors again, and backing Spurs to win and over 2.5 goals could be a solid strategy.

Key stat

Forest have allowed their opponents a total of 61 shots in their three Premier League matches.

Inside info

Nottingham Forest

Penalty taker Brennan Johnson
Assist ace Brennan Johnson
Set-piece aerial threat Joe Worrall
Card magnet Joe Worrall

Tottenham

Penalty taker Harry Kane
Assist ace Harry Kane
Set-piece aerial threat Harry Kane
Card magnet Rodrigo Bentancur

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