“Sunday is one of the biggest games Tottenham have played. The future of the club is at stake.”
Paul Merson knows all too well how important the game against Nottingham Forest is to Tottenham’s chances of remaining in the Premier League. Igor Tudor and his team know that too.
Both teams are hovering above the relegation zone with a one-point difference, and the club, which should be the pillars of the top league, is in danger of falling to the second division.
Sunday, March 22, 2:00 p.m.
2:15pm kickoff
Why are games so important?
“If they get relegated, I don’t know if they’ll come back. Everyone will want to beat Tottenham,” Melson continued while speaking on the Premier League Show.
“I see this game as big as the European game against Manchester United (last May).”
Since that famous night in Bilbao, there have been a total of 20 defeats in all competitions, 14 of which were in the league. A dangerous spiral has now turned fears of relegation into a harsh reality.
A win for Forest would see them leapfrog Spurs in the table, while a win for West Ham at Aston Villa would see the Europa League holders drop to the bottom three.
The odds of the unthinkable happening for Spurs now sit at 12.3% using Opta’s supercomputer, following an all-time high of 18% before Tudor’s Tottenham showed signs of taking shape.
For the first time in a while, the Spurs have a chance to lay the foundations and catch their breath.
Richarlison’s late equalizer at Anfield gave them a point, and although their energetic performance in defeating Atlético in the Champions League in midweek fell short of a place in the quarter-finals, it did inspire some hope and optimism from the stands at a crucial time in the season.
Wednesday’s first win for Tudor, and second since the new year, is a timely boost, but the club will now be tasked with carrying their fragile momentum into what can only be described as a cup final.
Can the home crowd make an impact again?
The stadium played a big role in Wednesday’s victory. The home crowd cheered the players on, and the injured team responded.
Randall Kolo Muani converted chances, Matthijs Ter looked threatening throughout, Radu Dragusin looked solid in his first Champions League appearance and Xavi Simons looked confident both on the ball and in front of goal.
Coach Tudor said after the team’s defeat in Europe, “Even if we were eliminated, I think the supporters would have been proud of the team.” “We hope this continues on Sunday as we need them for important games.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Igor Tudor admitted he had mixed feelings after his first win as Tottenham manager.
The players will have to respond to the reception and contribute more to the supporters than ever against Forest. This, coupled with a performance that suggests Spurs can overcome pressure and scrutiny, could provide inspiration on the day.
No one expected them to be able to snatch a point from Liverpool after suffering six consecutive defeats, including a humiliating 5-2 defeat to Atletico in the first leg of their European matches. Even less expected was the come-from-behind draw against Manchester City in early February, but Forest achieved it too.
Spurs go into the match against Forest, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as favorites to take the three points, but anything less should be deemed unacceptable in what could be the decisive game in the battle for relegation.
They will need to clean up their home record in the Premier League, the worst of all 20 teams this season with just two wins and 10 points.
If they do poorly against teams currently in the bottom half of the standings, the pressure will increase even more. Out of these 13 games, Spurs have won just 1.23 points per game, the fourth lowest, with four wins, four draws and five losses.
Defeats against Crystal Palace, Fulham, West Ham and Forest and draws with Burnley and Sunderland are also included in that list, but Sunday’s game does not add to that list.
They need an audience to go against what the Spurs’ record and numbers show.
What will boost the Spurs other than the crowd?
Selection woes are a problem for most managers, but for the Spurs manager it’s a welcome new problem.
The club’s injury problems are well-documented and are an issue that transcends both the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium season and the head coach.
But those problems are easing for Tudor, and for the first time since taking office on February 14, he has options to fall back on.
Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogi and Cristian Romero all returned for the win against Atlético.
Romero started this game after recovering from a concussion, but the other two players came off the bench. Conor Gallagher was also able to appear in the second half after recovering from illness.
Tudor happened to find success with a 4-4-2 formation, supported by the up-and-coming midfield partnership of Archie Gray and Papu Matar Sarr.
With Micky van de Ven and Romero at the heart of the defence, and Dominic Solanke likely to return from a minor issue that kept him out against Atletico, Spurs have the backbone for a team that has been largely ineffective throughout a difficult season.
The foundation on which Spurs’ mini-resurgence was built
The aforementioned resurgence in the last two games included changes at center back, front and outside wide, but one outfield player remained the same. Gray and Searle partnership in the middle of the park.
Expect to see the same duo of Gray and Sarle on Sunday, although Gallagher and Bergvall return.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge explains why Igor Tudor can take a lot of positives from Wednesday’s Champions League exit ahead of this weekend’s crucial clash with Nottingham Forest.
There was a standing ovation from the home crowd on Wednesday, and Atletico midfielder Marcus Llorente echoed those words after running up to Gray to shake his hand after a brilliant performance against a notoriously tricky team.
The 20-year-old recorded 57 touches, 88 per cent passing accuracy, one assist and two chances on the night. It was a comprehensive performance that justified the £40m the club paid to sign him from Leeds United in 2024.
Sarr strengthened his defensive support as a midfield partner and followed up well, recording two clearances, two blocks, three interceptions, and one tackle. It’s a free duo that fans expect and want to see more of.
Archie Gray and Papu Matar Sarr’s Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid stats
Gray, who was often used out of position as a means of easing tensions that paralyzed the team, is now shining in his preferred position and the head coach is eyeing a partnership with Sarr.
“He’s a guy. He knows the position where he can play anywhere, so I think this position in the middle is probably the best position for him,” Tudor said.
“But he continues to play the right way and in a good way. Always making the right choices, being humble and having the legs to do it is a combination of physical and mental qualities.”
“He needs to keep doing this. He is still young and needs new confirmation every day (of what he can do).
“With Papu, I’ve been watching them a lot. There’s quality between these two players. They really made a difference in the last two games.”
The foundation is weak, but Spurs cannot afford to waste an opportunity to build on that foundation.
A “cup final” or important match where a six-point victory is mandatory. No matter how you describe it, just three points is good enough for a team that shouldn’t be in this position.
Watch Tottenham v Nottingham Forest live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 2pm on Sunday. Kickoff at 2:15 p.m.
