Nottingham Forest will be bidding to end a 29-year run when they play host to Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day.

Nuno Espirito Santo is currently spearheading one of Forest's best-ever Premier League campaigns against the odds.

The East Midlands outfit head into their showdown with Tottenham Hotspur sitting in fourth position in the standings, just four points adrift of second-placed Chelsea.

Standing in front of them over the Christmas and New Year period are further games against Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers that they will view as winnable.

However, if Forest are to commence the triple-header with maximum points, they will need to end a 29-year streak to do so.

© Imago

What run can Forest end?

Not since 1995 have Forest been able to record four successive victories in the Premier League, when they defeated Norwich City, Coventry City, Crystal Palace and Manchester City at the back end of 1994-95.

Forest concluded that campaign with a 13-match undefeated streak, seeing them finish in third position in the table and secure qualification for the UEFA Cup.

Their three triumphs in a row on this occasion have been against Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brentford respectively.

The Tricky Trees' points tally of 31 is their highest in a top-flight season since 1987-88, while they have already recorded as many wins (nine) as they did in each of the previous two campaigns.

© Imago

Forest's dismal record versus Spurs

Although Forest head into this fixture as the favourites, they have suffered defeat in each of their last six Premier League matches against this opponent.

That is extended to eight losses in 10 outings when taking other competitions into consideration, their only success since 1998 coming in a 2022 League Cup tie.

Spurs are also defending an incredible Boxing Day record, going unbeaten in 16 such fixtures with 12 victories and four draws being posted in the process.

Furthermore, Ange Postecoglou has formed a side that have scored 39 goals from 17 league matches, the most that Spurs have scored after that amount of league matches since 1963-64.

Written by
Darren Plant