Spurs Expected To See Off Injury-Ravaged Forest

Tottenham Hotspur`s appearance in the Europa League has seen them receive a bye into the third round of the Capital One Cup, though they face a tricky proposition in the shape of Championship table toppers Nottingham Forest tonight (24th September, 7:45). Stuart Pearce`s men are eight games unbeaten in the league and have so far turned over both League 2 Tranmere Rovers and Championship rivals Huddersfield Town away in their Capital One Cup run. Michail Antonio`s 12th minute header from Chris Burke`s well-placed cross was enough to see off Tranmere at Brunton Park in round one, the team going down to ten men after Michael Mancienne`s sending off for a late tackle on Jason Koumas. In the second round, the Terrier`s James Vaughan`s second half own-goal inspired Forest to a 2-0 victory, Henri Lansbury scoring a low strike only ten minutes after the netting of the first.

In spite of this, Mauricio Pochettino`s Spurs are the 4/6 (Totesport) favourites to bounce back from their home defeat at West Brom and progress through to the fourth round draw. Forest are best priced 5/1 (bet365) to record their third successive away triumph of the tournament so far, whilst the game ending a tie after 90 minutes can be backed at 7/2 with betfair.

There is expected to be a number of changes for the White Hart Lane outfit with manager Pochettino looking to rest key players ahead of the side`s North London derby with rivals Arsenal on Saturday (27th September). Spurs` number one Hugh Lloris is expected to take to the bench for the first time this season, being replaced by Swansea signing Michel Vorm. The £5 million transfer is set to make his debut for the club, being brought in to provide competition for Frenchman Lloris and 43-year-old Premier League stalwart Brad Friedel. Both Betvictor and william hill are offering 8/1 on the Dutchman keeping a clean sheet and his team scoring a solitary goal down the other end, whilst it`s 17/2 (Betvictor) for Spurs to win 2-0.

Looking to grab the goals for the Whites is Roberto Soldado, currently warming the bench after a lacklustre first season in London. The former Spain international bagged six goals last season and has converted one chance this time round in a 2-1 comeback against AEL Limassol in Europa League qualifying. Profligate Soldado is 11/4 (betfred, ladbrokes, Totesport) to hit the back of the net at any time.

Forest will also have to make a number of changes as Stuart Pearce laments the growing queue outside the City Ground`s physiotherapy room. Captain Chris Cohen will be out for the long-haul after picking up a cruciate ligament injury for the third time in his career. The 27-year-old midfielder is set to be sidelined for around nine months.

`Our focus, as a club, has to be to make sure that he comes back as a Premier League player.` Former Manchester City boss Pearce told the Nottingham Post. Cohen joins defenders Jack Hobbs and Jack Hunt and strikers Andy Reid and Matty Fryatt on the sidelines. Also expected to be a long-term absentee, Jack Hobbs is yet to fully recover from an ankle injury suffered last season, coming a-cropper again in the team`s one all draw with local rivals Derby County. The 26-year-old is currently waiting on specialist advice. Luckily for the Championship high-flyers, however, Hunt (ankle), Fryatt and Reid (both groin) are all expected to be fit in the next couple of weeks.

With a plethora of enforced changes for the away side, Tottenham do look good value for their win. Pochettino`s men are 18/5 (Betvictor, ladbrokes) to win by a margin of two goals, perhaps the best bet of the match.

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24/09/2014     © Frixo 2026