Premier League: Conte Needs to Deliver as His Seat Gets Warmer

Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest

After being eliminated by AC Milan in their Champions League tie, Tottenham now only have the Premier League to focus on.

Tottenham are clinging to the fourth spot in the English top-flight standings with 45 points, and they may still save their season by finishing in the top four.

Next up for them are Nottingham Forest, an opponent they cannot take for granted because they’re fighting for their safety away from the drop zone.

Talking Points

Futures in limbo as Tottenham endure another trophyless campaign

Now that they’re only competing on one front, Tottenham are aiming to secure the final Champions League spot for next season.

And it looks like they’re on their way because of their recent run of Premier League 2023 results, but they cannot take their foot off the gas pedal with Liverpool and Newcastle lurking.

There’s enormous pressure on Tottenham to nail down the final Champions League spot because of their potential departures after this term. Conte’s position with the club is uncertain, and other teams are interested in bringing in Harry Kane via transfer.

Antonio Conte made the painful admission that he might be sacked soon by the club since it has been a tough 2022-23 campaign for them. The Italian’s current deal with Spurs expires this summer.

Kane is easily Tottenham’s best player this season, with 20 goals and four assists, but many are saying that he should seek a move elsewhere.

The Three Lions captain has now been linked to Manchester United, especially after they ended their own trophy drought that lasted for six years by bringing home the 2022-23 EFL Cup.

Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in Kane, but Tottenham are expected to drive a hard bargain for the Englishman’s transfer.

Against Nottingham Forest this weekend, Antonio Conte is likely to rotate his squad, as he may consider putting in Richarlison, Davinson Sanchez, and Pedro Porro into the starting XI. Top scorers Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son are to lead their frontline as usual.

Nottingham Forest need several players back

Nottingham Forest haven’t won in a while because they’re thin both at the back and up front. Chris Wood and Emmanuel Dennis are the only fit centre-forwards, while Joe Worrall and Felipe are the only centre-half options.

Attacking midfielder Brennan Johnson has been the bright spot for Nottingham Forest because he’s their top scorer with nine goals and two assists so far this year.

Steve Cooper is hoping that he’ll have a healthier squad to choose from ahead of their game against Spurs, and he might get his wish because Taiwo Awoniyi, Cheikhou Kouyate, and Moussa Niakhate are back in training.

Awoniyi is the team’s second-leading scorer with five goals, and his return would alleviate the load on Johnson’s shoulders, while Kouyate and Niakhate are towering defenders who could give Worrall and Felipe the night off.

History

Tottenham won their last three league games against Nottingham Forest, including their reverse fixture in August, where Harry Kane’s brace secured a 2-0 victory for Spurs at City Ground.

But following their loss in their August game, Nottingham Forest had their revenge when they knocked Tottenham out of the EFL Cup third round with a scoreline of 2-0, as Renan Lodi and Jesse Lingard found the back of the net in the second half.

Should the Spurs beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday, it would mark the first time that they’ve beaten them in four league games in a row since a run between August 1963 and December 1964.

Antonio Conte’s side has won 28 of their last 31 Premier League home games against newly promoted sides (D2, L1), with their only loss in that run coming against Wolves in 2018-19.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League 2023 odds favour Tottenham, as they’re installed to win at 1.42, while Nottingham Forest are the underdogs at 6.00, and a draw is at 4.40 in the 1×2 market.

On paper, Tottenham should be able to win this one at home, but Nottingham Forest have beaten them in their previous encounter, making this a tougher call than usual.

Fatigue will also play a role for Tottenham since they only have three days to prepare, while Nottingham Forest are enjoying their one-week rest. But what we’re sure of is that we’re going to see a bunch of goals from this fixture. So, going for Total Goal 2-3 at 1.98 is your best bet, while Over 2.50 at 1.76 is another one to think about.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.