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Nottingham Post

Sport

Bruna Reis

Three pundits agree about Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest prediction

Nottingham Forest Tottenham Forest Nottingham (Organization) Spurs Antonio Conte Paul Merson Chris Sutton Mark Lawrenson EPL

Pundits Chris Sutton, Paul Merson and Mark Lawrenson have all predicted Nottingham Forest's outcome at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Reds will be looking to return to winning ways after sharing the spoils against Everton in a 2-2 draw. Currently 14th-placed, a win could see Forest seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs, on the other hand, will be looking to rectify their form following two defeats, before getting knocked out of the Champions League earlier this week. Ahead of the clash, pundits are in agreement that Antonio Conte's men will manage to beat Forest.

Here is what the pundits have said about Saturday's game...

Sutton wrote in his BBC Sport column: "I am absolutely sick of Tottenham's inconsistency - the latest example of which came in their draw with AC Milan on Wednesday that saw them knocked out of Europe. Spurs defender Cristian Romero was an idiot to get himself sent off with a needless wild tackle - where is your discipline and team ethic when you need it? - But it was a dismal night for them all round.

"The worst thing about their performance was because there was so much at stake. They had already played a weakened team against Championship side Sheffield United in the FA Cup last week and gone out of that, which really annoyed a lot of their fans because they haven't won a trophy since they lifted the League Cup in 2008.

"I shouldn't be surprised though, because so many of their performances all season have been really poor, even when they've won - give or take the odd moment where they have played well and made people think they are heading in the right direction. That's not the case - there is a pattern with Spurs over the past few months when you look at their run of results where they win a couple, then lose a couple, or win one week and lose the next.

"That represents a really disappointing season for Tottenham and I think they have gone backwards. They lack a ball-playing midfielder and the boos from their fans after the Milan game showed what they think of the situation. Now Antonio Conte's side are only playing for fourth place, and for some pride after going three games without a win and going out of two competitions.

"But you know what that means. Yes, we will see a response from Spurs and they will probably win this one comfortably. If it happens, let's not pretend it will mean they have turned the corner. Forest have got the worst away record in the top flight with only one win, and six points in total, from 12 games. And Steve Cooper's side got beaten 4-0 by West Ham the last time they were on the road."

Sutton prediction: Tottenham 3-1 Nottingham Forest.

While Merson added: "Nottingham Forest are awful away from home. Unless they sort out their away form, they are in huge trouble. They need to start getting results on the road.

"Nottingham have earned just three points away from home this season. As a Premier League side, you've got to do better than that.

"Tottenham Hotspur fell to Wolves in their latest outing but they've got a great opportunity to bounce back and regain their confidence here."

Merson prediction: Tottenham 3-0 Nottingham Forest.

Lawrenson concluded: "Spurs were awful against AC Milan but they’ll beat Nottingham Forest. But you look at Spurs and you think, ‘What the hell’s going on?’

"On paper they’ve got a good side but Antonio Conte won’t be there next season and the players know that."

Lawrenson prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Nottingham Forest.