Frank expecting ‘very difficult’ test for Tottenham against Forest

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is anticipating an extremely tough test as his team go up against Sean Dyche's Nottingham Forest in their next Premier League fixture.

Spurs have struggled to find consistency in the league this season, occupying 11th place in the standings ahead of the weekend’s action.

They ended a five-game winless run in the top-flight last time out with a 2-0 win over Brentford, while they also beat Slavia Prague 3-0 in the Champions League.

Dyche has won just two of his 17 Premier League games against Spurs (D5 L10), with both of those victories coming with Burnley (2-1 February 2019, 1-0 February 2022).

However, Frank anticipates a tough task at the City Ground for his Spurs side, who are looking to close the gap on the top four.

“I guess you've seen Sean Dyche's teams over the years. Are they easy or difficult to play against? Difficult. Very difficult,” said Frank.

“I expect a very, very difficult game against a team that's managed by a good colleague, a friend of mine in the game. 

“And every single time I see his team, everything I'm analysing, they're extremely competitive. Then they play home. That's a difficult place to go.

“So, I expect a tough, tough game. I think we are in a fine place, not an exceptional place, but I think we're in a fine place. I think we've been good away from home. I think we've been very competitive.”

Recent wins over Leeds United, Liverpool and Wolves have seen Forest climb out of the bottom three, though they have lost two of their last three league outings.

However, after a 3-0 defeat at Everton last week, Forest's confidence was boosted by a 2-1 win over Utrecht in the Europa League.

That result saw them move up to 11th in the league phase of the competition, just two points off the automatic last 16 places with two games to go.

Dyche believes Forest's win in the Netherlands was rewarding due to the squad management that is required with the schedule and players returning from injury.

“I’m pleased with the squad,” said Dyche after the win over Utrecht.

“We’re managing so many different things at the minute with players returning from injury, so we’re trying to get the right outcome while getting players fit and ready.

“We had real control of the game overall; being away in Europe isn’t easy. It was a super goal and I’m really pleased for our fans.

“I’m very pleased with the players and the result, and long may it continue. I’m pleased for everyone concerned.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nottingham Forest – Elliot Anderson

Anderson had made more line-breaking passes in the opponent’s half than any other player in the Premier League this season (90).

The England international has scored and assisted once in the league this season, but he has created the most chances for his side in the competition (25).

Tottenham – Richarlison

Richarlison has been involved in more Premier League goals than any other Tottenham player this season (eight – six goals, two assists).

The Brazilian has had a hand in 18 goals (17 goals, one assist) in his last 24 league starts for Spurs.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Having lost six consecutive Premier League games against Spurs between 1998 and 2024, Forest did the league double against them last season.

And Spurs have not won any of their five Premier League away games when conceding against Forest (D1 L4), with all three of their victories at the City Ground being to nil.

However, only bottom side Wolves (nine) have failed to score in more different league games than Forest this season (8). But when they do manage to find the net, Forest are unbeaten in their last 11 league games (W6 D5) since a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in April.

Only Crystal Palace have won more Premier League away games (five) and points (16) than Spurs this season (four wins, 14 points), while the north London side are also the only team to have scored in all of their games on the road so far this term.

Dyche’s next Premier League defeat will be his 153rd in the competition, putting him joint seventh on the list of most managerial defeats in the competition alongside Arsene Wenger, albeit the Frenchman has managed 488 more matches (828) in the competition than Dyche (340).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nottingham Forest – 35.2%

Draw – 26.0%

Tottenham – 38.8%