Nottingham Forest will be hoping they can maintain a cup run as they welcome North London club Tottenham Hotspur to town in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Both teams have been no strangers to drama this season, with Tottenham rallying to come from behind twice in recent weeks to win in injury time, while Forest did the same this past weekend as Matthias Jorgensen's 96th minute own snatched them a point against Brentford. The top flight's new boys also caused shockwaves last month as they stunned Liverpool with a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Taiwo Awoniyi.

The two sides have already met this season, when the newly promoted side welcomed Spurs back in August, with the visitors coming away with three points on the day in a 2-0 victory where Harry Kane hit the back of the net twice. Forest currently sit bottom of the table but have started picking up points with one win in their last five, however have only lost twice, meanwhile their opponents sit fourth in the league, but have started to slip somewhat with only two wins in their last five.

With their commitments in Europe, Spurs are entering the tournament at this stage, while the hosts had to fend off League Two Grimsby Town in the previous round, a brace from Sam Surridge as well as a goal from Ryan Yates saw Forest through to the next round, the scoreline could be deemed flattering with those being the only three shots on target while their opposition only mustered five of their 23 shots on target.

Both teams have history in this competition, with both having won the trophy on four different occasions, Tottenham's last victory coming as recently as 2008 while Forest last won the tournament in 1990.

Team News

Nottingham Forest

The hosts find themselves without three of their new signings with all three coming at the back, right back Giulian Biancone has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Omar Richards and Moussa Niakhate are not expected to return until after the World Cup, the pair have been out of action since the summer. Jack Colback is unlikely to start this fixture, but is expected to be given a return to the lineup following his injury, a cameo from the bench could be seen for him.

With the final game before the World Cup coming up this weekend and the side sitting bottom of the league, it would not be surprising to see a somewhat weakened side with youthful players being offered a chance to showcase themselves if they were to focus their attentions elsewhere. 

Tottenham Hotspur

The visitors also find themselves with at least two players on the sidelines injured with new signing Richarlison returning to training this week from a calf injury sustained last month, an appearance from the bench could be likely for the Brazilian. Cristian Romero, should be fit for action next week just in time for the World Cup. Heung Ming Son is also expected to miss out as he walked off the pitch injured in last weeks Champions League match in Marseille, Antonio Conte has since confirmed the injury to be a fractured eye socket, which the 30 year old South Korean international received surgery for. 

Again, with this being the final game, a weakened side could be expected, with fringe players possibly being offered chances, however, many expect Antonio Conte to be the man to finally bring some trophies to the club, so some star players could be dropped into the match day squad in a hope to deliver this to the club.

Djed Spence spent the season on loan at Nottingham Forest last year and could make his first start for his new employers Tottenham here, while Serge Aurier is also expected to make his first appearance against his former club since being released last year.

Predicted Lineups:

Nottingham Forest:

Wayne Hennessey, Serge Aurier, Joe Worrall, Wilfried Boly, Renan Lodi, Orel Mangala, Lewis O'Brien, Ryan Yates, Brennan Johnson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Jesse Lingard

Tottenham Hotspur:

Fraser Forster, Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence, Rodrigo Bentancur, Oliver Skipp, Yves Bissouma, Ryan Sessegnon, Lucas Moura, Harry Kane

Key Players

Wayne Hennessey

The Welsh shot stopper will be expected to put in a performance if the hosts are to progress through to the next round here, especially if England captain Harry Kane is to start this one. Currently, on loan Dean Henderson is the number one choice having picked up two man of the match awards in his 14 appearances so far this season. However, Hennessey started in the second round, so could be seen between the posts for this round also. Having joined only this summer, the 35 year old has only made the one appearance against Grimsby Town where he kept a clean sheet.

Djed Spence

The youngster is yet to start for his new club but could be given it against the side he helped guide to the top flight last season scoring four goals in his 42 games for them. Spence guided this Forest team to the quarter finals of the FA Cup last season, in a run that saw them beat East Midlands rivals Leicester City, as well as Tottenham's noisy North London neighbours Arsenal.

Match Details

Where will the match be played?

The match will take place at the Nottingham Forest Football Club.

What time is the match?

Kick-off is Wednesday, November 9th at 7:45PM GMT.

How can you watch the match?

This match has not been selected for broadcast, however goals can be seen as they go in on Sky Sports News' studio coverage, as well as highlights being made available after the match.

 

 

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