Tottenham predicted line-up vs Nottingham Forest: £40m star ruled out as Spurs sweat over Eric Dier

Tottenham will be aiming to build on their hugely impressive win over Newcastle United last weekend when they come up against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Friday night. Spurs brushed aside the Magpies with relative ease, cantering to a 4-1 win on home turf, and ending a run of four matches without a top flight win.

The result left Ange Postecoglou's men fifth in the table, just three points off the top four, and seven points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. A win on their travels at the City Ground could also open up a six point gap between themselves and Manchester United, who are immediately beneath them in sixth.

For their part, Forest drew 1-1 with Wolves in their last outing to end a losing streak of their own, but Steve Cooper's men still find themselves in the midst of a rotten run of form, and haven't won a match since they beat Aston Villa at the beginning of November. As a consequence, they have slipped to 16th in the table, and are just five points clear of the relegation zone.

But how will both sides line up in Nottingham on Friday evening? We've taken a look at their respective team news and predicted XIs below...

Tottenham Team News

Tottenham are still set to be without a number of key players for Friday's match, with several first team names expected to be sidelined until the new year. At the back, Eric Dier is battling a groin problem, while Micky van de Ven is out of action as a consequence of a hamstring injury sustained against Chelsea. Young defender Ashley Phillips is also set to be ruled out until January.

Further forward, James Maddison is still some way off a return, while Rodrigo Bentancur is set to be on the treatment table until the beginning of February due to an ankle problem. Out wide, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, and Manor Solomon are also facing extended absences. Spurs' only other notable concern is understudy goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman, who is set to be missing for an extended period after suffering an ankle injury.

Tottenham Predicted XI

Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie; Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma; Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski, Son Heung-min; Richarlison.

Nottingham Forest Team News

As for Forest, their injury list is relatively short, but they could still be without a number of key players on Friday. Former Tottenham defender Serge Aurier may have to wait until Boxing Day before making his comeback from a calf problem, while star striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who started the campaign with four goals in 10 Premier League outings, is set to be out until February with a groin complaint.

Forest's only other doubt is 21-year-old defender Murillo. The Brazilian is understood to be suffering from a muscle injury, and while he is expected to be fit in time for Friday's clash, there are still lingering concerns.

Nottingham Forest Predicted XI

Matt Turner; Willy Boly, Felipe, Moussa Niakhite; Neco Williams, Danilo, Orel Mangala, Cheikhou Kouyate, Harry Toffolo; Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White.