The stakes could not be higher as Tottenham Hotspur prepare to return to Premier League action this Sunday. In what many are calling a true “six-pointer,” Spurs find themselves locked in a desperate battle for survival against their direct relegation rivals, Nottingham Forest.
The math is simple but terrifying for both fanbases: Tottenham currently sit just one point ahead of Forest and the dreaded drop zone. With West Ham occupying the final relegation spot, the loser of this weekend’s clash will likely find themselves plunged into a very dangerous position as the season enters its final stretch.
For interim manager Igor Tudor, the task of securing a vital win is made infinitely harder by a medical room that remains overcrowded. As it stands, there are twelve players officially ruled out across both squads, with another four facing late fitness tests.
While a spirited draw against Liverpool and a confidence-boosting win over Atletico Madrid in Europe have given Spurs fans a glimmer of hope, the sheer volume of injuries continues to threaten the club’s stability.
| Status | Player | Team | Injury/Notes |
| Out | Wilson Odobert | Tottenham | ACL Rupture (Season) |
| Out | James Maddison | Tottenham | Knee (Long-term) |
| Out | Dejan Kulusevski | Tottenham | Knee (Possible Season) |
| Out | Mohammed Kudus | Tottenham | Quad Tendon (April) |
| Out | Rodrigo Bentancur | Tottenham | Hamstring (Late March) |
| Out | Yves Bissouma | Tottenham | Muscular |
| Out | Ben Davies | Tottenham | Ankle Surgery (April) |
| Out | Lucas Bergvall | Tottenham | Ankle (April) |
| Out | John Victor | Nott’m Forest | Knee (Season) |
| Out | Nicolo Savona | Nott’m Forest | Knee Surgery |
| Out | Chris Wood | Nott’m Forest | Hamstring (April) |
| Out | Willy Boly | Nott’m Forest | Knee |
| Doubt | Dominic Solanke | Tottenham | “Small Problems” |
| Doubt | Joao Palhinha | Tottenham | Concussion/Fitness |
| Doubt | Stefan Ortega | Nott’m Forest | Late Fitness Test |
| Doubt | Jair Cunha | Nott’m Forest | Foot Injury |
The injury crisis at Tottenham has stripped the squad of almost its entire creative core. James Maddison remains a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury, and despite some positive signs in his rehabilitation, it is unlikely he will feature significantly before the end of the campaign.
Similarly, Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus are out until at least the end of the March international break, leaving the team lacking the attacking flair that defined their early-season form. The loss of Wilson Odobert to a ruptured ACL has only deepened the gloom, as the young winger was beginning to show real promise before his season was cruelly cut short.
In the defensive and midfield departments, the news is equally grim. Rodrigo Bentancur and Ben Davies are both recovering from surgeries, while Lucas Bergvall is not expected to return to full match fitness until April.
Perhaps most concerning for the upcoming Forest game is the status of Yves Bissouma, who missed the trip to Anfield with a muscular problem and is highly unlikely to be risked this weekend. Tudor will be desperately hoping that Joao Palhinha can pass his final fitness checks, as the midfielder’s physical presence is exactly what is needed for a high-tension relegation scrap.
The attacking burden may once again fall on Richarlison, especially with Dominic Solanke remaining a major doubt. Solanke missed the second leg against Atletico Madrid with what Tudor described as “small problems,” and his availability for Sunday remains a fifty-fifty call.
If he cannot lead the line, the partnership of Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani—who both impressed in recent outings—will be tasked with breaking down a stubborn Nottingham Forest defense.
Nottingham Forest arrives in North London with their own set of significant problems. They are missing key figures like Chris Wood, who is a vital focal point for their attack, and veteran defender Willy Boly.
Their manager, Pereira, has admitted that the squad is stretched thin, particularly following the early exit of Jair Cunha in their last match due to a foot injury. Forest also has the added complication of a Europa League fixture on Thursday night, which could lead to further fatigue or fresh injury concerns by the time Sunday arrives.
Despite the long list of missing names, the mood at Tottenham has turned surprisingly positive over the last week. The emergence of Archie Gray as a dominant force in midfield and the tactical flexibility shown by Igor Tudor have given the supporters something to cling to.
The draw at Liverpool proved that the squad has the “stomach for a fight,” and the victory over Atletico Madrid showed they still have the quality to beat top-tier opposition.
Sunday’s match will not be about beautiful football; it will be about resilience, discipline, and the ability to manage a high-pressure environment with a limited squad. For Tottenham, a win would create much-needed daylight between themselves and the bottom three, offering a path toward safety.
A loss, however, would make the “Doomsday scenario” feel very real. With twelve players watching from the stands, the players on the pitch will need to deliver the performance of their lives to ensure the club’s Premier League future remains intact.
