Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI vs Nottingham Forest: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI vs Nottingham Forest: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup Tottenham Team News vs Nottingham Forest: Savio Boost, Kudus Return and Maddison Concern Tottenham head to the City Ground on Saturday still looking for their first Premier League points of the season. Two games, two heavy defeats, and the noise is already growing around Roberto De Zerbi. That is what happens when a club spends more than £300 million in one summer and still looks fragile in all the familiar areas. Spurs were beaten comfortably by Brentford and Newcastle, and there has been little to suggest the problems of last season have been fixed. Survival on the final day was supposed to be the bottom of the cycle. So far, it looks more like a continuation. Savio and Kudus hand Spurs needed lift There is at least some better news for De Zerbi before the trip to Nottingham Forest. Savio is back after a muscle injury, which matters because Tottenham badly lacked sharpness and incision in the defeat to Newcastle. The £85 million signing from Manchester City made an immediate impact off the bench against Charlton, scoring and assisting on his debut, before being left out of the squad last time after picking up a problem in training. Mohammed Kudus is another positive. He returned from the bench last weekend for his first appearance since January after a serious quad injury. Spurs need his athleticism and direct running, and they need it quickly. Photo IMAGO There is also progress with Dejan Kulusevski. The Sweden international has returned to full team training after a long lay-off caused by a complicated kneecap injury. Tottenham will be careful with him, and understandably so after two surgeries, but his recovery is finally moving in the right direction. Maddison issue leaves creative gap The main concern is James Maddison. He missed the Newcastle game after suffering a shoulder fracture against Brentford on the opening weekend, and he remains a major doubt for this one. That matters because Spurs are already short on rhythm and control in advanced areas. Fitness has been a recurring problem across the squad, and De Zerbi has already admitted the club’s pre-season tour left his players physically short for the start of the campaign. That is not an excuse, it is a reality, and right now it is affecting team selection every week. Late signings add depth for Forest trip Deadline day arrivals Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo are available after being registered in time. Mudryk, however, is not ready for a full workload. He has not played a competitive match since November 2024 following a doping ban, and De Zerbi says he can only manage around 30 minutes against Forest. One player who will not be involved is Richarlison. The Brazil forward has been left out of Tottenham’s Premier League squad after making clear that he wants to leave. Spurs are now trying to find a solution, with interest reported from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Tottenham predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest Kinsky, Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Tonali, Fernandes, Savio, Marmoush, Tel. Doubt: Maddison. Injured: Simons, Odobert, Kulusevski. Kick-off is 3pm BST on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the City Ground. For Tottenham, the equation is simple. Better signs are welcome, but they need points now.