Oliver Glasner says he is “relaxed” about Nottingham Forest’s early-season struggles as his side prepare to host Tottenham in the Premier League.
Forest have collected only one point from their first two league matches in 2026-27. They began with a 1-0 defeat by Leeds United before drawing 2-2 with Liverpool last weekend.
Their difficult start also includes an EFL Cup exit in the second round, when they were beaten by Leeds. Glasner is still waiting for his first competitive victory since taking charge of the club.
Forest’s home record in the Premier League has also been a concern. They have won only one of their past 12 league matches at home, drawing seven and losing four. That sole victory came in April, when they defeated Burnley 4-1.
However, Glasner says his players must focus on their performance rather than the statistics surrounding their current run.
“The next opportunity is on Saturday. At the end, the approach is always the same – go out and win the game. Especially in front of your fans at home,” said Glasner.
“But sometimes, if you want it too much, it goes the opposite way. Play the best football we can play, and then we have the best chance to get the win.
“The most important thing is not to think about records too much in a positive or negative way. It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“I am quite relaxed about this negative record, and I hope you won’t have to ask me about it next time!”
Tottenham arrive at the City Ground also searching for their first win of the campaign. They are bottom of the Premier League after losing 3-0 to Brentford and 2-0 to Newcastle United in their opening two fixtures.
Richarlison has been left out of Tottenham’s Premier League squad as he considers a possible move to Trabzonspor. The club were nevertheless able to complete two further signings before the transfer deadline, including the loan arrival of Mykhailo Mudryk from Chelsea.
Mudryk previously worked with Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk and says he is looking forward to renewing that relationship.
“I’m so excited to reunite with Roberto De Zerbi. He’s my football father,” Mudryk told SPURSPLAY.
“I believe in him, I trust him. If he needs me, I’m always here. I know what he wants from me, and with him, I’m always feeling I’m improving.
“He can take out the best of you, and he puts you on the right way to develop your skills, your game, such a smart, offensive and dominant type of playing, which suits all attacking players.
“He demands from his players their best. That’s why you can play on your best qualities. I think he was such a crucial coach in my career, which embraced my potential, but not 100%. I think he knows how to do it even more.”
Players to watch
Nottingham Forest – Morgan Gibbs-White
Only Bruno Fernandes has been involved in more Premier League goals in 2026 than Morgan Gibbs-White. The Forest midfielder has contributed to 17 goals, scoring 13 and providing four assists.
His 13 goals are the highest total in the competition so far this calendar year.
Tottenham – Dominic Solanke
Dominic Solanke has played a part in six goals across four Premier League appearances against Forest at the City Ground, scoring four and assisting two.
That record includes the only senior hat-trick of his career so far, scored for Bournemouth in December 2023.
Head-to-head and match outlook
Forest have won their past four Premier League meetings with Tottenham, although they have never recorded five successive league victories against them.
Tottenham won 2-0 at the City Ground in both 2022-23 and 2023-24. Forest then won the next two meetings there, however, triumphing 1-0 in 2024-25 and 3-0 in 2025-26.
Tottenham are one of three Premier League teams yet to score in 2026-27, alongside Aston Villa and Coventry City. They have not gone three league matches without finding the net since November 2021.
They have also failed to score in their opening three league games of a season only once before, in 1974-75.
Glasner enjoyed a run of 12 Premier League matches without defeat with Crystal Palace between April and September 2025. Since October, though, only Scott Parker, with 18 defeats, has lost more Premier League games than Glasner’s 16.
Opta’s win probability gives Nottingham Forest a 39.5% chance of victory, compared with 33.4% for Tottenham. The likelihood of a draw is rated at 27.1%.
